HAZARD |
WHO IS AT RISK? |
RISK BEFORE CONTROL H/M/L |
CONTROL MEASURES TO BE IMPLEMENTED |
RISK WITH CONTROL H/M/L |
1. Drowning following capsize |
Ourselves and members of emergency services involved in any rescue attempt |
M |
1.1 In the event of a capsize we have the ability to: 1.1.1 perform an Eskimo Roll to right the kayak in the event of capsize. 1.1.2 perform an Eskimo rescue, either bow or paddle presentation. 1.2 Should we fail to roll successfully necessitating a ‘wet exit’ we have the following options: 1.2.1 the team member remaining upright will perform a T or X rescue. 1.2.2 should self rescue be necessary: re-entry and roll then pump out water; empty the kayak of water and re-enter; or re-enter and then pump the water out. We will have immediate access to a ‘paddle float’ should it be necessary. 1.2.3 all-in rescue. 1.3 We will wear buoyancy aids at all times. 1.4 We have received training in rescue/sea rescue techniques. 1.5 Before setting out each day we will assess the la test weather forecast and will not commence a paddle leg if conditions are likely to make it difficult to complete that leg of the journey 1.6 Should self-rescue not be possible, we will have immediate access to flares, whistle, air horn and VHF radio. |
L |
2. Hypothermia |
Ourselves |
M |
2.1 We will be wearing or have immediate access to appropriate clothing to prevent or delay the onset of hypothermia. 2.2 Should hypothermia set in whilst at sea, we will take immediate action to prevent worsening and attempt to land. Once ashore, treatment will continue (we will have exposure bags, change of clothes and sleeping bags) and the emergency services alerted if necessary (flares, VHF radio and mobile phone). 2.3 We will be carrying sufficient shelter and clothing to allow us to stop and camp even in the most extreme conditions. We will have the ability to make hot food and drink whilst ashore and sufficient supplies in reserve for a minimum of two days |
L |
3. Injury whilst paddling |
Ourselves and members of emergency services involved in any rescue attempt |
M |
3.1 Avoid situations which increase the risk of injury, e.g. Paddling in surf or other breaking waves, especially after a long paddle. 3.2 Ensure good technique (especially forward paddling) and appropriate use of recovery strokes and rolling. |
L |
4. Damage to or loss of the kayaks |
Ourselves and members of emergency services involved in any rescue attempt |
M |
4.1 The kayaks are constructed from glass fibre using epoxy resin such that they are extremely robust. We will carry a wet-repair kit sufficient to enable us to get to the nearest safe landing. We will also carry repair materials to carry out a permanent repair. 4.2 The kayaks both have three watertight compartments such that damage to any single compartment or loss of a hatch cover will not cause the kayak to sink. Furthermore, the majority of kit will be stowed in dry bags with a significant amount of air trapped inside them. Therefore, in the unlikely event of all three watertight compartments being breached the kayak will still remain afloat. We will also carry spare hatch covers. 4.3 We will attempt to avoid crossing shipping lanes or entering shooting ranges. If this is unavoidable we will exercise caution and if possible find out timings for military exercises. 4.4 We will avoid paddling in conditions of seriously reduced visibility. Should it prove unavoidable, we will wear a strobe light and have immediate access to an air horn and flares. We will also have access to a personal light. We have reflective tape on both paddles and buoyancy aids. 4.5 Damage to the kayak is most likely at the end of each paddle when landing on an unknown shore. By selecting our landing sites carefully, obtaining advice from local people with knowledge of the area and taking into consideration weather conditions we can reduce this risk to a minimum. 4.6 Damage to kayaks is most likely to occur on land. We will always handle the kayaks together and take care they are stored safely. Where they are to be left for a period of time, we will ensure they are concealed and padlocked to prevent theft. |
L |
5. Personal injury on land |
Ourselves and members of emergency services involved in any rescue attempt |
M |
5.1 One of the most dangerous activities on land will be carrying the kayaks at the beginning and end of a day’s paddle. We will carry kayaks together exercising correct lifting and handling techniques. By carefully selecting our landing site we will try to reduce the distance and difficulty of the carry 5.2 Camping stoves are notoriously dangerous and we will take due care, especially if forced to cook under shelter. We will keep the stove regularly serviced during the two month expedition 5.3 We will each carry a personal first aid kit. We will also carry a more comprehensive expedition first aid kit. We both have first aid training, Louisa is a NOLS wilderness first responder. |
L |
6. Infection and disease. |
Ourselves |
M |
