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

PADDLE LEG HAZARDS Risk prior to controls H/M/L CONTROL MEASURES TO BE IMPLEMENTED Risk with controls in place H/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 Reefs 1(d) Being taken too far N or S HMMHHMMH 1(a) Begin crossing HW Devonport 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 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 MLLMMLLM

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) Factor Computation MethodPointsScore (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 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: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 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?

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 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 / 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

Thanks to: What if….!