Safety Instructions

Safety instructions – Lifeplan Kajak & Friluftsliv

Safety instructions for Kayak & SUP

Lifeplan Kajak & Friluftsliv
Østre Havnevej 47
5700 Svendborg, Denmark

Prepared: by Frederik Laursen based on the Danish Maritime Authority’s guidelines

Which vessel does this safety instruction apply to?

This safety instruction applies to rowing/paddling in sea kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, SUP

Identification of the shipowner

The rescuers are the person or organization that has ownership of the sailing activity.
This means that if the activity, such as an educational activity, a guided tour or other activity in kayak or SUP, is initiated by Lifeplan Kajak & Friluftsliv, it is this person who is the owner and thus has the responsibility.
In the case of a person, group or organization that has rented kayaks and equipment from Lifeplan Kajak & Friluftsliv, it is always this person, group or organization that is the owner who has full responsibility.
Therefore, it is also important that this person, group or organization that rents equipment has read and understood these Safety Instructions.

Sailing activities

It is always the responsibility of the shipowner to check that the following is in order before the activity on the water:

That the equipment is intact and in order.
That the deck hatch to the stowage compartment is securely closed
That the deck line, footrests and rudder/skeg are intact
that the individual or group has the necessary equipment with them:
An intact and well-functioning kayak/SUP
Proper clothing that corresponds to the weather forecast and water temperature
One CE approved life jacket per person One paddle and an extra paddle on deck One spray skirt One paddle float Food, snacks and drinks Compass Communication tools e.g. a compass and wing
One paddle and an extra paddle on deck
A sprayskirt
A paddle float and bilge pump
Food, snacks and drinks
Compass and whistle
Communication device, e.g. a cell phone in a waterproof cover or drybag
that the weather forecast, water temperature and current conditions look reasonable in relation to the participant(s)’ abilities and clothing.
That the participants in the group have the required level of fitness and health for the conditions.
I.e. wind speed of max. 5 m/s corresponding to IPP2 level (beginner), and max. 8 m/s at IPP3 level.
If the water temperature is below 12 ͦ C and below, a dry suit will be required.
that a group of beginners preferably row/paddle close to the coast and only cross the strait under close supervision and when conditions allow!
that participants can swim a minimum of 200 meters.

Identification of risks

When rowing/paddling a kayak/SUP from Christiansminde, Frihavnen or Frederiksø in the Svendborg Sound, there are the following risks to be aware of:

1. Wind conditions, especially westerly winds with wind speeds above 6 m/s.
If wind conditions exceed 6 m/s, you must be vigilant if you do not have skills equivalent to at least IPP2 or above.
Wind creates waves, causing capsizing and drowning.
Similarly, offshore winds can blow rowers and vessels away from the group or out to sea.

2. Current conditions, which can be difficult to read without prior knowledge and can be tricky in Svendborgsund.
In strong currents of 2 knots (3.6 km/h) and above, you may experience strong reflex waves around piers, harbor inlets, floating docks and quays.
With strong reflex waves, capsizing will be a risk.
Strong currents can also slow down the pace so much that exhaustion will be a risk and especially under the Thuro Dam and Svendborgsund Bridge there will be an increased risk of exhaustion and capsizing, resulting in drowning.

3. Water temperatures. Hypothermia, or hypothermia, is probably the biggest danger for kayakers and SUP paddlers.
When capsizing in cold water and especially when staying in cool or cold water, the risk of hypothermia and drowning is high.
At water temperatures of 12 ͦ C and below, no activities are performed on the water for beginners.

4. Thunderstorms. Thunder and especially lightning strikes are particularly dangerous for kayakers and SUP paddlers as you are the highest point nearby.
Not least because the person and equipment are wet salt water which is conductive and often have a paddle made of either aluminum or carbon materials, both of which are conductive to lightning.
Fog.
When warm water and cold air meet, fog or sea spray often forms.
The fog can sometimes be so thick that visibility is less than 100 meters.
Such a situation can create a risk of disorientation, making it difficult to know your position and find your way.

6. Traffic. Traffic on Svendborgsund and in the South Funen Archipelago can sometimes be very heavy during the summer months.
Especially on the stretch between Iholm in the west to Grasten and Valdemarslot in the east, the traffic of larger boats, both sail and motor, and even commercial sailing traffic, such as ferries and coasters.
These boats/ships pose a real risk to smaller boaters such as kayakers and SUP paddlers.
The larger road users are often unable to see the smaller road users and especially when crossing the strait and thus the course of most other road users, there will be a risk of collision and collisions.

7. Skills & health. If you don’t have the necessary skills for the conditions, for example if the wind or current conditions are too strong for the participants’ forward rowing technique, or if your health does not allow for too much physical activity in relation to the agreed trip.
For example, if a participant suffers from poorly regulated diabetes or epilepsy, kayaking or SUP paddling could be downright dangerous, resulting in death by drowning.

There may be a risk that a participant is not telling the truth about their skill level, health or physical ability.

