"i" ll Be Back ..."--make Certain You Are: Sit-on-top Kayak Safety
Kayaking is a great deal of entertainment--but it can easily have its risks. Sit-on-top kayak safety ought to be the second concern after selecting your kayak.
Your basic concern must be to get a trustworthy kayak. Almost every Ocean Kayak Frenzy review remarks on the durability of the kayak and the excellent stability of the Frenzy Kayak. On the other hand, some evaluations of the Sevylor QuickPak Coverless Sit-On-Top Kayak point out that it lacks stability and is made with poor quality control and materials so that it seems at risk of deflating in the middle of a lake or stream.
When you have a quality kayak, there are three leading safety concerns to bear in mind:
1. You are a boat.
This means you have to follow all Coast Guard and other authority's rules for the water where you are paddling. Most importantly, wear a personal flotation device (PFD). There are PFD's designed for kayaks and made for your shape. Get a comfy one and use it.
You also need to abide by all other navigation and boating rules--especially critical in spots with high marine traffic. Then keep a careful eye. Power boats and larger sailboats might not see you, or may not be able to steer clear of you, if they see you too late. Know where they are and stay clear. Take a regional boating safety course, if you are new to the water, or simply new to those particular waters.
2. Know the environmental conditions.
Water temperature is below body temperature, even in Samoan lagoons. Prepare to keep warm, if you wind up in the water for longer than you intend. Take into consideration a wet- or perhaps even dry-suit for conditions in the 60-degrees and lower range. Have a water-proof hooded coat available, or at the very least a long-sleeved shirt (which will additionally help cut sunburn).
Individual comfort is vital. Use copious water-resistant sunscreen (a shot-glass full) even on a cloudy day. Bring much more water than you expect to drink. If the water you are in is really clean, you might carry water purification tablets and disinfect it, but that should perhaps be saved for unexpected emergency conditions.
Know the coastline and landing conditions. Ask the locals, before you go into the water. Underwater currents can make the most benign landing treacherous. Prevailing winds can easily escalate the hazards of coming back to your launching point.
Review the weather forecast and check with local boaters, if in a brand-new spot. You need to dress for the elements, at the least. Prepare for the worst--you can always remove clothing layers.
3. Plan for emergencies
First, practice self-rescue techniques in quiet, then less cooperative water conditions. To re-enter a sit-on-top kayak utilize the BBF method--Bellybutton, Backside, Feet. Face the kayak, grasp the far side just forward of the cockpit/seat. Let your feet float up and pull your Bellybutton across the craft. Twist your Backside into the seat. Move your Feet into the foot well. Practice until you do not need to think about it.
Make a Plan B--simply in case. Locate (far better, ask locals for) an alternate landing. Unexpectedly high waters, winds, a rainstorm, etc. can hinder your return to the launch site. Communicate that Plan B, along with Plan An expected return times to a person who is not with you.
Take your cellular phone in a water-proof bag (and lash it securely to the kayak). Keep it on. The built-in GPS could be necessary for anybody looking for you, if things do not go according to Plan A.
If you follow these strategies, sit-on-top kayak safety will come to be a natural part of your excursions--and you will be back--back home and back on the water.
Your basic concern must be to get a trustworthy kayak. Almost every Ocean Kayak Frenzy review remarks on the durability of the kayak and the excellent stability of the Frenzy Kayak. On the other hand, some evaluations of the Sevylor QuickPak Coverless Sit-On-Top Kayak point out that it lacks stability and is made with poor quality control and materials so that it seems at risk of deflating in the middle of a lake or stream.
When you have a quality kayak, there are three leading safety concerns to bear in mind:
1. You are a boat.
This means you have to follow all Coast Guard and other authority's rules for the water where you are paddling. Most importantly, wear a personal flotation device (PFD). There are PFD's designed for kayaks and made for your shape. Get a comfy one and use it.
You also need to abide by all other navigation and boating rules--especially critical in spots with high marine traffic. Then keep a careful eye. Power boats and larger sailboats might not see you, or may not be able to steer clear of you, if they see you too late. Know where they are and stay clear. Take a regional boating safety course, if you are new to the water, or simply new to those particular waters.
2. Know the environmental conditions.
Water temperature is below body temperature, even in Samoan lagoons. Prepare to keep warm, if you wind up in the water for longer than you intend. Take into consideration a wet- or perhaps even dry-suit for conditions in the 60-degrees and lower range. Have a water-proof hooded coat available, or at the very least a long-sleeved shirt (which will additionally help cut sunburn).
Individual comfort is vital. Use copious water-resistant sunscreen (a shot-glass full) even on a cloudy day. Bring much more water than you expect to drink. If the water you are in is really clean, you might carry water purification tablets and disinfect it, but that should perhaps be saved for unexpected emergency conditions.
Know the coastline and landing conditions. Ask the locals, before you go into the water. Underwater currents can make the most benign landing treacherous. Prevailing winds can easily escalate the hazards of coming back to your launching point.
Review the weather forecast and check with local boaters, if in a brand-new spot. You need to dress for the elements, at the least. Prepare for the worst--you can always remove clothing layers.
3. Plan for emergencies
First, practice self-rescue techniques in quiet, then less cooperative water conditions. To re-enter a sit-on-top kayak utilize the BBF method--Bellybutton, Backside, Feet. Face the kayak, grasp the far side just forward of the cockpit/seat. Let your feet float up and pull your Bellybutton across the craft. Twist your Backside into the seat. Move your Feet into the foot well. Practice until you do not need to think about it.
Make a Plan B--simply in case. Locate (far better, ask locals for) an alternate landing. Unexpectedly high waters, winds, a rainstorm, etc. can hinder your return to the launch site. Communicate that Plan B, along with Plan An expected return times to a person who is not with you.
Take your cellular phone in a water-proof bag (and lash it securely to the kayak). Keep it on. The built-in GPS could be necessary for anybody looking for you, if things do not go according to Plan A.
If you follow these strategies, sit-on-top kayak safety will come to be a natural part of your excursions--and you will be back--back home and back on the water.
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