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Staying safe solo |
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rogue
Really should get out more Joined: 04 Dec 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 978 |
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Topic: Staying safe solo Posted: 31 Jan 12 at 5:22pm |
It's a good point... I'm fairly negative towards drysuits these days, I guess that's probably come with the luxury of being a short tow away from a hot shower in more recent years. But at coastal clubs being rescued doesn't always mean you're immediately taken back to shore like at a pond, infact now I think about it, some of my coldest sailing experiences have been sitting in rescue boats waiting for the race to finish so my boat and I can hitch a ride ashore after the last boat crossed the line.
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2547
Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 11 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1151 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 31 Jan 12 at 5:29pm |
So the advice has extended to: 1) Tell someone what you are up to and what time you will be back and that you will confirm your safe return at this time; and tell them if they don't hear from you to raise the alarm
2) Carry some form of communication VHF or mobile 3) Flares (but I don't like this option) 4) Check your kit and carry a few spare bits of rope, a knife & a whistle (FOX40 is the nuts) 5) Check the forecast and tide 6) Be realistic about the risks, your ability, your craft and the what ifs - 7) Dress appropriatly; drysuit for the sea in the winter
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kurio99
Groupie Joined: 18 Dec 09 Location: Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 65 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 31 Jan 12 at 5:44pm |
This is one of those sports where you die in a few minutes or several hours. Most of the things on the original list are good for the latter situation. I might add a paddling device (eg praddle) if there is room. Add duck tape - we once used this wonderful stuff to put a canoe back together that got wrapped around a rock on a wilderness trip.
For the first situation, you are watching for drowning or cold water shock.
1) Yes, carry a knife for entanglements, but keep it on you, not stowed in the locker. I have a dive knife strapped to my vest, ready in an instant.
2) Obviously, a good PFD.
3) Wetsuit or Drysuit suited to your water conditions. Done up at all times, not half unzipped for comfort. Something warm for your head - that's where you can lose the most heat.
4) Keep reasonably close to shore if possible.
5) Plenty of practise in safer conditions. Get used to cold water immersion and its effects. Become proficient in capsize recovery.
Buddies is the way to go, but they can be hard to find. I have this problem, since I tend to be insanely gung ho - once took my kayak to a local river but was disappointed to find it frozen solid. Hard to find anyone equally insane. Unfortunately, my club does not have a place for a buddy signup list on their website.
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Daniel Holman
Really should get out more Joined: 17 Nov 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 997 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 31 Jan 12 at 5:52pm |
I think that this is a great thread and very pertinent to others at the moment.
I'm not a dad (as far as I know) and perhaps my tune will change then, but I think that we are in danger of having a generation of kids for whom it is implausible to go sailing without a 2:1 instructor & RIB ratio. Safety is important and everything, but developing seamanship skills to assess risks & mitigate them, and empowering kids to take responsibility for their own safety is a pretty big deal. I would have lost the majority of my sailing hours if I hadn't gone out alone as a young'un. Similarly with windyboarding. How old is that girl that has gone round the world solo? Shows what is possible as long as the right safety stuff has been put in place. Also puts the onus on people to make sure their kit is in safe order. I would say that #1 thing when sailing solo is to sail upwind of where you have launched. You can drift in a broad reach in one capacity or another in most boats with most breakages. This means you can stay with what remains of your gear which always is a bonus. Secondly, developing an understanding of reasonable risks, their consequenses and mitigations - i.e I ask myself what the worst that could happen in any given weather/tide/location/density of passing boats/temperature scenario would be, and whether you could deal with them alone. If not, assessing likelihood of others being able to help - this includes how you'd attract attention, i.e.anything from waving to EPIRB. How far would I have to swim / drift with a broken bone, for instance. Grim, but needs considering. |
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2547
Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 11 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1151 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 31 Jan 12 at 5:58pm |
One thing I have worried about is seperation from the boat both in single handers and 2 person boats when sailing with someone who would not be able to right the boat and come back for you.
In this instance I have a tied the tail of the mainsheet to my PFD.
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winging it
Really should get out more Joined: 22 Mar 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3958 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 31 Jan 12 at 6:01pm |
at this time of year you'd be dead from hypothermia within a very short period, so no need to worry about how far you can swim.
is it fair to expect others to help if things go wrong? what risks are you subjecting them to? I wonder how much the recovery of the moth sailor has cost? |
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the same, but different...
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RS400atC
Really should get out more Joined: 04 Dec 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3011 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 31 Jan 12 at 6:05pm |
The costs of recovering the moth would probably pay the RNLI's advertising bill for less than a day and gives them better publicity.
Nobody died, get over it. |
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Daniel Holman
Really should get out more Joined: 17 Nov 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 997 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 31 Jan 12 at 6:31pm |
An implicit part of going afloat, explicit if racing is that you'll help those in trouble if necessary.
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winging it
Really should get out more Joined: 22 Mar 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3958 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 31 Jan 12 at 6:33pm |
Nobody died this time, but remember the guys in the wayfarer last year?
And if you want to talk publicity, how much good does this sort of thing do our sport? None whatsoever. Who picks up the flack? Not the guys who go out and sail for fun, but those of us who run underfunded training centres who then get more and more red tape and legislation dumped on us. If we want to avoid regulations that will destroy the sport for good then we ALL need to take responsibility for what we do. Most youth groups now need to wear helmets to sail in, mast head floats are also compulsory, as are devices to hold centreboards down. The nssa won't let you race without quick release hooks. All this stupid, costly legislation has been brought in because of cavalier attitudes to safety and a 'get over it' attitude. Come on guys, show some common sense. |
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the same, but different...
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winging it
Really should get out more Joined: 22 Mar 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3958 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 31 Jan 12 at 6:35pm |
I didn't ask if people would help if you're in trouble, I asked if it was fair to expect others to carry the can if you get in a mess. |
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the same, but different...
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