Risk Assessment
The four lines of defense in safety are:
1. Planning*
2. Physical and mental skills
3. Self and assisted rescue
4. Outside rescue
http://www.expeditionkayak.com/resources/risk-assessment/
PADDLE LEG
1. Sennen Cove to St Martin’s,
Isles of Scilly (22.5 NM crossing)
HAZARDS
1(a) Tidal race,
over-falls and reefs
between Land’s
End and
Longships1(b)
Shipping Channels
1(c) Seven Stones
Reefs
1(d) Being taken
too far N or S
Risk
prior to
controls
H/M/L
CONTROL MEASURES TO
BE IMPLEMENTED
H
M
M
H
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 collisionwarning flares readily available.
Have immediate access to VHF Ch
161(c) Pass well to the S of Seven
Stones
1(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
Risk with
controls in
place
H/M/L
M
L
L
M
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
TIDE
YOU!
SWELL
WEATHER
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
TOTAL POINTS =
Divide total points by 20 to obtain CLASS LEVEL =
(10+)
RISK ASSESSMENT – Check List
WEATHER
BIG PICTURE - SYNOPSIS
• Improving
• Worsening
WIND
 Speed (Now / Later)
 Direction (Now / Later)
 On Shore
 Off Shore
 Relation to currents
RAIN / SUN
 Temperature
 Psychology
VISIBILITY
 Fog
 Night/Dusk
THUNDERSTORMS
LAND
LANDSCAPE
 Terrain
 Remoteness
OUTS
 Roads
 Help
LANDINGS
 Swell
 Beach Type
 Tide
WILDLIFE/OTHER HAZARDS
OTHER FACTORS
SUNRISE/SUNSET
VHF COVERAGE
WATER
SWELL
• Size
• Period
• Direction
WIND WAVES
 On Shore
 Off Shore
 In relation to Currents
TIDES
 High
 Low
 Range
 Relation to off shore boomers
 Relation to on shore break
CURRENTS
• Speed
• Direction
• Relation to wind waves
• Relation to Swell
• Relation to Races and Over falls
BOAT TRAFFIC AND SHIPPING
INDIVDIUALS
LEADER(S)
 Appropriately qualified for conditions
 Attitude to risk
 Ability to deal with emergency
GROUP
• Ability to deal with conditions
STRENGTH
 Physical
 Mental
 Skills
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT
• Body
• Boat
• Safety
• Visibility
HEALTH CONCERNS
Float Notes
Number in Group:
Names:
Wind:
HW:
Slack:
Slack:
Heading 1:
Heading 2:
Actual Time of Departure:
Latest Return Time:
Turn Around Time:
VHF Working Channel:
Notes:
Swell:
LW:
Max Flood:
Max Ebb:
Reciprocal:
Reciprocal:
FLOAT PLAN
If 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?
Managing an Incident
C – Collect your thoughts
A – Assess the complete situation and formulate a plan with a back up
M – Manage yourself first, the rest of the group, then the casualty
E – Execute plan A
R – Review the incident in context and as a whole
A – Assess plan A’s effectiveness and modify it given the evolving situation
Rescue priorities:
• Manage yourself first
• Secure the rest of the group
• Extricate the distressed paddler
• Rehabilitate the paddler
Open Water Trip Leader / Instructor
Equipment List
Here 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 Jacket
VHF Radio
Whistle
Knife
Compass (hand-held)
Flashlight/Headlamp/Light Stick
Strobe
1 x Orange Smoke Flare
Personal Locator Beacon
Hydration Bladder
Energy Gels
Short Tow System
Day Hatch
Lunch including group snack
Water
Minor boat repair (bituthene/butyl
adhesive tape)
Storm Cag
First Aid Kit
Additional Flares (Rocket and
Smoke)
Neoprene Gloves
Balaclava/Skull Cap
Main Hatches
Group Shelter
Survival Blanket
Extra Water
Dry Thermal Wear
Comprehensive Repair Kit
Float Bags
Boat
Spares Paddles
Pump
Paddlefloat
Chart/Map
Float Notes
Deck Compass
Long 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
What if….!
Thanks to: