Safety

Safety

Wear a PFD! Personal flotation devices prevent drowning and are required on all North Sound Sea Kayaking Association outings. Many retailers sell life jackets specifically designed for kayaking. Some boat launch areas have a loaner life jacket program. Check here for more information.

Hypothermia, Drowning and Cold-Water Survival. Know your limits and dress for immersion while kayaking. Drysuits or wetsuits are required on most NSSKA outings.

If the forecast is for 10 knot winds, what type of conditions should you expect on the water? Check out the Beaufort Wind Scale.

Are you looking for wind? Find it at Windfinder!

Cold water by definition is water 59ºF and less. The water in the Puget Sound remains cold year round. Check here for average temperatures.

Tides and currents must be accounted for when planning a trip in the Sound. Here’s a handy tool for predicting tides and currents.

Here’s another super cool tool to check out currents! NOAA Charts with animated tides and currents. (Requires Microsoft Silverlight).

Check out river flows at the USGS Washington Water Science Center page.