Drowning
Even if you paddle in calm waters, you must always wear a life jacket. It is also important to know how to handle your craft properly. Most paddlers enjoy their activities in pristine areas, but it is possible to get into a situation where you’re not safe. This may be due to poisonous plant life or polluted water sources. While drowning isn’t the leading cause of death for paddlers in small craft, it’s still a preventable death.
While paddlers in small craft are more likely to drown, the risk of capsizing is also a significant cause of death. Small boats tend to be less stable than larger boats. This makes it harder to maintain stability in rough water or fall overboard. Inconsistency and human error are other major factors that contribute to drowning in small craft.
Although boating accidents can happen to anyone, paddlers in small craft are more likely to drown than paddlers in larger outboard motor boats. These accidents usually happen when the paddler loses concentration, panics, or loses control. The most common accident is a fall overboard, but other common causes include collisions with other boats, objects in the water, and even getting caught in fishing nets. Fortunately, wearing a life jacket can help prevent drowning.
While paddling in rainy weather is relatively safe, kayaking in cold water is always dangerous. The cold water can obstruct a paddler’s airway and cause them to drown. Although this risk is reduced by wearing a life jacket, paddlers should take extra precautions to avoid these risks.
Many paddlers overlook basic safety precautions, such as wearing a life jacket and proper clothing. Incorrect hydration can lead to fatigue, confusion, and dizziness, and can prevent your ability to paddle safely. A warning sign that you may be dehydrated is thirst.
Wearing a life jacket is the most important safety measure you can take while paddling. You should also make sure that your flotation devices are close by. You should never paddle alone, as this can greatly reduce your chances of being rescued. Paddling in groups will ensure that you don’t get separated from other paddlers if an emergency arises.
Hypothermia
People can become seriously ill or even die from hypothermia if they are in cold water for an extended period of time. The body begins to lose heat at a faster rate than it can replenish it, and a person who is already suffering from the disease can drown within minutes. They may lose consciousness or their sense of smell. It can also lead to confusion, difficulty speaking, and excessive hunger. Thankfully, there are ways to combat this common risk and save yourself from this terrible fate.
While the majority of fatalities involved paddle sports accidents, most occurred in shallow water. Nearly sixty percent of these incidents occurred in lakes or rivers. Only two cases involved the Atlantic Ocean. In addition, most of the fatalities occurred during the day between noon and six p.m. The most common time to experience watercraft fatalities was during the summer months.
Because paddlers are exposed to the cold more than most people, they are at a greater risk of becoming hypothermic. This can happen from wind chill, capsizing, or damp clothing. Regardless of the cause, being in the cold water can be life-threatening. Fortunately, there are ways to mitigate the risk of hypothermia while out on the water.
Aside from the dangers posed by a lack of safety equipment, paddlers should wear a life jacket, wear appropriate clothing, and learn how to handle their craft. In addition, dehydration is the leading cause of death for paddlers, and it can be caused by excessive sweating and poor water intake. Dehydration causes cell death, which can be fatal.
Because the cause of death can be difficult to determine, a thorough scene investigation is vital. While autopsy findings are often subtle or non-specific, it is important to investigate all factors, including weather and behavioral characteristics. This will give a more accurate picture of the cause of death.
Another leading cause of paddling-related deaths is a boat capsize, which can cause a paddler to lose consciousness and drown in less than a minute. Therefore, it’s important to know the Safe Paddle Practices checklist before you start paddling, and to have a signaling device on hand.
Equipment failure
Regardless of the safety measures and equipment available, paddlers are at risk of drowning if the equipment fails. Life jackets are especially important, as paddlers are at higher risk of drowning if they forget to wear them. A life jacket is also necessary if you plan to paddle in deep water.
Failure to properly use life jackets is a common cause of paddler deaths. Regardless of age, paddlers should wear a life jacket, wear appropriate clothing, and be familiar with craft handling. In addition, many paddlers fail to take adequate water. Poor water intake and excessive sweating can result in dehydration, which can cause cellular death.
Paddlers in small crafts are twice as likely to drown than paddlers on larger outboard motorized boats. These smaller boats are also less stable than larger boats, which can make them more prone to instabilities. Small craft are also more susceptible to human error and inattention.
Paddling small watercraft is a popular summer activity, but the risks are higher, and accidents can occur. The most common type of accident is going overboard, which happens when a paddler loses control and the boat capssizes. The injuries incurred during a capsize can be catastrophic, and one in three paddler deaths is attributed to capsizing.
Regardless of age, paddlers should wear life jackets when on a small craft. They should also wear appropriate clothing, which is crucial to avoid heat stroke. Similarly, paddlers should wear bright colors and wear paddle blades that reflect sunlight.
If you plan on paddling in an unfamiliar area, learn about the environment and its hazards. You should also learn about first aid if needed. Lastly, learn the weather conditions. You should check the weather before setting out on the water. If the weather conditions are very cold or hot, you should avoid paddling in those conditions.
If you’re travelling in a group, choose a leader. This person is responsible for keeping the group together and picking a safe route. A leader should also be in charge of assessing the physical condition of each member of the group. The leader should also make sure that the novice paddlers are well equipped for the task at hand. For example, a leader should make sure that everyone’s kayaks have flotation so that they can easily be rescued if needed.
Intoxication
Paddlers should be aware of their surroundings when on the water. The chances of drowning are significantly reduced when you wear a life jacket. However, there is still a high risk of accidental death. Intoxication can be a factor, as well, and is a leading cause of death in small craft.
Paddlers on small craft are twice as likely to drown as paddlers in larger outboard motor vessels. While small craft can be enjoyable, they also pose several risks that need to be considered. The most common risk is drowning. While paddlers are twice as likely to drown as those in large outboard motor boats, they are also less likely to follow the standard safety practices of other vessel operators. Many people do not have the skills or experience necessary to paddle a small craft safely, and they do not know what to do to avoid drowning.
One incident in Alabama in July last year left half of a party dead. The boat operator was intoxicated and swerved his boat into a bridge piling at 25 mph. The drunk boat operator had a BAC of 0.15, more than twice the legal limit in the state. The number of fatalities from boating accidents in the U.S. decreased by 3.6 percent from the previous year.
Increasingly, state and federal laws have passed laws prohibiting boating under the influence. Intoxicated boat operators are subject to fines up to $1,000 for each infraction. The Coast Guard has the authority to stop and search unsafe vessels. A refusal to submit to an alcohol breath test can be used against you in court.
Intoxication also affects balance and can cause a person to fall overboard. The effects of alcohol can also make it difficult to swim after falling overboard. Furthermore, alcohol can increase the effects of disorientation caused by water entering the inner ear. Alcohol also impairs judgment and reaction time, and is a contributing factor in nearly half of all boating accidents.