The Sea Kayak Problem Part 2: The Safety/Risk Issue 

That’s a great quote. Thanks for watching, and I look forward to reading your book.

I will also look forward to reading your book having just discovered your channel. Will the book cover your Scotland trip? If i see you on Mull I will pop over say hello.

Thanks for watching Richard. I am about to start a series of Risk Management videos. I think you’ll like them.

Oh I totally agree! And (I think?) I’ve done a video on risk assessment and am planning on doing one on this very topic. In particular the inreach crowd uses that device as a theoretical shield of protection. There is a tremendous lack of risk management and risk assessment going on because people feel safe because they have a device. Thanks for a great comment.

No, he was completely right. All those things are true. I would add, you are always safest while paddling forward, so when in doubt...PADDLE! and 2 months on the Finnish archipelago sounds amazing. Thanks for watching.

Totally agree. When I paddle alone I have a plan for what I am working on in terms of skills.

Yeah, they don’t But hopefully if they survive long enough they will learn.

I agree that you have to stay proficient. But isn’t it true of most outdoor activities?

Exactly right.

It’s a great phrase!

I work with and paddle with a lot of whitewater paddlers (though only on flat water, i dont do whitewater. ) and honestly I think the whitewater community is better at risk management, and in general a better stronger community than the sea kayaking community. Im not sure why that is, but that is what I saw living in NC which is very whitewater centric.

Thanks for subscribing. I don’t have immediate plans to be in Chicago but feel free to email me so we can discuss. BrettATadventureotaku.com

Sounds like you have done well then! Keep it up.

Deep trouble is always in the NOLS library on kayak courses. Great reading and a teaching tool.

These comments resonate. I would love to paddle and back country camp as a group, but I seem to almost always be going solo. At age 65 I’ll ask myself ‘if not now, then when?’ So I go. But I’ve gathered experience gradually, progressively, so that each next step feels ok. I research, plan, prepare, always have the gear and absolutely always create redundancies. Even then situations can occur because we mitigate, we don’t control. Experience, awareness and recognizing my present limits seem to be my best safeguards. Ultimately it is balancing fun, curiosity, quality of life with security and caution. I no longer have dependants, so I feel more free to make my choices and set my limits. Sea kayaking is a blast and I’m going to keep doing it until I can’t.

I agree 100%

Thank you!

Thanks brother

Hey, for sure, transporting a sea kayak can be a pain in the butt - I think my situation is a little unusual as I have only seen one other kayak on the roof of a sprinter. Still worth it every time I get to park someplace amazing and put my boat in the water.

Agreed. right now, as I type this I am teaching a WFA course with a world class white water paddler. We have different levels of comfort with the risk involved. Whitewater scares me.

They have water in Atlanta?

He’s from western NC.

@@HeadNtheClouds Oh yes. In and near. The Chattahoochee flows past Atlanta, and there is whitewater on the Yellow River on the east side. Lake Allatoona, just northwest of Atlanta, is where they filmed "Ozark," and I paddle there. And we are only about two hours drive from Dahlonega in the North Georgia mountains. Lots of good swift water there.

@@AdventureOtaku it scares me as well. Something about rushing towards granite boulders with nothing between them and my skull but a piece of WRSI plastic!

You too, thanks for watching.

Great points. In order… I have a one sheet (really, like half a sheet of paper that is laminated…) I think it’s called a “cockpit companion” that I use the format for on paddle days. It comes from NOLS, and I made my own version that is a little different for my book GO!. I don’t use a specific tool for planning. And honestly I rarely use the actual tool because it is so ingrained in my head. Totally, agree. Like the couple I saw at assateague. But you can’t walk up to them and say “hey, what you are doing is unsafe.” The best thing that can happen is they have a close call, and it opens their eyes and pushes them towards knowledge. I am a weather junky. I wear a barometer and even when I am not paddling I check weather a number of different ways a couple of times a day. I always do a weather check before paddling and then watch for changes while paddling. I am famous for paddling with groups and yelling out “what just changed!?” And it almost always refers to the weather. Thanks for a great comment!

That is a concern….

It could, except the hurdle would be to get people to do it. I honestly don’t know how much RM your average paddler does…. Which is actually a good question….I’ll have to think on that.

I totally agree, the problem is if they don’t realize it they wont watch. A few years ago I did a video aimed at kayak fisherman. Explaining that I know their primary goal is fish, not paddling, but they are taking very heavy boats with a tendency to roll over and putting themselves in dangerous situations. I then pleaded with them to take a lesson. One lesson. No one watched it.

Just out of curiosity, is this your only social media channel? Your production value is pretty good, understandable format, good quality vids, and relevant info, the lower viewership might mean you need to spread it out over some of the short format channels. People these days do not have awesome attention spans.

