Lower Wharfe Canoe Club - Risk Assesment

Lower Wharfe Canoe Club - Risk Assessment:

Sea kayaking Trips

Assessment By: Sue CoulingDate of Assessment: January 2015,

Reviewed by : Lynne Clayford Sept 2016 no change needed

This risk assessment is intended to be for sea kayaking trips in conditions within the four star leadership remit.

This Specific Risk Assessment is to be read in conjunction with the Club generic risk assessment for trips

Lower Wharfe Canoe Club Guidance for Trip Leaders:

As a club we are aiming to provide safe, enjoyable trips for our club members that also provide progression for developing paddlers

This guidance has been produced to help achieve this aim along side the club’s risk assessments for standard club trips. However, trip leaders should also conduct dynamic risk assessment for the specific circumstances of each trip. In every case the trip leaders must consider whether the conditions are suitable for the trip. For example, if two or three paddlers end up in the water can you cope? If there is any doubt at all, consider modifying the trip e.g. shortening it or choosing an alternative location; or if necessary cancelling the trip. You will always have the full backing of the club committee if you decide not to run a trip in adverse conditions.

A Trip Leader is someone with the relevant four star qualification or a Level 2 coach or above and must be over 18. The committee can also nominate suitably experienced people to run trips. All trip leaders should have current first aid training and DBS and have completed the relevant canoe safety training.

Assistant leaders should be of three star standard and have done canoe safety training (preferably the Foundation Safety and Rescue Training course).

Before the trip:
Weather / The Trip leaders should monitor the weather forecast for the area in the days preceding the trip to get an idea of what the river conditions are likely to be (tends to be a bit of a black art).
Sources of information:
Eg BBC weather websiteXC WeatherMetcheck
River level information can be found at
Tide times can be found on the Easytide website
Wind conditions / The wind conditions for the day should be checked. Changes in conditions during the trip need to be anticipated and the trip may need to be adapted to accommodate wind conditions and the group’s ability.
Temperature / Temperature should also be checked to ensure group are properly kitted out for the conditions
In cold and wet conditions it is particularly important that you check the kit people are wearing at the start of the trip. You should be prepared to insist that individuals put on extra clothing if necessary.
Younger children and novices are unlikely to have specialist paddling gear and are susceptible to cold, rainy conditions.
As a rule of thumb if the temperature is going to be below 10C you should be carrying plenty of spare kit, hats and gloves and be prepared to tow struggling paddlers.
If the temperature is below 5C the conditions are not suitable for beginner trips.
In hot weather – make sure people are carrying water and sunscreen
Sea Conditions / This risk assessment is for conditions within the four star leadership remit.
Supervision ratios / Novice trips should be lead by a qualified coach or by a person nominated by the committee.
Classify group into novices, intermediates, those capable of assisting and leaders.
For a calm sea conditions (warmer than 10C) the maximum ratio of (novice plus intermediate) to (leaders plus assistants) should be 1:3
This ratio should be reduced for more challenging conditions.
Check Access agreements / Many rivers have hard won access agreements we need to observe them
Check for arrangements = preferably from the local access officer.
Also Guide books, Google earth
Check any recent information / eg
Equipment and clothing / Advice on clothing and what to bring should be given to participants before the trip
Trip information about club trips is available as hardcopy and will be on the website
Medical conditions / Check with participants and membership list for any relevant medical conditions
Can check with membership secretary before trip
Contact details / Make sure you have contact details in case trip has to be cancelled at short notice.
Suggest participants email or text you or check facebook etc to check trip will run

Paddler Information

The following information should be obtained by the trip leader for all the paddlers on a trip.

Formally requesting this information may not be necessary where everyone on the trip is well known to the trip leader, but care should be taken to ensure that new health conditions are not missed or incorrect assumptions are made.

Essential Information to be carried on trip: / Useful information to have:
Emergency Contact numbers for day of paddle and that these are carried on the trip.
Relevant Medical Information – e.g. disabilities, sight/hearing impairment, injuries, asthma, Epilepsy, diabetes, heart conditions etc.
Is medical treatment carried and if so by whom and where.
Relevant injuries – e.g. shoulders and back problems, repetitive strain injuries.
Parental/carer permission for under 18’s
Where are parents/carers during trip and what are the dropping off and picking up arrangements. / Food intolerances (e.g. nut allergies, particularly relevant if person is cold and you want to give them high energy food)
Food preferences (cold, tired children in particular can be very uncooperative and not all kids like chocolate!)
Tolerance to cold – some people with poor circulation have problems with cold hands and feet.
Special learning needs (e.g. that affect balance and coordination, or responses to instructions etc.)

Recommended kit list

Group First Aid Kit / Appropriate to the group size / To include:
Sterile dressings Bandages
Triangular bandagesSterile water
PlastersTape
Gloves (purple ones not latex)Scissors
Group Repair kit / Gaffer tapeElectrical tape (also useful for blisters String and/rope
Appropriate tools eg screw drivers, multi tools, something to repair skegs
Lighter or turbo flameSpare paddles/splits – depending on trip
Group Rescue kit / Sufficient Towlines/slings & carabiners/ throw lines for the ability of the group and water conditions (paddlers to carry knives if using rescue ropes)
Spare hats and glovesSpare change of clothes
Spare poggies
Boffy bags /group shelter [big enough for the group]
Survival bags orange and thermal blankets (note Al bags degrade and should be in good condition)
Emergency food but note there may be people on the trip with allergies.
Map and compass, Torch
Mobile phones (suitably waterproofed)
List of emergency contacts and medical details for group Paper pencil Money
Hot drink or equipment to make one
Spare water proof containers for valuables, keys, medication etc.
Flares
Location Device eg EPIRB or VHF Radio
Personal Paddle Kit / Dependent on conditions and we need to check participants are suitable dressed for trip – if not they may not be able to take part! / Reasonable quality water proof cag
Appropriate footwear to protect from foot injuries and to keep feet warm
Acceptable buoyancy aid that fits properly and still has sufficient floatation
Helmets (if running rapids, weirs, surfing)
Reasonable set of paddles
Sufficient appropriate clothing for the conditions (and for anticipated conditions later in the day) eg thermals not cotton
Spare clothing and warm hat and gloves
Sun screen, lip slave, sun hat
Personal snacks lunchdrinks (hot or cold depending on conditions)
Personal medication (if appropriate the Trip Leader should know where medication is – eg to treat diabetes, asthma, heart conditions, Epi pens etc)

Emergency procedures

Assess situation and risk to yourself

If you can safely land

Make Group Safe

Make casualty safe and warm

(eg change clothes, put casualty and others in boffy)

Do you need to call emergency services?

Yes / No
Assign one person to oversee situation
Assign at least one person to monitor casualty
To reassure and prevent situation getting worse
Assign someone to manage rest of group
What are the options to get group off water and warm and safe
Is it appropriate to split group eg to get weaker paddlers off water, to get transport to site etc
Record what happened as soon as reasonable
Contact emergency contacts / Can the group continue?
What are the options to get group off water
Monitor casualty
(eg to ensure they do not become hypothermic)

If you cannot safely land and there is immediate and serious danger to the group

Activate EPIRB location device

Or call Mayday on Channel 16

Mayday MaydayMayday

This is Sea kayak IselIselIsel

Mayday Sea kayak Isel

My position is: xx° xx’N xxx° xx’W or true bearing and distance from prominentcharted object

Describe nature of incident

I require immediate assistance

X sea kayaks in group

Over

Have flares ready to help rescuers locate you. Be aware of the down draft from helicopters .

As soon as possible after event:

Contact Club Chair person and Secretary

Complete an Accident Report form