ACCIDENTS, by definition, are unexpected. They result from unforeseen circumstances, unanticipated events, poor preparation, carelessness, or simple bad luck. When accidents strike, kayakers and operators of other small boats are at a disadvantage compared to people on larger vessels which are usually faster, more well-equipped, and often well endowed with communications gear. The small boats are more exposed to waves, wind, spray, and cold water. They have less space and typically carry less emergency gear. And their size limits the number of passengers, which reduces the flexibility to split into separate groups to care for the victim and a group to seek help. Small-boaters need to rely on their own first aid skills first and then seek the help of others as soon as possible.
Accidents and emergencies in kayaks and other small boats can occur on the water or on land. In addition to capsizes, man-overboard, collisions, overwhelming sea states, or groundings, kayakers should anticipate and avoid less obvious scenarios such as slipping on rocks in the intertidal zone, with resulting broken or sprained wrists or ankles; stepping on or otherwise breaking paddles, allergic reactions to bee stings or poison ivy, burns from campfires, or sickness from natural causes or from foraging, such as giardia or paralytic shellfish poisoning.
In the event of an emergency, remember to first observe and access the situation before acting, so you don't put yourself, your boat, or others in danger in addition on to the victim. Once you have ascertained how you can safely help the victim or victims, your goals, if possible, should be to remove them from the dangerous situation or to remove the danger, stabilize their condition, and seek help.
Stabilizing techniques vary depending on the injuries or situation. Bones that may be broken should be immobilized. Head or neck injuries should be treated with the utmost care: Do not move the victim unless absolutely necessary; make them comfortable and warm where they are until help arrives. Burns should be cooled with water. Dress hypothermia victims in dry clothes and other insulating layers, administer warm fluids, and warm them with direct body heat if necessary.
Get help. Swallow any pride and ask for help.
Nearby boats.Don't hesitate to hail the nearest boat that can help you when you really need it, whether the boat is a cruising boat or fishing vessel. In the best tradition of the sea, mariners are glad to help. But fishermen are busy making a living. Don't ask for trivial assistance, but by all means, ask them for help in an emergency. Generally, lobstermen are not on channel 16, but on their favorite local channel with their friends. Try 06, 08, 72, or 79, or spin the dial until you hear local chit-chat. IF YOU ARE READING THIS, YOU HAVE VIOLATED Boatyards.Many yards have a working skiff or tow boat that can bring you a pump, haul you off a ledge, or tow you in, or transport a victim. To most, it is part of the business. Most waterfront yards monitor channel 16 or 9 or the local fishermen's channel. INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT LAW. Hurricane Island Outward Bound School (HIOBS).The Outward Bound School has bases on Hurricane Island off the southwest coast of Vinalhaven, on Burnt Island in Muscongus Bay, on Cross Island in Machias Bay, and at their headquarters in Rockland. Each location has search-and-rescue capabilities including well equipped powerboats with licensed captains and emergency medical technicians on staff. They monitor channel 16 around the clock from mid-May to late September. PLEASE RESPECT AND SUPPORT THE WORK THAT HAS Commercial Services. Commercial towing and salvage companies operate in most Maine waters. A call to the U.S. Coast Guard will usually be referred to a commercial concern if your situation is not life threatening. See emergency numbers. BROUGHT YOU THIS INFORMATION. BUY THE GUIDE! The United States Coast Guard.There are currently six Coast Guard stations along the Maine coast plus one in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Each station has at least one boat that can be under way within 30 minutes. In the summer, an additional patrol cutter lies off the coast or can be under way within two hours. IF YOU ARE READING THIS, YOU HAVE VIOLATED For help, call the Coast Guard on channel 16 or by dialing "*CG" from a cellular phone. They will want to know the name of your vessel, your location, the number of persons aboard, and you situation. Remember, too, that if you call the Coast Guard, they will routinely inspect your boat for safety equipment. INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT LAW. The Coast Guard strongly emphasizes filing a detailed float plan with friends or relatives. In emergencies, they will always respond in some way and will always dispatch units in life-threatening situations. PLEASE RESPECT AND SUPPORT THE WORK THAT HAS Canadian Coast Guard. The Canadian Coast Guard and all government coastal radio stations monitor channel 16. The closest Coast Guard ships are based in Saint John, New Brunswick and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. BROUGHT YOU THIS INFORMATION. BUY THE GUIDE! Fundy Traffic.The Canadian Coast Guard operates a vessel traffic service in the Bay of Fundy, call name "Fundy Traffic." Based in Saint John, it provides vessel traffic control and assistance to mariners. There are no requirements that yachts participate in this system, but doing so can help in many ways. Fundy Traffic can provide information on weather and navigational aids and detailed reports about nearby vessel traffic, and they will monitor you on radar. They monitor channel 16 and use channel 14 west of The Wolves and channel 12 east of The Wolves, or call 506-648-4865.