Don't Let These 7 Kayaking Mistakes Lead to Tragedy
6-minute read + 13-minute video
Although kayaking is statistically an extremely safe sport, some kayaking mistakes can be serious. Here we look at seven that can lead to tragedy and how to protect yourself by keeping safety top-of-mind.
Ken Whiting, Aqua Bound Ambassador and pro kayaker, opens this video by reinforcing that kayaking is generally a very safe activity. We’re not trying to scare you!
However, “because you’re on the water in a dynamic environment,” he says, “when things DO go wrong, they can go very, very wrong. That’s why you need to make good decisions and avoid these big mistakes.”
Mistake #1: You Don’t Wear a PFD
Ken likens PFD (Personal Flotation Devise) use to seatbelt use in your car. 99% of the time you won’t need it. But if something does go wrong and you do need it, it can save your life.
That’s why it’s also called a “life jacket.” It’s what can keep you alive in an emergency situation. According to US Coast Guard statistics, in 84% of annual drowning deaths the victims were not wearing a PFD.
No one enjoys wearing a bulky, uncomfortable life jacket. So the good news for kayakers is that there are many paddling-specific PFD options that fit well and are comfortable. Try some on and invest in one that fits your body type, has the accessories you want and will be comfy to wear for a few hours (or days) on the water.
Mistake #2: You Don’t Dress for Immersion
To dress for immersion means you’re ready for a capsize. Like wearing a PFD, it’s being prepared for an unexpected event that could turn tragic.
This is especially important when the air temperature is warm but the water temperature is dangerously cold. In northern climates, this could be spring or fall kayaking. Or it could be kayaking any time of year on large bodies of water that never warm up, like Lake Superior or the North Atlantic.
(Photo courtesy of Andrew Strain)
Hypothermia is a real danger in cold water immersion. Here are ways you can protect yourself when you kayak:
- Stick close to shore. If you have to swim, you can get out of the water quickly.
- Don’t wear cotton. When it gets wet, it sucks your body heat out of you. Instead, wear wool (which keeps you warm even when wet) or synthetics that dry quickly.
- Wear a wetsuit. It will keep you warmer when you’re wet, even if it just protects your core.
- If you want to do a lot of cold water kayaking, consider investing in a dry suit. They’re pricey, but will keep you completely dry even in a capsize.
Mistake #3: You Don’t Know How to Re-Enter Your Kayak from the Water
If you want to kayak in big open water, you need to gain the skills and practice to re-enter your kayak from the water—either by yourself or with help from another kayaker. That’s because even a wetsuit or drysuit can’t protect you from frigid water temperatures for an indefinite time. You’ll want to get out of the water as soon as possible.
So practice your re-entry until you’re comfortable with it. Start on a calm day, but also practice in choppy water and wind.
Until you can confidently re-enter your kayak from the water, you should stick close enough to shore to be able to swim to it in case of a capsize.
Mistake #4: You Kayak in Bad Weather
Thunderstorms, wind storms and big waves can all be real hazards for kayakers. Maybe you neglect to check the forecast before heading out. Or maybe a serious weather event comes up unexpectedly.
Plowing through to get back to the launch isn’t often the safest plan, even though it may seem like your only option. You don’t want to be in a lightning storm when you’re on the water. You don’t want to be in waves bigger than your skill level.
Unless you’re on a small, sheltered lake, an emergency kit is always a good idea if you need to head to shore for a while. If you’re in a remote area, even bring extra food, fire starter and gear to camp overnight if necessary to wait out bad weather.
(Photo courtesy of @blazin_paddles)
Mistake #5: You Kayak Rivers and Don’t Understand the Danger of Dams, Weirs and Logjams
With river kayaking comes the added element of current, along with the potential presence of dams, weirs (small-scale dams) and log jams.
Larger dams are usually fenced or buoyed off and you won’t be able to kayak too near them anyway. But low-head dams are an issue. They look benign but can harbor deadly currents that “trap” a paddler, can cause a capsize, and are responsible for many fatalities around the world.
“Avoid low-head dams and weirs like the plague,” Ken advises.
Log jams can occur in any river, especially in high water. Fallen trees get swept in the current and can collect along river bends. You have to keep alert as you paddle the river bends to see what’s ahead of you. It’s much safer to get out and portage on the shore if you’re not positive you can kayak safely around a log jam.
Mistake #6: You Stand Up in River Current
Shallow-water drowning happens when someone steps onto a river bed in strong current and gets a foot lodged in the rocks or other underwater hazards. It’s possible for the current to drag and keep someone down if they’re unable to escape, causing a drowning. In this case, your PFD isn’t going to help.
If you find yourself out of your kayak, it’s wisest to swim or be carried out of the main current before you attempt to stand.
(Photo courtesy of Five2Nine)
Mistake #7: You Ignore Sun and Hydration Safety
As with any other outdoor activity, it’s important to protect your head and skin from the sun. It’s important to have water with you so you can keep hydrated. Severe sunburn, dehydration and heat stroke are all possible when you kayak on hot days on the open water.
Take drinking water with you, wear a sun hat or ballcap, and wear lightweight clothes to help keep the sun off your skin. Don’t forget polarized sunglasses to protect your eyes from the glare of the water.
Take the ACA’s Free Paddling Safety Course
The ACA (American Canoe Association) offers a free Paddlesports Safety Online Course that covers the safety topics associated with paddling. Go through the videos in this course and you’ll become familiar with what you need to know to safely enjoy many years of kayaking, packrafting, paddleboarding and canoeing.
What paddling questions can our friendly Customer Service team help you with? Contact us here: 715-755-3405 or [email protected]
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