I am on instagram, and while there is an Adventure Otaku Facebook page I rarely use it, as the analytics are clear that it isn't driving traffic. Thanks for your kind words. I work hard to make a good channel....

Probably.

most sea kayakers don't know how to roll.

@@AdventureOtaku Exactly !

That rule is used by a lot of organizations, when I worked for REI we used it - but they used 125 for some reason. I think it’s a great guideline but yeah, in extreme conditions it can be hard to manage. I have on rare occasions wore a dry suit with just shorts and t shirt under it, but that’s pretty rare. I am sure in Alaska I paddled on 70 degree days with 50 degree water, but in situations like that a lot of cold is moving through the boat…. Check out my videos about dressing for paddling and you will see sort of how I progress from shorts and t shirt through dry suit as conditions change.

Here in the US the coast guard keeps meticulous records of injuries and fatalities and if I wasn’t in the van in the shadow of the bay of fundy I could tell you. I think 16 fatalities in 2022? I think.

YES! That is what the whole discussion of the term “safety 3rd” vs “safety first” is so important. We have come to (and been trained to) think our safety will be taken care of by employers and experiences, when at the end of the day we have to take responsibility for our own safety. I did a video about it.

I may make this a video, this summer... Can you put a PFD on while swimming. There was a Canadian Coast Guard video that showed how hard it was but the last time I looked for it, I couldn't find it.

Not true for everyone. The largest paddling club here in Oregon has a board member pushing for mandatory PFD usage for all paddlers for all paddlers all the time and on all waters as in state law. Having a very deep ocean paddling resume covering thousands of miles, I just didn't appreciate my causal summer flat water paddling in great weather on warm water to be saddled with the loss of the wonderful freedom of paddling topless, so to speak. I was challenged to capsize with my PFD in bungees on my rear deck. I chose to remount without the PFD on, then put it on while in the boat. It took 15 seconds. Next, I repeated with putting the PFD on in the water. It added about 10 seconds to my time. The key is to roll over once both arms are through the armholes, then zip up...super easy. I'm not superman, just a near 70 y/o dude who loves the freedom of paddling and left alone, untethered by one size fits all rules. That being said, PFD's do save lives. I was on a swiftwater rescue team for nearly 30 years, as well as dive rescue. A safety pet peeve of mine is the common practice of fat front pouches on PFD's. This raises the center of gravity of one trying to slither onto a kayak making it much more difficult to do without flipping the kayak over again during the remount.

@@yakinsea great comment I have a number of responses. First. Almost nothing is true for everyone. I don't think its a bad policy for a club to have rules on outings that say you have to wear a PFD - I don't necessarily think there should be actual legislation saying it is mandatory, though the seat belt analogy I use is a good one, I may change my mind on it - A club has to deal with a massive variety of skill levels and liability is always an issue. Unless they are complete jerks you could probably get a waiver to go topless in certain conditions. second. I think I could probably do it, which is why it is in the cue for me to make a video. But that doesn't mean that we shouldn't be encouraging people to wear PFD's 100% of the time. The data is clear. While you can die kayaking with a PFD on, it is far easier to die without one (to the tune of 85% more likely according to coast guard data), and most people can't retrieve and put a PFD on while in the water. Also, it's really bad for the flotation to be under bungies or to be sat on. And the real problem is this. When I lived in NC three paddlers bodies were retrieved in lakes, on calm warm days (all within about 18 months) in good conditions. All three of the boats and pfds were found first. If those three guys had been wearing PFD's they would be alive. its that simple. Third. I will concede that the pocket on the front of my PFD makes self rescue more difficult. It can get in the way. But there is no way I am buying the concept that the less than 1 pound of gear in that pocket is somehow raising my 170 pound center of gravity enough to make the boat more tippy. It is actually pretty close to my center of gravity. You would have a better argument with a helmet because it is so much higher, but again the weight is so low. Sorry, not buying it. thanks or a great thought provoking comment on a Sunday morning. I wish there were more like it.