8. The smear. Equipment can fail or a defect can occur.
For example, a paddle can lose its blade or break, a deck hatch can disappear or rudder lines or footrests can fail.
In extreme cases, the kayak may also develop a hole in the kayak or a SUP may puncture.

Actions to mitigate risks

In wind and current conditions above the skill level, canceling the trip will be the obvious choice.
Often a reorganization of the trip, either by setting out somewhere on the coast where there is shelter or by planning the trip so that you row against the wind and current out and with the wind and current home, will be a better choice.

In strong currents, avoid piers and harbor inlets, as well as rowing under the Thuro Dam and Svendborgsund Bridge.

To avoid capsizing, always try to row in calm weather and don’t challenge yourself more than your skills allow, for example by learning self and buddy rescue.

You can always increase safety by rowing/paddling with an experienced rower/paddler who knows how to rescue each other.

In lightning and thunderstorms, stop the trip and seek safety at the nearest houses or cars.

If the water temperature is too cold, i.e. at 12 ͦ C and below, do not row/paddle unless you have the correct clothing in the form of a dry suit and neoprene boots, gloves and hat.

Always bring a compass in case you are surprised by fog.
Many people already have a compass in their GPS watch or as an app on a smartphone.
These are certainly better than nothing, but a real compass, either a scout compass or a compass mounted on the kayak is always preferable.

If you are crossing Svendborg Sound, you should always, as far as possible, do so in a group to make yourself more visible to the larger road users.
You should always cross the strait perpendicularly and take note of the crossing traffic beforehand so that you can time your crossing across the strait.

There is a risk of equipment failure or breakage, such as a broken paddle, lost paddle, missing deck hatch, hole in the kayak, etc.

Always carry a first aid kit in your kayak/SUP to deal with the most common injuries.
If you have health challenges, you should always have the necessary medication on hand to remedy a situation should it arise.

The instructor must never hesitate to cancel an activity if it is deemed that the conditions exceed the group’s abilities.

Description of the vessel and equipment

The kayaks used for all Lifeplan Kayak & Outdoor Life activities are all sea kayaks.
They are usually made of 3-layer LDPE.
These sea kayaks are very robust against shocks and impacts and are also relatively wide and flat-bottomed, which increases the primary stability and thus more beginner-friendly.
All kayaks are equipped with watertight bulkheads, one behind the seat and one in front of the feet, which together with the watertight deck hatches fore and aft, form the water and airtight storage compartments.
These stowage compartments are an essential part of safety and keep the sea kayak afloat in the event of capsizing.
The sea kayaks are equipped with deck lines from bow to stern, which are important for self- and partner rescues to make it easier to get back into the kayak in the event of capsizing.
The sea kayaks are equipped with cover straps to facilitate the attachment of additional equipment such as water bottles, maps and compasses.
Furthermore, the kayaks are equipped with footrests and lowering rudders that facilitate steering and directional stability of the kayak.

Every kayak comes with a paddle, a CE approved life jacket, a sprayskirt, a paddle float and a bilge pump.
The last two are only relevant if the person has learned to use them for self-rescue in the event of capsizing.

The SUPs used in all Lifeplan Kayak & Outdoor Life activities are of the inflatable type.
They are all relatively wide and robust and therefore beginner-friendly.
SUPs are equipped with a fixed fin at the stern to increase directional stability, front cover straps for attaching additional equipment, and an ankle line to ensure that the board does not float away from the person when capsizing.

Every SUP comes with a paddle, a CE approved life jacket and an ankle line.

The instructor

The instructor always brings:
Tow rope
Emergency rocket & flares
Mobile phone in waterproof cover
Paddle float & bilge pump
Whistle
Compass
Spare paddle
First aid kit
Repair kit

The crew and its skills

Requirements for participants

For Lifeplan Kajak & Friluftsliv’s activities, be it courses, guided tours, teambuilding and events, there are as such no requirements for the participants, other than a reasonably good health and an acceptable physical ability.
However, participants must be adults of at least 18 years of age or be accompanied by an adult.

However, these activities require trained instructors to provide the necessary training and instruction.
If an instructor has participants on the water with them, there can be a maximum of eight participants per instructor.
IPP2 instructor.
If the number of participants exceeds eight, there must be at least one additional IPP1 instructor per additional eight participants.

If the participants are experienced rowers/paddlers, corresponding to a skill level equivalent to IPP2, there are no restrictions on the number of participants in the group.
The responsible instructor must have a minimum skill level equivalent to IPP3 and instructor IPP2.

At the start of the activity, the skipper’s meeting always clarifies whether there are participants who may have health or physical challenges.
Furthermore, instructions are given about the duration of the trip, wind, current and weather conditions as well as where the trip is going, and that you row/paddle together as a group.

Competencies & skills

In Lifeplan Kayak & Outdoor Life’s activities, one of the aims is always to increase the participants’ competencies & self-skills.
As such, many of the events are aimed at beginners in kayaking and SUP.

