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What to do when things go wrong. GAGA!
What to do when things go wrong
In previous articles we looked at the three main categories of unexpected occurrences which you might encounter while out on your paddleboard. Namely; issues with your equipment, your environment, or your wellness. Other than a few really extreme situations (such as a cardiac arrest or being run over by a speedboat), the vast majority of unexpected occurrences are not in themselves life-threatening. It is how you deal with them that will determine how they play out - which could be anywhere on a spectrum from minor inconvenience through to full blown emergency.
This is our third set of excerpts from the series of SUP SAFETY books written by Bill Dawes, National Safety Officer for stand up paddleboarding in New Zealand.
Stay on course: How PaddlePLAN® keeps you safe on the water
Navigating open water can be exhilarating, but it also comes with challenges, especially for paddlers up for adventures in unfamiliar areas. PaddlePLAN® was released in Paddle Logger’s latest major update. It was designed with these adventurers in mind, bringing paddling navigation tools to your iPhone and Apple Watch.
PaddlePLAN® allows you to plot detailed routes, track your location in real-time, and stay safely on course with haptic feedback and on-screen alerts, even if you stray from your route.
What could go wrong out on the water?
What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
You’ve done your planning as we discussed in the previous blog, you’ve carefully checked the conditions and you’ve invested in the best safety equipment. Yet things still can - and do - go wrong. This is where the third cornerstone of paddleboarding safety comes into play: knowing how to deal with a situation when things don’t go according to plan.
There are two quite distinct aspects to dealing with problems:
Knowing what to do.
Doing it.
This is our second set of excerpts from the series of SUP SAFETY books written by Bill Dawes, National Safety Officer for stand up paddleboarding in New Zealand.
Do you know what to do when things don’t go to plan?
Being safe on your paddleboard essentially comes down to two things:
1: Reducing the risks of something going wrong. In other words, proper planning and preparation, and knowledge/understanding of your environment.
2: Coping better if something does happen. In other words, knowing what to do when things go wrong, and understanding your safety equipment.
Over the next few regular blog articles we’re going to be focussing on the second of these; a topic which doesn’t get anywhere near enough coverage in safety discussion. However, to start the discussion off, we’re going to consider planning; one of the four cornerstones of paddleboarding safety [these four cornerstones are covered in much more detail in the SUP SAFETY books]. Because actually, proper planning is always the first link in the chain. The reason why things go wrong when you’re out there on the water very often comes back to a failure at the planning stage.
PaddleLIVE™: built with paddlers in mind
When you’re out on the water, be it on a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) or a kayak, the sense of freedom and connection to nature is unmatched. Yet, with this freedom comes the inherent risks of open water. This is where PaddleLIVE™ comes in—an essential tool designed not just to enhance your paddling experience, but to keep you safe.
9 Safety Tips for Paddlers
Paddling offers a unique opportunity to connect with nature, explore scenic waterways and enjoy moments on the ocean. Whether you’re kayaking down rapids, canoeing along tranquil rivers or stand up paddle boarding across coastlines, safety should always be a top priority for paddlers of all skill levels.