6.1 We will take care to clean and cover any cuts, blisters or grazes. 6.2 We will bathe at the end of each days paddle. This has proved effective in preventing tick infestation. We will shower when possible and will take particular care to keep our lower abdomens clean and free from infection. We will carry anti-fungal, and anti-septic creams to administer if necessary 6.3 We will obtain the appropriate vaccinations to prevent tick-borne diseases. 6.4 We will ensure that our cooking and drinking water is clean, either at source or by filtering or adding purification tablets 6.5 Our food supplies will not require refrigeration and we will take care to avoid contamination. 6.6 We will ensure our cooking and eating utensils are kept clean. 6.7 We will observe good personal hygiene at all times. |
L |
7. Getting lost |
Ourselves and members of emergency services involved in any rescue attempt |
L |
7.1 We have received training in on-water navigation and have experience in sea-navigation using a variety of techniques (map and compass, waypoints and markers and GPS). 7.2 We will carry waterproof maps of the entire route 7.3 We will both carry a deck compass and spare handheld compass. 7.4 We will carry a GPS, VHF radio and mobile phones. |
L |
8. Exhaustion |
Ourselves |
M |
8.1 Ensure we maintain a steady pace taking regular breaks 8.2 Have immediate access to food and water sufficient to complete the paddle leg with some in reserve 8.3 When conditions are marginal always take the conservative option and avoid paddling into a worsening forecast. 8.4 Avoid rounding a major headland or making an open crossing at the end of the day 8.5 Use the weather conditions to our advantage whenever possible |
L |
9. Heatstroke and sunburn |
Ourselves |
M |
9.1 Wear a wide brimmed hat and protection to the arms and torso. 9.2 Apply UV block to exposed skin and wear sunglasses. 9.3 Avoid paddling in extreme heat. 9.4 Keep well hydrated. |
L |
10. Dental |
Ourselves |
L |
10.1 We will visit the dentist before our departure to ensure that any routine work has been completed 10.2 Our first aid kit contains sufficient pain relief to enable us to continue to the next habitation where we can receive treatment. We will also carry a basic dental kit. |
L |
| Specific Risks (Distances in kilometres) All have potential for being high risk but are considered low to medium risks providing that appropriate action is taken – this includes all open crossings over 6km with /without shipping lanes, paddling through shooting ranges / areas with known difficult sea conditions. Options are shown in order from high to low commitment – high commitment crossings will only be attempted in sustained good conditions. |
LOCATION |
SPECIFICS OF HAZARD |
OPTIONS |
RISK LEVEL H/M/L |
11. Tjurpannan |
Rough choppy water with refracting waves 4km |
Monitor weather conditions and visual assessment prior to crossing – will postpone if conditions are too demanding or weather is deteriorating. |
M/L |
12. Laholmsbukten |
Missile Shooting Range |
Missile shooting range – determine range times before crossing. |
L |
12a. Laholmsbukten - Kattegat |
Open Crossing exposed to the Kattegat (North Sea) |
|
L |
13. Burensvik |
Open Crossing |
|
L |
14. Helsingborg |
Helsingborg – Helsingör Ferries |
Major ferry route with busy shipping lanes – ferry timetables – high vigilance – no crossing in poor visibility. |
M/L |
15. Malmö |
Major Port – busy shipping lanes / Bridge Pillars. |
Busy shipping lanes – high vigilance – no paddling in poor visibility. Bridge – avoid currents around pillars |
M/L |
16. Åhus |
Shooting Range |
Shooting range along 6km of shoreline – determine range times before crossing. |
L |
17. Kalvaholm |
Open Crossing |
|
L |
18. Listershuvud |
Open Crossing |
|
L |
19. Area S of Karlskrona |
Large Shooting range - major naval base |
Avoid by paddling N of shooting range and military protection area. |
L |
20. Area E of Karlskrona |
Shooting range - major naval base |
Keep close to coast 8km from E of Torhamn to Svanhalla - determine range times. |
L |
21. Fågelsundet I |
Shooting Range |
Avoid by paddling W of shooting range - determine range times. |
L |
22. Fågelsundet II |
Shooting Range |
Determine range times. | L |
23. Gävlebukten |
Crossing busy shipping lanes |
|
L |
24. Långvind |
Shooting range |
Avoid most of range by paddling along E coast of Fäbodön (2km) - determine range times. |
L |
25. Stavarhallberget |
Shooting Range / Crossing |
Avoid range by crossing from Själnöhamn to Långroudden 15km – determine range times as only option to abort crossing is through range. |
L |
26. Blågrundet |
Open crossing |
Direct crossing from Blågrundet to Revet 7km |
L |
27. Lövöbådan |
Open crossing |
Direct crossing from Lövöbådan to Tavastögren 6km |
L |
28. Korsörarna |
Open crossing – shipping lanes |
Direct crossing Korsörarna to Gåsören 7km |
L |
29. Tåme |
Shooting range |
Tåmsvarten headland keep close to coast 9km then avoid rest of range by keeping close to N coast. |
L |
30. Storö |
Open crossing |
Direct crossing from Storö to Lutskärsgrundet 6km |
L |
31. Järnäsklubb (S of Umeå) |
Erratic conditions – can deteriorate rapidly |
Stay close to shore and observe conditions carefully – determine take-out points should conditions deteriorate |
M/L |