When renting kayaks, it is the renter who is the owner and thus has the safety responsibility.
It is therefore the renter/owner who must ensure that all the above requirements for competencies and skills are met.
Behavior/conduct

It is the shipowner’s responsibility at all times to ensure that the participants exhibit the right behavior and conduct.
For example, to comply with the applicable maritime rules and good seamanship at all times.
This means, for example, showing the correct behavior towards other road users on the water, being helpful and alerting emergency services if someone is in distress.

It is also forbidden to be on the water in a kayak or SUP while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

Duties

You always have a duty to show the correct behavior towards other road users on the water, to be helpful and alert the emergency services if someone is in distress and in extreme cases by calling 112.

Operational precautions to be followed by crew and passengers

In principle, kayaking and SUP paddling can be done all year round.
However, the water temperature sets its limitations.
Thus, no kayaks are rented out and no courses, guided tours, team building and events for beginners are held when the water temperature is 12 ͦ C and below.

Most rowing/paddling takes place in the inner Svendborg Sound and it is recommended that kayak renters only row out to Iholm in the west and Valdemarslot in the east and around Thurø, unless otherwise agreed.

For all courses, guided tours, team building and events for beginners, the activities will always take place in the inner Svendborg Sound and rarely further west than the Svendborg Sound Bridge and out to Grasten in the east.

Unless otherwise agreed, rowing/paddling is always done in daylight, i.e. from sunrise to sunset.

For activities where Lifeplan Kayak & Outdoor Life is the owner, i.e. courses, guided tours, teambuilding and events mostly for beginners, there must be a maximum of eight participants per instructor.
IPP2 instructor.
If the number exceeds eight participants, there must be at least one additional IPP1 instructor for each additional eight participants.

It is also important that wind, weather and current conditions are always taken into account so that they do not exceed the group’s own skills.
I.e. at beginner level, the wind must not exceed 5 m/s.
For beginner events, it is sometimes possible to relocate the event so that it can take place on a coast in the lee of the wind.
However, this requires that you pay close attention to offshore winds.

Precautions to ensure that everyone can be rescued in an accident

As a rule, all participants are required to wear a CE-approved life jacket.

Before the trip, wind, weather and current conditions are always taken into account.
In the event of capsizing, the rower/paddler performs a self-rescue or, if another participant is nearby, a buddy rescue.

If a group of beginners are on the water and have not yet learned rescues, there will always be a trained instructor present who will be able to instruct or understand a buddy rescue on the capsized person.

If a person shows signs of hypothermia (hypothermic body temperature), it is important that the necessary measures are taken.
This means getting the person into the kayak/SUP and onto land as soon as possible.
The hypothermia victim must be treated for hypothermia as soon as possible by, for example, being wrapped in extra clothes, emergency blanket/reflective clothing, possibly given something warm to drink and, as a last resort, emergency services must be called by dialing 112.

If one or more rowers show signs of weakness, the group should be gathered as quickly as possible and land if possible.
If a rower/paddle lacks strength or has difficulty getting away from a danger, e.g. current, vessel on a collision course, etc.
Towing is done with a so-called towing line, which the instructor always carries.

If a rower/paddleboarder becomes ill or injured, immediate shore search, treatment is carried out and, in the worst case scenario, an alarm is raised by calling 112.

Precautions to ensure that assistance can always be called in the event of an accident

In case of serious injury, illness, cardiac arrest, hypothermia and rowers/paddles blown out to sea, the alarm is always raised by calling 112.
It is therefore a requirement that the group has at least one, preferably more, who has a mobile phone in a waterproof cover or drybag that can be operated even in difficult situations, such as when the screen of a smartphone becomes damp.

Measures to ensure that information on the number of persons on board is known and stored ashore and is easily accessible in case of a rescue operation

At Lifeplan Kayak & Outdoor Life’s activities on the water, a list is always kept of the number of people in kayaks or SUP.
This list can be found on the PC in the Kayak Shop at Østre Havnevej 47.

When renting kayaks and SUPs, where the renter is the owner and responsible, Lifeplan Kajak & Friluftsliv always keeps a list of the number of participants.

Precautions to ensure that safety instructions are always given to new persons on board before the start of the voyage

At the beginning of the activity, an initial safety instruction is always given at the so-called skipper’s meeting.

At the skipper’s meeting, it is always clarified whether there are participants who may have health or physical challenges.
Furthermore, details are given about the duration of the trip, wind, current and weather conditions as well as where the trip is going, and that you row/paddle together as a group.

Furthermore, instructions are given on how to rescue yourself or be rescued in the event of capsizing.

The survey also asks how many people have working cell phones, that these are stored in a waterproof cover or drybag and that, in extreme cases, an alarm is raised by calling 112.

Precautions describing how to follow up on unintended incidents or accidents

After any activity, an evaluation is always carried out.
If an unintended situation or incident has occurred, the incident and its severity must be discussed.

The instructor thinks through the process and reports to Lifeplan Kajak & Friluftsliv, and people with the relevant experience are also sought out to find solutions to avoid similar future incidents.
The process should always be started immediately after the activity has ended.

Frederik Laursen
Lifeplan Kajak & Friluftsliv Aps