|
|
Tom's
TopKayaker Shop - For navigation supplies, lights & a variety
of kayak gear. Purchases
Support TopKayaker.Net |
|
|
Properly
Fitting A Child To A PFD or Life Vest Life Vests for kids
are sized based on the weight of the child. Each life vest is printed
with a weight range. There are three basic sizes
|
|
|
Kayaker's
Guide To Avoiding Injury & Paddling With Disabilities, Sports
Injuries & Joint Pain
by Marna Powell - Every one of us should be adaptive paddlers. Outfit
your boat to fit your body. Learn to paddle with good form and technique!
Proper posture while kayaking will solve and prevent many physical
discomforts. |
|
|
Paddling
in Traffic and Judging Collision Course by Tom Holtey
Indepth
article of kayakers in boat traffic situations with diagrams, and
simple techniques for avoiding collisions |
 |
"How To Avoid Becoming Shark Bait - A Guide For Kayakers
Against Shark, Alligator or Crocodile Attacks" |
 |
KAYAK
CAVING IN HAWAII & ASIA
By John Gray Caving skills for kayakers, a verteran kayak caver sharing
paddling skills necessary to enjoy this thrilling sport. |
|
|
Kayak
Lights & Kayak Lighting Techniques For Dawn, Dusk & Night
Paddling
This is exactly what you need to know about how to light your kayak
properly. Stories illustrate night surfing and dusk paddling precautions. |
|
|
We
Steer By The Stars & Toward The Fire
By Jo Hu
Join a two mile paddle in the dark for an evening of good food, friends,
and night fishing on Kapapa Island of Oahu's windward coastline. |
|
|
Fall
Paddling Fun & Precautions
This article is a practical guide for the unique preparations required
for kayakers to get the most out of the season. Includes links to
important Fall and Hunting date information.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
The
PFD Knife, Don't Leave Home Without It
by Trevor Gardner
Trevor
Gardner, of the New South Wales Sea Kayak Club explores the reasons
to carry a knife while sea kayaking in this entertaining essay.
|
|
|
HOW
TO RESCUE A SWAMMPED SIT-IN-SIDE KAYAKER
by Tom Holtey
In
this article you will learn how you can rescue a sit-in kayaker
using your sit-on-top kayak while paddling in mixed fleets.
|
|
|
DIVE
FLAGS by Tom Holtey
Divers must use a dive flag for safety and
It's the law! Divers
already know this, or at least they should. Snorklers, free divers
and even swimmers can benefit from a flag too. Instruction here on
dive flag regulations and mounting methods. |
|
|
Kayak
Towing Methods & Equipment by
Tom Holtey
Towing
is an important safety skill. Open water towing and WW towing are
completely different.
|
|
|
Solo,
Tandem Kayak Re-entry by
Tom Holtey
- Getting back on your kayak from deep water is one of the most important
things that you need to know to best enjoy the advantages of a sit-on-top
kayak. Excerpts from his books "Sit-on-top Kayaking, A Beginner's
Guide" & "Tandem Sit-on-top Kayaking." |
|
|
Signal
Devices By Athena Holtey
Proper use of appropriate signal devices are an essential part of
every kayaker's safety protocol. They let others know that you need
help. There are Signal devices used primarily for emergency; and there
are signaling methods used to simply assist paddlers in communicating
to each other. |
|
|
Preparation:
The Key For Going It Alone...Or In A Group Audrey Sutherland
is fondly thought of as the founder of kayaking in Hawaii, but now
enjoys regular trips to Alaska. We purified this interview, leaving
just her comments for you to feast on. |
|
|
"PFDs
- Life Vests: Life Saving Reasons To Wear One; How To Choose The Best
For You & Your Children" by Stan Bradshaw. |
|
|
"Harbor
Kayaking: The In's & Out's" by Athena Holtey
An unexpected "side trip" after a storm at sea teaches many lessons;
one everyone should be prepared to put to use whether you paddle near
busy Harbors or not.
(For quick harbor tips click) |
|
|
"Group
Paddling Techniques" by Tom Holtey
Put together a group paddle right. This article, first printed in
"Lifeline," outlines all the details of organizing a group paddle,
from choosing Lead and Sweep Paddlers to coordinating a "Float Plan." |
|
|
HYPOTHERMIA
Any time you are exposed to the weather and the elements you run a
chance of hypothermia. This article deals with signs, symptoms, treatment
as well as preparation and prevention. |
|
|
Cold
Weather Clothing and Paddling Tips by Tom Holtey Sit-on-top
kayakers can extend their paddling season by preparing with proper
clothing and understanding some basic principles. |
| "Individual
Paddler Responsibility List"
by Bob Walls, The best way to make sure everyone is prepared. Put
together by Bob Walls for Hawaii's Kayak Club "Hui Wa'a Kaukahi."
