Ocatagon Pond KNL Safety Day A Success!

Kayak Newfoundland Safety Day at Octagon Pond

It can be about boats of course.............

Ya gotta get'em there......

Canoes too.....

Yup, looks OK on that side....try before ya buy!

people helping others is common....

Getting them there is kind a fun too....

Getting in them even better......

Some were just contemplating, like the life guard......

some were just caught candidly smiling,,,,,

others were meeting new people and introducing to club members....

some were marching to their own tune like the Cadet Band....

other photo shy people were just marching to the lake...   :-)

some were already there like Louise looking golden as usual....

There were rescue demonstrations ........

.....sample tows.......

...and of course helping hands like Darren who took time of from his Master's work to be at the pond and lending a bit of assistance......

Well how does it happen you might ask? Well it takes dedicated people like Craig here and others who strike a committee and power on against odds and obstacles. A great job  an excellent day for only an evening session and maybe next year there will be even more interest by club members to participate and show up even if you've done a rescue or two before and maybe ........because!

"Serenity"

 I like arriving at paddle spots early just to see what pics may be lurking for the camera. Today was The Kayaking Club of Newfoundland's Safety Day and the beauty of this spot in the center of St.John's cannot be over estimated. This is a a lake in a small park called Pippy Park where fun was to be shared amongst paddlers today but for now the calmness of waters and the ripples from passing ducks.

"Early Beginnings"

 And in the beginning there was kayaking, what more be said "earlyyy in the mornin'"

"Ty and Gang"

 Ty gave up his paddling day to prepare food and drink for us and I am sitting here typing this feeling guilty because I didn't ask to relieve him so Ty I owe you one big guy.

"Collison Course?"

 Well if you are going to connect head on probably good to do it on Safety Day. Actually this was not the case, these guys were just playing in the reeds.

"Gettin-It-Done"

 Herb found out that when doing a T rescue it is much harder with a hatch full of water. Thanks for sharing Herb.lol

"Kayak Busker"

 Yup, we have them in NFLD......kayak buskers!

"Rescues Abound"

 A successful Safety Day to me is gauged by the numbers of people actually in the water. Dave Carroll imparting knowledge.

"One With Water"

 Dan Miller demonstrating a paddlefloat rescue on Long Pond on the first day of summer in Newfoundland.

"Andrew's Arse"

 Andrew da man, always fun watching Andrew in any water. Sorry ya didn't win the Frisbee buddy!

"Setting Up"

 Setting up for a rescue.

"Canoe Rescues"

 Tumblehome Canoe club partnered with our Kayak Club today to promote paddling safety. It was a huge success and attended by about 65 people. Great skills demonstrations by everyone and lots of participation and prizes.

"Burrito Wrap Demonstartion"

 The Burrito Wrap demonstration was being hosted by Peter Armitage with assistant Pete Noel. Everyone was anticipating the demo. It was huge success and a nice part of our Kayak Newfoundland Club Safety Day at Long Pond in St. John's.

"The Burrito Man"

 Pete you put a wrap to the day for sure.lol Thanks for volunteering to be our victim for the burrito wrap demonstration simulating a hypothermia paddler. It was very informative, enlightening, humorous and most of all useful for all paddlers in attendance.
Our Burrito Wrap consisted of a bottom tarp being placed under the patient,(of course dry cloths would be put on the victim), a Mylar wrap is then placed around the victim still lying on the tarp, a large garbage bag is pulled on to the victim from the feet up, ( to catch any body fluids), a sleeping bag is then wrapped around the victim further sealing in any heat. It was determined that it is best to organise the cinching rope under the trap before the victim is placed on it to minimize moving the victim around (hypothermia people are fragile),the tarp is then wrapped around the victim and cinched with the ropes and victim prepared for transport. It was also determined that a pillow of sorts, jacket, sweater, etc would be good for the head. We also put a balaclava on the head of our victim to minimise heat lost from that area. Even though we had fun with this procedure we are well aware of the gravity of such a situation and were made to realize that this can only be carried out if one takes the ingredients for such a scenario on each and every outing that you may be in. A remark was made about a comment made by Derek Hutchinson who once stated that North Americans do not take gear "generally" in their hatches on such outings. That is why they are there. Use them!

"LongPond"

 Long Pond was busy today with kayak instruction early in the morning at one end and our safety day at the other end. Kayaks galore!

"Cormorant"

The Motto of the 413 Squadron based out of Greenwood Nova Scotia is "We Watch The Waves" something I figure we as kayakers share with this group.
The Cormorant could be a kayakers best friend. These helicopters are amazing and they fly in just about any kind of weather. They have three Turbine engines that give the Search And Rescue machine a range of 1000km and a maximum lift off weight of up to 14,600kg. Based at 3 wings across Canada, the Cormorant fleet serves both the east and the west coast. Roughly 60% of the missions are marine SAR while the other 40% is land.

If you're looking at the under-belly of this thing you are probably in a situation you much rather not be in, if ya had a choice. Such was not my case as I left work on Friday afternoon and this SAR Helicopter was delivering a patient to the hospital. I'm sitting here tonight fiddling with my VHF and hoping I never have to use it to summon this sort of help but relieved knowing it is there. Getting ready to take the VHF course next week. In Canada you have to be licensed to operate one of these so I must take the course, good to have anyway. I shot the under-belly of the helicopter as it was lifting off the landing pad. You can really feel and hear the ripping raw power these things have.