D I M I T R I ’ S
RESCUE training series ( part 1 )
In this series , we will share the first-hand experience , my NORTHSEAKAYAK team , and I gained while training together with the Coast Guard , search and rescue assets and other vessels that may come to aid when the need arises .
Before starting , it is of the utmost importance that every sea kayaker trains and prepares to avoid getting into trouble in the first place and learn to paddle self-reliant , responsible , and safe . How well prepared we are , things can get ugly , and therefore we need to know what to do when we cannot solve a problem ourselves . This is what the series goes about ; things are going south , and this is what we can do when we need external help . Each article in this series will highlight a specific rescue together with some top tips ! Remember , reading an article does not replace proper training .
MAYDAY-MAYDAY-MAYDAY ! When out on open water , together with a group ( but I prefer a team , there ' s a significant difference ) or alone , make sure you always carry a means to call for help ! This is probably the thing we hear most from professional rescuers we trained together with . Our advice is even more to the point ; carry it on your person , not in your kayak . We get a lot of questions from other paddlers asking us what we prefer . Let ' s highlight some of the best pieces of equipment for the job ! We put them in order of which we activate first in case of emergency .
PERSONAL LOCATOR BEACON ( PLB ) This is a small device the size of a cell phone , easy to put in your PFD . Its sole purpose is to make the distress call . We ' re using the FastFind220 . It ’ s waterproof , it can take a beating , and it will work if everything else fails . The battery lasts for six years . There is a test button so you can check if everything still works on a regular base . It also contains a GPS beacon . A PLB is easy to activate , even when you ' re a bit in a panic . It will emit a 406Mhz signal to a network of satellites . These will pick up your distress signal , together with your current position ( gained from the GPS beacon ). All this information will flow through via a ground station to the nearest SAR service , in our case , primarily the Coast Guard . As long as the PLB remains active , your location will be updated ( important when you ' re drifting away with the current / wind ). Until now , you did not get confirmation from Coast Guard when your signal was picked up . The new generation FastFind220 PLBs will have an extra blue light that will confirm that help is on the way ( interesting item for a separate article ).
Top tip : make sure your PLB is registered ( free of charge ) on the following website :
www . 406registration . com . That way , SAR services will know who they are dealing with . PLB can be used everywhere , so not only for sea kayaking and even in remote areas . The FastFind220 also has a homing beacon built-in , perfect for SAR services when closing in on your position .