Safety First: Creeking

[Kim Russell]

When kayaking, it's very important to carry the necessary safety items in your boat, in the event someone swims and gets hurt, a boat gets pinned, or you get stuck overnight on the river.

Below is a list of what I recommend keeping in your creek boat no matter whether you are paddling Class II or Class V. Some people carry more, some people carry less, but in general, most people carry the same basic items (*).

1. Throw bag *
2. Break Down Paddle * (held in place by an airbag)
3. Pin kin (2 pulleys, 3 locking carabiners, 3 small diameter prussiks and 8 feet of tubular webbing) *
4. First Aid Kit (including duct tape)
5. Fleece hat and gloves
6. Emergency Blanket
7. Headlamp/small waterproof flashlight/glowstick
8. Waterproof Matches/lighter
9. Energy bar (s)

I like to keep items 3-9 in a drybag inside my boat, leaving the throw bag, breakdown paddle, and pin kit out for immediate use.

Yes, these items do make your boat substantially heavier, but are well worth carrying for that one time you use them. In addition, not only will they help you in a bad situation, they will help your friends.

In addition to those safety items in your kayak, consider those on your person.

1. Rescue Vest with a tow leash (most rescue vests have more flotation than the standard pfd. In addition, they have a tow leash, which allows you to clip yourself to a boat for a boat rescue, hook yourself to a rope for a live bait session, etc. They come in handy).
1. Whistle (1 whistle: pay attention, 3 whistle blasts: Help/Emergency)
2. Knife (anytime you are carrying a rope, you should also carry a knife)

Hopefully you'll never have to break out any of these items, let alone all at once, but if you do you will be grateful you packed your boat full of such goodies.

Stay safe out there, and if anyone has any safety suggestions of their own, feel free to add to the list! It's always great to pass around ideas!

Pray for Rain!

Kim Russell

[Ferdinand Steinvorth]

Ok, here's the safety gear i personally carry on my body:

Waist throw bag
2 prussiks
Raft flip line
Cowtail
3 carabiners
1 pulley (one in my boat)
Leatherman, and another small knife for cutting rope

All the loose ends are trimmed down, nothing dangling out there to snag on a branch. the extra weight is not really much, and in any case, being on your body, will tend to affect your boat's handling much less.

Mikkel, if you really have the discipline to get your bag on every single scout, that's good, and i respect that! However (speaking from personal experience here), i have heard a lot of people claim the same and then they do neglect to take their throw bag half of the time.

Besides, how much a waist bag will raise the odds of snagging on a branch is a matter for long debate. Swimming into a strainer is a very serious situation, and a scenario that should be avoided at all costs in the first place. If it's happening, you should basically assume you're f**ed, and not getting stuck will depend mostly on luck. If i were just about to flush into one, i'd much rather have my buddy save me with a good rope throw than watch helplessly from the banks because, "just that one time", they forgot to take out their rope...

[Mikkel St.Jean-Duncan]

Hey Ferdinand

I actually prefer not to add any more straps ect on the outside of the body it adds an extra hazard of getting caught on a tree while swimming. But the first thing I grab when I scout is my throwbag and everyone I paddle with does the same or I generally won't paddle with them for long. I place my in the water bottle holder or clipped in right behind the seat so it's easy to get to.

[Ferdinand Steinvorth]

Forgot to mention: A Leatherman or similar tool, so you can take your boat apart in the middle of the jungle, and patch up that crack under your seat!

[Ferdinand Steinvorth]

Great article! i'd like to add a few suggestions though:

The throw bag should be carried on the body rather than inside the boat. Get a waist bag! Very often, the first person to fire up something does so while the others are still scouting. If something goes wrong, they may lose valuable time scrambling back to their boats for their ropes, and it takes a great deal of discipline (which most people simply don't have) to take your rope with you on every single scout! Same could be said about the pin kit. Carry as much on your body as practical!

A friend of mine is alive because he had a habit of carrying a raft flip line around his waist while boating. Ever since i saw that incident i do the same, and it has come in handy several times...

I would suggest adding a towel or some other means to dry your boat before patching it. Bituthane and duct tape stick poorly on wet plastic, and a towel will prove valuable unless you have the spare time to leave your boat in the sun until it dries!

be safe...

[Daniel I]

Communication device? Cell phone if there's reception, SPOT, and/or a good trip plan and people that know where you are when in case something happens.

[Kim Russell]

Thanks Taylor! Those gloves have been well loved! How's cali :)

[Taylor Cavin]

Nice gloves, Kim! I'll keep my eye out in the outdoor school's lost and found bin and try to get you a match.

[nobu]

I only have 1,2,4, and 9. I have on me complete set. I should do more for IN CASE. Thanks for sharing.

[Kim Russell]

We've got one suggestion already from Mike Copeland, "Great list. I also always carry bitchothane (roofing tar) for patching boats. Its cheep and is a big help if someone breaks a boat in a remote place."

Thanks Mike! Great idea!