Club Risk Assessment

Sea Kayaking General Risk Assessment

Venue Guidelines

Venues chosen should have:

• Adequate parking for participants’ vehicles without causing obstruction to traffic or locals.
• Public WC facilities wherever possible.
• Safe access/egress to the water (with awareness of other slipway users).

Trip Leader / Lead Coach Responsibilities

• Assessing the suitability of participants and their equipment for the planned activity and deciding who participates.
• Coordinating with the group as necessary to deal with any emergency situations.
• Coordinating all contact with the Coastguard / emergency services.
• If an incident occurs: Remember to assess dangers to self, group, and casualty, then delegate tasks to competent paddlers to resolve the situation or issue a Mayday if necessary.

On-the-Water Checks

Ensure the following are completed before setting off:

• Beach briefing completed
• PFDs worn correctly
• Spraydeck handle accessible
• Hatch covers and zips closed
• Skegs working
• VHF channel established

Hazard & Risk Assessment Matrix

Hazard	Risk	Who May Be Harmed	Impact	Control Measures to be Taken
Offloading/loading, lifting and moving kayaks	Manual handling injury	Participants	Medium	Minimum two persons per kayak. Use of trollies on long beaches. Use of carry straps & 4 persons for heavily loaded kayaks.
Offloading/loading, lifting and moving kayaks	Damage to kayaks	Equipment	Low	Pack / unpack kayaks once on beach.
Offloading/loading, lifting and moving kayaks	Damage to adjacent vehicles	Participants / Public	Low	Use of trollies on long beaches.
Access/Egress to/from water	Injury from slips, trips and falls	Participants	Medium	Selection of suitable venue. Use of suitable footwear. Wear helmets if appropriate. Provide assistance if required.
Access/Egress to/from water	Damage to kayaks	Equipment	Low	Check route(s) and select most appropriate.
Access/Egress to/from water	Awareness of other slipway users	Participants / Public	Low	Brief group.
Adverse Weather / Water Conditions / Sea State	Increased risk of incidents	Participants	Medium	Use multiple forecast resources. Compare check planning and consider cancellation. Prepare exit plan. Compare actual/forecast conditions before launch.
Equipment failure / damage	Equipment failure / damage	Participants	Low	Use spare kit. Carry out repair. Change plan if required. Call assistance if required.
Personal risks	Personal medical / physical risks	Participants	Medium	Check for any physical/medical issues during briefing. Carry out initial profiling tasks when on the water. Assess participant/activity capabilities appear suitable. Wearing of helmets when appropriate. Leader to monitor participants during activity. Emergency first aid provision. Tow / supported tow option. Call assistance if required.
Hypo/Hyperthermia / Sunburn	Hypo/Hyperthermia / Sunburn	Participants	Medium	Check suitability of clothing/equipment for conditions. Check that food and fluid for the day is carried. Check that sunscreen is carried. Leader to monitor participants during activity. Leader to carry emergency food, fluid, clothing, and sunscreen.
Tiredness / seasickness	Tiredness / seasickness	Participants	Medium	Assess participant/activity capabilities appear suitable. Leader to monitor participants during activity. Prepare exit plan. Tow / supported tow option. Call assistance if required.
Capsize & effective exit of kayak	Capsize & effective exit	Participants	Low	Participants trained in wet exit and re-entry (except induction course). Self-rescue / assisted rescue procedure / separation of paddler, paddle & kayak prevented. Extraction before re-entry if near rocks. Stabilise with towline if windy. Change plan if required.
Capsize & delayed exit of kayak	Capsize & delayed exit	Participants	High	Participants trained in wet exit and re-entry (Grade A & above). Hand-of-God rescue / assisted rescue procedure / extraction and assisted re-entry. Check breathing/water ingestion – Mayday / PLB (if suspected). Emergency first aid provision. Consider risk of secondary drowning. Change plan if required.
Significant medical emergency Unconscious paddler / head injury / chest pain	Significant medical emergency	Participant	High	Rescue procedure as appropriate. Mayday / Activate PLB. Stabilise situation. Divert to nearest egress point or as directed by Coastguard.
Other water users Large ships, fishing boats, yachts, dinghies, swimmers, tombstoners, anglers, surfers	Collision / interference	Participant / Other	High	Check traffic movements with local ports (e.g., Clydeport / Forthports). Exercise caution around harbour entrances and known yacht race areas. Avoid any flagged swimmer area. Ensure adequate distance from surfers/anglers/tombstoners while kayaking.
Thunderstorm Risk	Lightning / extreme weather	Participant / Other	High	Forecast check and consider rescheduling. If on water, make for shore.