The most important thing when kayaking is that you can do it as safely as possible. Being in a kayak at sea involves certain risks, but with the right approach and with planning, you can minimise these risks and thereby maximise the experience.
Always check the kayak before launching it. If it has any damage that can affect the buoyancy, you should not paddle with the kayak. If you rent your kayak from us at ArcAdventure, we check and replace our kayaks regularly.
Of course, you always wear a life jacket when paddling. Keep in mind that a life jacket for kayaking is only a buoyancy aid and not a full life jacket. This means that you must be conscious and able to swim.
It can be good to have thought in advance about the risks that exist and how to act if something goes wrong. To help you with this, we have compiled the greatest risks to consider when paddling.
The best way to minimise the risks is to never paddle alone and to adjust the tour to your own level.
Here is a summary about what to think about to be as safe as possible when paddling.
Equipment
Waterproof mobile phone that is usable even in water
Extra clothes in a waterproof bag
Something to eat and drink
Clothes adapted to the environment and weather colourful clothing)
Equipment to create good visibility for others (lamps, reflectors)
Map / Chart and compass
Company
First aid kit
By having at least two canoes on the water, companions can save each other. One person may sound the alarm if the other person suffers froma sudden illness.
Communication
Talk about where you are going and when you will be back to relatives, the club or the canoe centre. Have good communication in the group and look after each other.
Paddle together so that the communication chain between the first and last person is close.
Location
Check the weather forecast and be prepared for rapid weather changes Adjust the tour according to weather, temperatures and wind Choose a trip according to ability and conditions, plan with breaks andhave a reserve plan where you can take yourself to safety if needed.
Knowledge
Experience and knowledge of the environment you are in and the equipment you use. Knowing from experience that you have a margin on your side in
expected conditions. Be able to carry out self-rescue and peer rescue in prevailing conditions
Rescue
Rescue is about dealing with incidents that have occurred, think about how you prioritise before you start your rescue operation.
The general recommendation for prioritisation is:
Yourself
The group
The distressed
Equipment
Another rule of thumb for incidents so as not to put yourself in a dangerous situation and create some time to plan is the acronym STOP which stands for:
S: Stay
T: Think
O: Observe
P: Plan
Always evaluate your own skills in rescue technology, practice your shortcomings and adapt the trip accordingly. Take the opportunity and practice peer rescue and self-rescue in environments and conditions similar to those in which you will most often be kayaking, If you need help or inspiration, you can apply to an association or approved canoe centre that often arranges courses and training opportunities in this.
Action plan in the event of a serious accident. To be able to handle an accident, it is good to work strategically.
Think like this if you end up in such a situation: Act according to the principles of L ABCDE (first aid) Those with the most medical knowledge handle the accident. However, do not forget to also take care of the others in the group Contact SOS via 112 If necessary, set up emergency camps Collaborate with rescue resources and start from the injured person's best interests.
East coast (Stockholm, Mälaren and Gotland)
Torö
Muskö
Dalarö
Åkersberga
Mariefred
Gotland
West coast (Gothenburg and Bohuslän)
Gothenburg/Fiskebäck
Gothenburg/Hisingen
Tjörn