The Paddler Magazine Issue 61 Late Summer 2021 | Page 20

VHF RADIO A wee bigger than most cell phones but also fits in the pockets of your PFD . We are using the Standard Horizon HX300 VHF . This one floats , emits a red light when dropped overboard ( we already wrote a full review in a previous issue of the Paddler ) and is fully waterproof . When calling for help , you will reach every other station ( on the same channel , which should be 16 ) in your radius . If it is the Coast Guard ; perfect ! If it ’ s another vessel , they can come over to help you awaiting the SAR services and relay your message to the Coast Guard . It ’ s a twoway device , so you will know if and when help is on the way .
Top tip : make sure you are familiar with using this , follow proper training . In some countries , a certificate is mandatory after passing an exam . Same for registration ; make sure to check this before use . A portable VHF has a limited range ; check this before heading out in remote areas . Make sure the battery is fully charged . Do you know your location ? Some rescue vessels and helicopters have a homing device onboard , making it easy to see where your signal is coming from ( of course when broadcasting ). That way , they can find you even easier and thus faster .
CELL / MOBILE PHONE A cell phone can be fine if you put it in a waterproof pouch and operate it without removing that pouch . You will be able to make a call to only one contact at a time , and this should be the 112-emergency number ! To consider , is there coverage everywhere you go ? Do you know your exact location ? Battery fully charged ? This is a two-way device ; you will know help is on the way . 112 developed an app , which gives your exact location to the emergency services when making the call via that app . Check if that is also the case in your country .
PYROTECHNICS AND ELECTRONIC FLARES Parachute / rocket flares are well visible , even during daylight . They are mostly too big to carry on your person . They are charged with explosives , and therefore you need to know what you are doing when firing one . Handheld flares are intended to attract attention when emergency services are already alerted via other means . A significant improvement is the electronic flares ( like the ODEO Distress Flare we are carrying with us ), harmless , and they can ‘ burn ’ for hours in a row .
Matters to consider : l Will your rocket flare be seen by anyone ( other boaters around your position , people on the beach ?). l Will it be seen in time ; the flare only lasts about 60 seconds ? Will other people recognise this as a distress signal ? l How many do you carry ? A flare is a ‘ one-way ’ device . The chances are that you won ’ t know if anyone has seen your distress signal .
Other things to attract attention are beneficial but are not considered ‘ means to call for help ’. We use a whistle for inter-group rescues , for example . For all our onboard safety equipment , we refer to the video SEA KAYAK SAFETY EQUIPMENT : http :// www . youtube . com / watch ? v = 8ooxwC6pu-I .
When doing your Mayday / distress call : 1 . Keep your communication loud , clear . 2 . Speak at a normal rate . 3 . Start by telling who you are ( sea kayaker ), your exact position , the nature of the incident and the number of team members .
THE COASTAL RESCUE SERVICE Let me introduce the IKWV ( Intercommunale Kustreddingsdienst West-Vlaanderen )! This is a temporary rescue service that always operates during the summer period along the Belgian coast . They work only during the daytime to keep an eye on the safety of swimmers , tourists , and water users closer to shore . They are stationed on the beaches , patrolling both on foot and their small RHIBs ( Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat ), where every member has gone through thorough training and passed an exam for this . We have built an excellent bond with the chief lifesaver Vincent and his crew from rescue station De Panne during the years . We conduct at least once a year a proper rescue exercise , mostly even more . We learn from each other during those exercises , so it is a win-win situation .
By now , we have conducted numerous exercises , and although they usually operate close to shore , they ' re always eager to train with us between 1-3km offshore . The reason for this is that the scenarios we train are , for us , being sea kayakers , more realistic . Also , the feeling is completely different . Imagine losing contact with your kayak 3km offshore ?
AWAITING ARRIVAL SAR SERVICE Try to stay in or close to your kayak . If you are in a group , make a raft if possible . Make sure you have a 360 ° coverage ; we always make sure that at least one kayak points in the opposite direction than the other kayaks in the raft . Be sure of your surroundings ; are you in open water or near cliffs , rocks , or a busy shipping lane ? Keep your PLB out of the water and operational . Keep an eye out for extra communication on the VHF . Point out one team member to perform this task so the others can keep a lookout and / or take care of the casualty .
When in the water after a capsize and loss of kayak ( therefore , we are a real advocate of tethering yourself to it with a short tow line ), team up and only swim towards your kayak if you are absolutely sure you can make it . We have tested this many times , and it is nearly impossible to swim after a kayak adrift in most cases . The swimmer is IN the water ; the kayak lies ON the water . Therefore , the tidal stream affects the swimmer ' s movement , where the kayak will be affected by wind and waves . Imagine that the tidal stream goes in the opposite direction of the wind ! No chance you will get back to your craft .