Paddling Safety: Selected Wavelength Articles

The following is a selection of articles published by Wavelength related to safety. Note that many are closely related to skills development articles, more of which can be found here. The best safety technique, often, is learning from the mistakes of others, which makes the "Personal experience" section below good reading for all skill levels.

Managing different conditions:

• Break On Through to the Other Side by Neil Schulman Winter 2007. How to manage swell.

• Scary Critters? by Helen Hess Winter 2007. Managing marine life that stings.

• Paddling The Restless Sea By Bryan Nichols April/May 2006

• Tsunami Awareness story and photos by John Gray October/November 2005

• After Dark by Adam Bolonsky October/November 2005. Great article on kayaking at night.

• Forget the Airfare-Just Dress Warm story and photos by Neil Schulman October/November 2005. A good look at winter/cold weather paddling.

• Cold Water Survival - By Kristin Charleton April/May 2005

• Coping With the Cold by Shelly Saunders April/May 2003

• Paddling Tidal Passes by David Pinel April/May 2003

• The Hazards of Heat, by Paul Nicholazzo  October/November 1999

• Safe Night Paddling - Kayak Night Light by Peter Brand August/September 1999

• Tide Alert - Caution is Advised by Doug Lloyd June/July 1999

• UV and You, by Kathryn Gardner August/September 1998

• Handling Headlands, by Lee Dixon  April/May 1998

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Personal experiences:

• Preparing for Tasmania by Avril Moore Winter 2007

• Bailing by Paula Johanson Winter 2007

• Personal Flotation Devices by Carol-Ann Giroday Winter 2007

• Risk Homeostasis Story Story and photos by Neil Schulman April/May 2006

• New Year's Mistakes Story by Dee Hall April/May 2006

• Cape Cod Ice-Out! Story by Brian Nystrom April/May 2006

• Capsize Story and illustrations by Pete Smith April/May 2006

• The Perception of ‘Safety’ by Alan Wilson April/May 2005

• When Things Go Wrong - By Glen Stedham April/May 2005

• Never Turn Your Back - By Al Keith April/May 2005

• Going Solo - By Rob Zacharias April/May 2005

• Training—the BCU Way - By Ted Danforth April/May 2005

• Group Rescues - By Jonathan Weingast April/May 2005

• Keeping It Together By Dan Lewis April/May 2005

• Kayaks to the Rescue by Alan Wilson February/March 2005

• What Can Go Wrong On the Water - Story and photos by Lyn Hancock April/May 2004

• Paddling With Wind - Two Approaches - by Alan Wilson April/May 2004

• Assisted Rescues - Story and photos by Alan Wilson April/May 2004

• Big Picture Rescues - by Alex Matthews April/May 2004

• Time Well Wasted by Dan Lewis April/May 2004. Rescue techniques.

• A Holiday to Remember by Dan Lewis October/November 2002

• Night of the Rising River by Dan Lewis June/July 2001

• What Went Wrong, by Lee Dixon February/March 1998

• Close call in cold water February/March1995

• Near tragedy - lessons learned February/March1995

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Safety primers:

• Safety Scenario - By Andree Hurley April/May 2005
  

• Choosing a Safe Tour Operator - Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC April/May 2005

• Upside Wrong By Bryan Nichols April/May 2005

• Bulldog-and-Tandem Tow By Adam Bolonsky April/May 2005

• Getting There Is Half the Battle - By Neil Schulman April/May 2005

• Decision Making - By Robert Brown April/May 2005

• The Human Factor - By Jonathan Weingast April/May 2005

• Mercia to the Rescue - By Dennis McFadden April/May 2005

• Paddling Like A Boater By Adam Bolonsky February/March 2005

• The “What-ifs” of Solo Kayaking - Story and photos by Neil Schulman April/May 2004

• Decision Making in a Crisis - by Michael Pardy April/May 2004

• Safety & Rescue Book by Bryan Nichols April/May 2003

• Staying Out of Deep Trouble by Dan Lewis April/May 2002. Handling group dynamics.

• Watch Those Fires by Sue Handel February/March 2002

• If Your Kayak Lacks Bulkheads by Mercia Sixta August/September 2001

• Pactice Sound Judgment originally printed by Backpackers Supply used with permission April/May 2001

• Woodworking Safety by Doug Lloyd February/March 2001

• Leaving a Margin for Error by Dan Lewis August/September 2000

• How Not to Become a Speed Bump by Dan Lewis April/May 2000

• The Hazards of Harvesting - Marine Biotoxins, by Rupert Wong December/Janury 2000

• Emergency Repair Kit by Dave Blacoe and Mercia Sixta June/July 1999

• Kayak Gear - First Aid by Paul Nicolazzo June/July 1999

• Preventable Tragedies, Lee (Dixon) Hindrichs October/November 1998

• When the Unexpected Happens, by Lee Dixon August/September 1998

• Bear in Mind by Deborah Leach

• Maintaining Perspective in a Changing World, by Lee Dixon June/July 1998

• Responsible Paddling, by Lee Dixon December/January 1998

• Float Plans and Trip Preparation December/January 1998

• Cougar Safety Tips August/September 1997

• Before You Go... by Chris Ladner February/March 1997

• From Calamity to Control -- Trip Risk Assessment, by Doug Alderson April/May 1996

• Trip Grading, from SKABC April/May 1996

• Paddling With the BIG Boats -- A Ferry Officer's Advice, by Gerry Lavallee February/March 1996

• All season clothing February/March1995

• Hypothermia: Impacts & Prevention February/March 1995

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Weather:

• Know Which Way the Wind Blows by Dan Lewis Winter 2007

• Which Way is the Wind Blowing? by Graham Shuley April/May 2001

• The Fog, by Bob Meyers August/September1995