RAMS - Kayaking

Potential Risks (the things that could go wrong)

  1. Taken by current
  2. Drowning
  3. Loss of equipment
  4. Loss of confidence
  5. Injury from other student’s paddles
  6. Hypothermia
  7. Head injury

Causal Factors

Management Strategies

Hazards caused by people

Risks not known

Instructions not followed

Inability to swim

Colliding with another surfer

Students getting separated from the group

Personal medical conditions/special needs

Students too far out of their comfort zone

Lack of skill - students

Students getting separated from the group

Lack of skill - instructors/teachers

Students putting spray decks on with emergency tag

on the inside

Rolling kayaks in shallow water and/or near rocks


Hazards caused by equipment

Spray decks not fitting kayaks

No PFD

Poorly fitted PFD

Boat inadequate

Inadequate safety equipment


Sharp edges on paddles


Hazards caused by the environment

Sharp rocks at shore in places

Current in channel



Deep water

Dumping waves

Large swell

Extreme weather

Tsunami


Sun - UV damage

Prolonged exposure to cold water

Hazard management strategies

Brief students on risks

Students to follow all instructions

Ensure that all students are competent swimmers

Teach students surfing etiquette regarding catching waves and what to do to avoid collisions

Monitor student whereabouts, students to stay in designated area

Medical information obtained and understood by trip leader. Students to have their medications on hand

Encourage challenge by choice

Train students at school, sequence activities to allow for success and growth

Use a buddy system, ensure the trip leaders have excellent group management

Instructors/teachers to have sufficient knowledge, skills, and experience to lead the trip

Students to be well-practiced with putting spray decks on correctly. Students to buddy-check each other


Educate students to only roll their kayak where it's deep enough, away from rocks and submerged rocks


Hazard management strategies

Check that each kayak has a spray deck that fits before departing

Add all equipment to a pre-trip checklist, and tick them off as they're loaded

Check PFDs fitted properly

Check all boats and safety equipment prior to trip

All instructors to carry a rope to tow weak paddlers from being swept away, at least one first aid kit to be carried

and at least two trained first aiders

Educate students on correct use of equipment


Hazard management strategies

Inform students about the sharp rocks and oyster shells around rocks. Keep off those

Disclose risks around the channel and currents

Set up boundaries

Set entry and exit point on beach

Make sure students are confident in deep water

Ensure that the kayak trip is performed in sheltered water, such as at Reotahi Marine Reserve in Whangarei

Harbour

Postpone trip in case of extreme weather events

Stay up to date with current events regarding earthquakes and tsunami risk. Get to high ground if tsunami alarm is

sounded

Bring sunscreen, ensure that students know where it is and to apply it regularly

Monitor students, wear wetsuits when the water is cold. Have regular breaks to eat and hydrate

Emergency Protocols (if management strategies fail and an incident happens)

Risk

1. Taken by current

2. Drowning

3. Loss of equipment

4. Loss of confidence

5. Injury from other

student’s paddles

6. Hypothermia

7. Head injury

Procedures to deal with emergency

Instructor to tow swept-out student to shore, then paddle back

Bring casualty to shore, give first aid/CPR, call 111. Continue CPR until help arrives

Retrieve if possible, replace if not

Coach and support student

Apply first aid, seek medical attention if needed


Remove wet clothing, dry the person, give them warm clothes, feed them, and hydrate them

Apply first aid, stop bleeding, seek medical attention

Emergency gear required

Tow rope

Face shield, Cell phone

Nil

Nil

First aid kit


Nil

First aid kit