@@AdventureOtaku I am not against PFD's, but against legislating it for all situations. You missed my point. It's not the added weight of what is in your pouch, but the added bulk. Imagine a high jumper clearing the bar with an unnecessary bulky item between the jumper and the bar. The added bulk of a fat pouch means that to re-enter the paddler must move higher over the deck. This raises the center of gravity as one slithers upwards making it tougher to get onto the deck without flipping the boat. Also, this increases the likelihood of hanging up on a deck line or something. If you don't think a couple additional inches matters, try putting a two inch pad on your seat. This is a common surfski drill. Holy crap does it make a difference! At times I use Kokatat's rear pouch, if I want more things on my person. It flips around for easy access. On my longer ocean trips I'll stow my PLB, flares, extra repair items,etc here. On serious trips, one should ALWAYS have the PLB on the person. I also use Kokatat's Msfit PFD since it is one of the least front bulky PFD's with the added benefit of having the radio pocket offset just enough so that it doesn't interfere with remount. I also tether myself to my boat in serious conditions away from shore. I think this is at least as important as the PFD, which I would have on in conditions, as well. I have done numerous 20+ mile crossings; the last thing I want is to lose my boat. I am surprised that you think you could probably do it, but haven't tried. Not a a big deal, since you probably always wear your PFD. For safety, people should always practice for conditions a notch or two above what they expect to paddle in. Conditions can change in minutes. My friends and I practice rescue in surf up to overhead, including solo remounts, assisted re-entry, towing, etc. It can get pretty crazy, and one must be on constant alert to avoid getting caught between a wave and another kayak or kayaker. Thank goodness for lulls long towing lines. I found in big surf, I can easily hold on to my kayak by flipping it over. This brings the toggle under the surface and minimizes the waves impact with the rounded upturned hull with the stems underwater. When a lull comes, I flip the boat upright jam an unfeathered paddle under the bungees and remount directly into the seat, grab my paddle and lock in. I am not trying to minimize the risks by insisting on looser rules. The risks come from inexperience and thus lacking information to inform judgement and situational awareness. In my case, I have paddled seriously for nearly 30 years including paddling, post retirement, from Prince Rupert, BC to Mexico in segments, all on the outside, and all of the crossings including solo paddling from Prince Rupert to Port Hardy. I was on a swiftwater rescue team for 30 years at the fire department where I worked as well as the dive rescue team, and as a practicing paramedic responsible for pat. transport, not just first response. I was on mountain rescue for 10 years, and ski patrolled for 25 years. I have seen a lot of death both in the outdoors and in normal life situations. I get the feeling that you know what you are talking about, but I can't tell you how many times I have run across experts who get credentialed, yet don't have the experience to really know what they are talking about. I also have often seen these experts blurt out absolutes that conform to common dogma regardless of situation or nuance. I have noticed that the best skiers, climbers, paddlers, are generally not on rescue teams or in clubs. Those that I know find it grating after a while and quit, if they ever join in the first place. There are exceptions, of course.

@@yakinsea again, a lot for me to respond to. In reverse order because it is easier on my screen. Yeah, im not "credentialed" in part because ACA has continually loosened the actual requirements for "journeying' which I think is super important. I like to think I know what I am talking about, Ive been paddling professionally since 2002. Ive done Port Hardy to Bella Bella and Ketchikan to Skagway - not to mention a ton of mileage on the east coat. But most of my instruction is with beginners (probably 90%) and then 10% is other educators or long distance people who need help refining their stroke/dealing with an injury. I also a fair amount of trip planning consultation both paddling and "land based" trips. I didn't think you were trying to minimize the risk by insisting on looser rules, which is why I said the thing about your paddle club should make an exception for you in certain conditions. I also haven't had issues in bigger water holding onto the boat. I don't like tethers in general, an instructor of mine had a student get one wrapped around his neck in rough water. But I have a short tow in front of my cockpit, if I needed to... I could use that. On trying to put on the PFD I didn't think of it until last fall, and I would rather do it in warmer water. I think I could do it, but the Canadian Coast guard used to have a video of boaters (not paddlers) trying and it was pretty comical. When I couldn't find that video - which I needed for a video of my own - I decided I should try it. Finally, yes. I have done the two inch drill, but not in a surf ski. I did it last spring in Alaska in a seaward kayak and it was definitely tippier. BUT having done self rescue with my PFD and a PFD with no pocket, other than my current PFD making it a little harder to get it on top of the boat, onto the back deck (you have to get it higher so it doesn't snag) I didn't feel like the 2 inches or so it raised me made much of a difference. I didn't feel a balance difference. That said I have pretty good balance, others mileage may vary!

I think you are right, and I am living with that right now. At 56, every year I have to work harder to stay in the same shape. I work really hard to stay proficient in skills im making plans for January to really ramp up my fitness, because I have too… and I have seen it in my students. I think the only thing I disagree with is saying it is the most misunderstood. You mentioned several others that are equally problematic, and I could probably come up with 3 others that are seriously problematic. To most paddlers, they think it is a super benign and relaxing sport and it can be. But when it goes bad, it goes really bad. Great comment, thanks!

Sounds great.

Nope. There is no denying it.

Yeah, I pretty much agree with you... There is also just a widening disconnect with nature in general. thanks for stopping by,

Thank you!