When paddling with others, few things are more frustrating than unprepared
paddlers. It often means a late launch which can lead the whole group
into bad paddling conditions, require a stretch of resources and even
jepordise the safety of all concerned. Whether you paddle alone or
in a group, let Bob's list help you be prepared. We've modified it
a little to apply to general group paddling situations and added Tom
Holtey's "Safe Kayaking Check List" to
round out the lesson. |
"Paddling
in Lightning and Rain" by
Kevin Ching & Joseph Hu
A club paddle goes electric and kayaker's group skills are put to
the test. Included in our feature story are suggested readings and
a summation of "Lessons Learned." |
Back
to top
When
paddling with others, few things are more frustrating than unprepared
paddlers. It often means a late launch which can lead the whole group
into bad paddling conditions, require a stretch of resources and even
jepardise the safety of all concerned. Whether you paddle alone or in
a group, let Bob's list help you be prepared. We've modified it a little
to apply to general group paddling situations and added Tom Holtey's "Safe
Kayaking Check List" to round out the lesson.
|
THE TEN RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE INDIVIDUAL PADDLER
|
| 1.
Familiarize yourself with the Planned Paddle. Prepare yourself for
conditions according to the rating assigned, and equip yourself
with required and prudent personal safety equipment. Address any
questions on these preparations to the Trip Leader. |
| 2.
Arrive at launch site as early as necessary for kayak and kayaker
(this means you) to be rigged and ready to launch at the scheduled
time, and to actively participate in car-pooling in advance of launch
time. |
| 3.
Check in with the designated Trip Leader & sign a waiver if
required. |
| 4.
Inform the Trip Leader of any limitations, intentions to deviate
from the paddle plan, or other special situations (for example,
the need to vary from the scheduled take-out). |
| 5.
Be responsible for briefing any non-member guests on the planned
route(s), group paddling practices, and emergency procedures and
signals, including the universal paddler SOS signal: paddle held
vertically as high as possible. |
| 6.
Stay in sight or communications with at least one other paddler.
If equipped with a VHF marine radio, monitor radio channel assigned
by the Paddle Leader. |
| 7.
Don't paddle past the designated Lead paddler. |
| 8.
Keep the Trip leader informed of any special situations that arise
during the paddle, either directly or by passing the word through
the designated Sweep or other paddlers. |
| 9.
Have fun! |
| 10.
At the end of the paddle, check in with the Leader, which will relieve
him or her of further accountability and officially end the paddle.
Provide any feedback or suggestions, which may assist in planning
future paddles. |
| Courtesy
of Bob Walls of Hui Wa'a Kaukahi,
Honolulu, Hawaii |
back to top
|
Safe
Kayaking Check List
Compiled
by Tom Holtey with John Enomoto and Joseph Hu
THIS
IS A LIST OF SAFETY EQUIPMENT THAT ALL SIT-ON-TOP KAYAKERS SHOULD
CARRY
|
| |
PFD
or "life vest" (coast guard approved) |
| |
Drinking
water in waterproof container |
| |
Paddle
leash / leg leash or "life line" |
| |
Bilge
pump |
| |
Knife |
| |
Signal
devices:
whistle, signal mirror, flare, smoke, dyemarker, See Rescue, air
horn |
| |
Cell
phone &/or radio in waterproof bag or "CellSafe" - EPIRB
or PLB |
| |
Paddle
Float and Rescue Stirrup |
| |
Spare
paddle |
| |
Proper
clothing, aquatic foot gear & hat |
| |
Flash
light (waterproof) &/or strobe light for dusk or night |
| |
Tow
rope - Rescue Vest or Tow Belt |
| |
Helmet
for surfing, rock gardens & seacaves |
| |
Float
bags for an extra measure of safety |
| |
Repair
kit: duct tape, spare parts, tools, etc. |
| |
Sea
anchor for extream wind conditions |
| |
Sun
screen |
| |
Sting
aid to relieve the pain of man-o-war or jellyfish stings |
| |
First
Aid kit in water-proof bag or container. Check regularly |
-
Carry
as many of these devices as possible &
-
KNOW
HOW TO USE THEM.
-
PRACTICE
with them in a variety of weather conditions
so you can use this equipment no matter how bad it gets.
-
BE
SAFE.
-
Always
go with a buddy, and tell some one who cares
-
where
you are going,
-
what
you are going to do and
-
when
you will be back.
-
Plan
ahead and
-
BE
PREPARED.
|
back to top
|