RAMS - Sea Kayaking
RAMS - Sea Kayaking
COVID19 - There have been changes to Outdoor Education Trip Dates.
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
Students not knowing what to do if their kayak
rolls
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 and around islands
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 use buddy system and stay with the group
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
Teach students what to do in case of a kayak roll over, e.g wet exit
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. Have a plan to use currents to our advantage. 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 within 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
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