Kayaking is a water sport that provides a rush of adrenalin but if you are not skilled enough or if you are not in control then you might be in danger. There are times when people kayaking in a cold remote region have become a victim of hypothermia leading to their death. That is the harsh reality! Of course, there are various ways of protecting yourself like wearing the right kind of protective gear and having a reliable kayak. You can pick a reliable kayak from Coleman Kayak, who is respectable name in the industry. Some of the Coleman kayaks are made of virtually indestructible Ram-X® material that adds a degree of safety. But like the Boy Scout motto, which says ‘be prepared,’ you never know what the next wave brings.
In whitewater inflatable kayaking, accidents can and will happen. There are many agencies and non-profit organization that have done research and worked on several aspects of safety. There are certain aspects that have been identified for survival. Let’s look at some of them:
The first survival skill is to know that you are in a situation that demands you to put your skills to the test to help you survive through it. There are times when many people just refuse to admit that they are lost. In a situation like this, it is better to let go of the pride and think about finding the way back.
The second point is to analyze the situation and your immediate surrounding. If you are in a group then it is important to identify the injuries or the injured people. Remember that the protective kayaking clothing like wet suits and dry suits can retain blood and thus it will be difficult to determine the extent or the injury. After the injury is taken care of, look for a shelter, food, and water in the surroundings.
Shelter is obviously one of the most important aspects of kayaking and caught in a desperate situation. A good shelter will be a place where you can regulate your body temperature and dry your clothes. If you find a place, where there are enough trees to provide shelter make the most of it.
Rest is primary. If you rest your body and mind then you will be in a better condition to think and find a way out.
You need to carry some kind of a beacon or a signaling device. If you go missing and search parties are sent then the use of a signaling device can make the process much faster and you will be picked up without delay. They come in handy especially if a deep forest cover surrounds you. Last but not the least is food and water. Food and water are necessary to keep your body running. If you get dehydrated then survival will be more difficult. If you are stuck in a forest that runs close to the river, then you can drink the water from the river. But you will have to search for food within the forest. |
