EQUIPMENT IN AN EMERGENCY! IS MY CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT SUITABLE FOR TODAY’S CONDITIONS?

• Wear the right clothing for the season If you’re fi shing: and conditions, such as a suitable • Consider using a leash. wetsuit/drysuit and layered clothing. • Beware of overloading your with • When sea take: gear – it’ll be harder to self-right than - a means of calling for help on your person you think. - tow line • Navigational aids, rod holder and other - knife attached to your buoyancy aid equipment should be stowed before - spare split paddle, on the deck surfi ng or landing in surf. - pump - waterproof torch • Only use anchors in areas with little - sunhat/sunglasses/sunscreen or no current and stow securely when not - spare clothing in use. - basic fi rst aid kit If you can’t reach a means of calling USING A MOBILE PHONE: - repair kit for help, help can’t reach you. Call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard. - helmet (for the surf or rock gardens) If you need help, here’s what to do. - food and water. While you are waiting for help, stay with your kayak – you make a larger target USING A VHF RADIO: for search and rescue teams. WEATHER AND TIDES PLANNING 1. Press Channel 16 button. If you can get your body even partially HAVE I CHECKED THE WEATHER AND TIDES DOES SOMEBODY KNOW WHERE I’M GOING 2. Activate DSC alert if fi tted. out of the water, it’ll signifi cantly TODAY AND PLANNED MY TRIP ACCORDINGLY? AND WHEN I’LL BE BACK? increase your survival time. 3. Press and hold transmit button and say: • Check the weather and the tides before • Tell someone on land where you are Mayday, mayday, mayday. you set out – try UKHO Easytide. Be aware going and what time you’ll be back. This is ... [your name 3 times]. of wind strength, especially offshore winds • Paddle in a group where possible. Call sign ... MMSI ... (where the wind is blowing out to sea). Most kayaking fatalities • The RYA or ISA SafeTrx app can be used to Mayday, [your name]. • If venturing away from the beach, seek log, track and send alerts about your trip. Call sign ... MMSI ... involve people who local expert knowledge, such as from the Harbourmaster or lifeguards. 4. My position is … [describe position didn’t have their means KAYAKING SAFETY: and give GPS location if possible]. of calling for help on GUIDANCE FROM THE RNLI TRAINING 5. We are … [describe the nature of distress, the assistance required, their person and RNLI.org/kayaking DO I HAVE APPROPRIATE TRAINING number of people and craft followed AND/OR EXPERIENCE FOR THIS TRIP? by any further information]. within reach. • Get some training to develop your skills 6. Say over and wait for a response. – contact your local or kayaking RNLI.org/kayaking club and look for coaching sessions/paddle 7. If no response – repeat procedure. awards run by British or Canoeing Ireland coaches. KNOW WHAT TO DO • Learn and practice self rescue techniques The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea Photos: to get back onboard your kayak, in case VISIT Royal National Lifeboat Institution, a charity registered in England and Wales (209603), RNLI/(Josh Cooper, Nigel Millard, Nathan Williams) RNLI.org/kayaking Scotland (SC037736), the Republic of Ireland (20003326), the Bailiwick of Jersey (14), you capsize (consider using a paddle fl oat). the Isle of Man, the Bailiwick of Guernsey and Alderney © RNLI 2019 PREVENTING DROWNING TOGETHER CS045E BEFORE YOU PADDLE AWAY, COMMUNICATION BUOYANCY BE SEEN MAKE SURE YOU: CAN I REACH MY COMMUNICATION DEVICE IF I CAPSIZE? AM I WEARING A BUOYANCY AID? IS MY KAYAK VISIBLE? Always carry a means of calling for help and keep it on your person. • Wearing a well-fi tted, well-maintained Whenever you’re on the water, your If you can’t reach it in an emergency it’s no help. and suitable buoyancy aid could save visibility is important. But during a rescue, your life. it can be a lifesaver. Increase your visibility by sticking SOLAS-approved refl ective ALWAYS CARRY A • When choosing a buoyancy aid, check tape to your kayak and paddle and MEANS OF CALLING product labelling for weight and size displaying appropriate lights if out at dusk FOR HELP AND KEEP guidance, fi t by adjusting the straps, or night time. IT ON YOUR PERSON then lift from the shoulders. It should not be possible to move the buoyancy aid. If it slides up, try a different style or WEAR YOUR tighter fi t. BUOYANCY AID • Choose a brightly coloured one that can be easily spotted. Make sure it has enough pockets to store your calling for help device and any other equipment. Attach a whistle on a lanyard, and at CHECK THE WEATHER night attach a small strobe light. AND TIDES

MOBILE WATERPROOF PHONE HANDHELD DSC VHF TELL SOMEONE ELSE • Keep your mobile in a waterproof pouch, • Keep it on your person. WHERE YOU’RE GOING AND on your person. • If possible, buy a DSC-equipped radio. WHEN YOU’LL BE BACK • Smartphones can provide a location, but This transmits a recognised emergency emergency calls should be made by voice – signal, and also your location. BE IDENTIFIED call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard. • Requires an operator’s licence, a ship’s DISPLAY AN ID STICKER WEAR APPROPRIATE • If you’re struggling to make an emergency radio licence (free online in the UK) and a CLOTHING FOR THE call, try holding the phone on the other Maritime Mobile Service Identity number, This ID sticker will save time – and potentially your life – in a rescue situation. Having your CONDITIONS AND side of your head, as this may be enough to which comes with the ship’s radio licence. basic information allows others to raise the alarm and track you down if they fi nd your YOUR TRIP block the signal. PERSONAL LOCATOR kayak unattended. • You can also try sending a text to 999 or BEACON (PLB) If you lose your gear whilst you’re out please tell the Coastguard. That way they 112 (if preregistered) if the phone signal is • Keep it on your person. will know that you’re safe and won’t launch a search for you. GET SOME TRAINING weak as a text may get through. • A recognised emergency signal, it’s AND PADDLE WITHIN • Download and use the RYA or ISA SafeTrx manually activated only and should be HOW TO USE AND APPLY IT YOUR LIMITS app to log, track and send alerts about registered with the Coastguard. We recommend placing the sticker within the hatch of your kayak, where it’s dry but fairly your trip. This free app monitors your visible. Make sure the kayak’s surface is completely clean and dry. If the surface is cold to • Not all PLBs inherently fl oat and the unit journeys and alerts emergency contacts if the touch, warm it slightly with a hairdryer or heat gun. Peel the backing paper off the ID needs to be held out of water to transmit. you fail to return home on time. sticker, position it and smooth down slowly to prevent air bubbles. • It can also be used on land in areas where no phone signal is available and it transmits WRITE WITH A PERMANENT MARKER For more tips go to: for 24+ hours. RNLI.org/ChooseItWearIt