Risk Assessment

The four lines of defense in safety are:

1. Planning*2. Physical and mental skills3. Self and assisted rescue4. Outside rescue

http://www.expeditionkayak.com/resources/risk-assessment/

PADDLE LEG HAZARDS

Risk prior to control

sH/M/L

CONTROL MEASURES TO BE IMPLEMENTED

Risk with controls in

placeH/M/L

1. Sennen Cove to St Martin’s, Isles of Scilly (22.5 NM crossing)

1(a) Tidal race, over-falls and reefs between Land’s End and Longships1(b) Shipping Channels 1(c) Seven Stones Reefs1(d) Being taken too far N or S

HMMH

1(a) Begin crossing HW Devonport +0300. Stay well north of Longships 1(b) Only attempt the crossing with good visibility. Cross at right angles. Always pass astern of any vessels. Have collision-warning flares readily available. Have immediate access to VHF Ch 161(c) Pass well to the S of Seven Stones1(d) Make allowances for wind and wave conditions. Maintain steady pace throughout crossing. Double check position and course with GPS using waypoints during crossing. Only attempt crossing in good visibility. Only attempt crossing when wind is in sector N to SE < F5, SE to NE < F4. Stay N of flight path of helicopters.Only attempt if 5 day forecast is satisfactory and gives realistic prospect of completing return crossing. If forecast is unsatisfactory consider aborting crossing (may be attempted again at end of expedition)Escort vessel to be on stand-by in case of a problem

MLLM

Journeys

1. Alcatraz and back from Horseshoe Bay

2. Rodeo Beach and back from Horseshoe Bay

3. Nick’s Cove to Bird Rock (Tomales Pt) and back

4. Davenport Landing to Santa Cruz (one way)

5. Santa Cruz to Monterey (one way!)

•HAZARDS

•CONTROL MEASURES

WIND

WEATHERSWELL

TIDE

YOU!

Sea Conditions Rating System (SCRS)http://tsunamirangers.com/articles/sea-conditions-kayaking-difficulty-rating-system/

Factor Computation Method PointsScore

(Maximum)

1- Wind Speed 1 point per mph of wind speed (40)

2- Wind Speed 1 point per mph of wind speed (50+)

3- Wave Height 2 points per vertical wave foot (40+)

4- Swim Distance to Safety 1 point per 100 meters (20)

5- Breaking Waves 30 points if waves are breaking (30)

6- Rock Garden 20 points if paddling in rocks (20)

7- Sea Cave 20 points if entering sea caves (20)

8- Night 20 points if it is night (20)

9- Fog Up to 20 points if fog is dense (20)

10- Miscellaneous 10 points or more for other danger (10+)

TOTAL POINTS =

Divide total points by 20 to obtain CLASS LEVEL =

RISK ASSESSMENT – Check List

WEATHERBIG PICTURE - SYNOPSIS• Improving• WorseningWIND Speed (Now / Later) Direction (Now / Later) On Shore Off Shore Relation to currentsRAIN / SUN Temperature PsychologyVISIBILITY Fog Night/DuskTHUNDERSTORMSLANDLANDSCAPE Terrain RemotenessOUTS Roads HelpLANDINGS Swell Beach Type TideWILDLIFE/OTHER HAZARDSOTHER FACTORSSUNRISE/SUNSETVHF COVERAGE

WATERSWELL• Size• Period• DirectionWIND WAVES On Shore Off Shore In relation to CurrentsTIDES High Low Range Relation to off shore boomers Relation to on shore breakCURRENTS• Speed• Direction• Relation to wind waves• Relation to Swell• Relation to Races and Over fallsBOAT TRAFFIC AND SHIPPINGINDIVDIUALSLEADER(S) Appropriately qualified for conditions Attitude to risk Ability to deal with emergencyGROUP• Ability to deal with conditionsSTRENGTH Physical Mental SkillsPERSONAL EQUIPMENT• Body• Boat• Safety• VisibilityHEALTH CONCERNS

Float Notes

Number in Group:Names:

Wind: Swell:

HW: LW:

Slack: Max Flood:Slack: Max Ebb:

Heading 1: Reciprocal:Heading 2: Reciprocal:

Actual Time of Departure:Latest Return Time:Turn Around Time:

VHF Working Channel:

Notes:

FLOAT PLANIf we do not report in by ______________AM/PM

on _______________________ (Time Date)

Please call: __________________________________ OR

________________________________

Emergency/Search Agency Phone

Report us as overdue/missing and provide

the following information:

KAYAKERS:

Names

Age/Gender

Phone

Kayak colors (deck/hull)

PFD colors

Paddling clothes

colors (top/pants)

Skill level

Medical info

Float Plan

SIGNALING DEVICES

❏ Handheld flares

❏ Aerial flares

❏ Smoke

❏ Strobe

❏ Flashlights

❏ Chemical light sticks

❏ Camera flash

❏ Signal mirror

❏ Markers

❏ EPIRB

LAUNCH SITE:_________________________________________

__________________________ _________________________

Date Time AM/PM

VEHICLE:

__________________________ _________________________

Year/make/model/color License number

FINAL LANDING SITE:__________________________________

__________________________ _________________________

Date Time AM/PM

SHUTTLE VEHICLE (if applicable):

__________________________ _________________________

Year/make/model/color License number

COMMUNICATIONS

❏ VHF radio Call sign __________________________

❏ Cell phone Number _________________________

Hours of daily monitoring_____________________

EQUIPMENT

❏ Tent(s) Colors _______________________________

❏ First-aid kit

❏ Fire-starting materials

Water for _______ days

Food for _______ days

PROPOSED ROUTE, CAMPSITES, AND ALTERNATIVES:

GEAR CARRIED ONBOARD:

C.L.A.P. The C.L.A.P. principles form the basis of a dynamic risk assessment process. This process of risk identification and appropriate controlling action should conducted throughout the journey.

Communication Line of Sight Avoidance is better than cure Position of Maximum Usefulness

Communication • Signals should be agreed in advance. • KISS (Keep It Short and Simple)

Line of Sight • Always endeavor to have your fellow paddlers in your line of sight. • Do not all leave a place of safety to deal with a rescue. Send a capable rescuer and

maintain line of sight using a chain of paddlers.

Avoidance is better than cure • Create an atmosphere of mutual support within your group.• It is not enough to just ask someone: “How do you feel?”• If the intent is not to avoid, then be AWARE!

Position of Maximum Usefulness• When protecting a feature, capable paddlers should position themselves so as to cover

the highest risk. • This usually means covering the problems that are most likely to occur, rather than the

most dangerous hazard.• Where can you put yourself to be ready to go?

C – Collect your thoughtsA – Assess the complete situation and formulate a plan with a back upM – Manage yourself first, the rest of the group, then the casualtyE – Execute plan AR – Review the incident in context and as a wholeA – Assess plan A’s effectiveness and modify it given the evolving situation

Managing an Incident

Rescue priorities:

• Manage yourself first

• Secure the rest of the group

• Extricate the distressed paddler

• Rehabilitate the paddler

Open Water Trip Leader / InstructorEquipment ListHere is a list of equipment that should be carried by a trip leader or instructor when leading a group on open water such as San Francisco Bay or the Open Coast

Life JacketVHF RadioWhistleKnife Compass (hand-held)Flashlight/Headlamp/Light StickStrobe1 x Orange Smoke FlarePersonal Locator BeaconHydration BladderEnergy GelsShort Tow SystemDay HatchLunch including group snackWaterMinor boat repair (bituthene/butyl adhesive tape)Storm CagFirst Aid KitAdditional Flares (Rocket and Smoke)Neoprene GlovesBalaclava/Skull Cap

Main HatchesGroup ShelterSurvival BlanketExtra WaterDry Thermal WearComprehensive Repair KitFloat BagsBoatSpares PaddlesPumpPaddlefloatChart/MapFloat NotesDeck CompassLong Tow System (waist or deck mounted)

Scenarios

1. Injured swimmer recovery from cave or rocks.

2. Damaged kayak

3. Unconscious paddler in kayak

4. Unconscious swimmer

Thanks to:

What if….!