rolling Safety Gear Guide
BE ON THE SAFE SIDE—5 GADGETS THAT SUCK, SLICE, RECEIVE, SEND AND SIGNAL
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1.
PUMP, WHISTLE, TOWLINE: In addition to your paddle and PFD, the minimum safety items required by safe-boating regula-
tions are a whistle, rope and pump. The NORTH WATER REC BOAT SAFETY KIT covers the bases for recreational kayakers. It includes North Water’s new easy-to-use 15-metre RecTow Tether system de- signed for short-distance tows in calm water, a Fox 40 whistle, an Aqu- abound BilgeMaster Pump and a Bungy Paddle Leash so your paddle doesn’t drift away while you’re trying to save your buddy or yourself. Throw 15 metres (50 feet) of “buoyant heaving line” (aka rope) into your hatch and you’ll be ready for a Coast Guard spot check. $95 Cdn, $85 US;
www.northwater.com.
2.
KNIFE: A knife is not a required safety item, yet for some reason nearly every serious kayaker has one strapped to their chest. A
knife is a good idea anytime you’re working with rope around water—if you carry a tow kit, carry a knife. Look for a knife with one-handed ac- cess and a semi-rounded or “sheepsfoot” tip so you don’t poke a hole in your sandwich while spreading P.B.—which is to say that lunch- time is the occasion you’re most likely to unsheathe your blade. Gour- mands should note that a serrated blade is useful for sawing through dry salami while non-serrated is better for thinly slicing cheeses and vegetables. Fortunately, the BENCHMADE 100SH20 has a bit of both. Its plastic sheath includes a lash tab clip for attachment to a PFD. The rust-resistant stainless steel blade is designed for saltwater. $140 US;
www.benchmade.com.
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RADIO: You can use a cell phone to call for help in some areas, but not many phones are submersible like a radio, nor do they
provide direct access to the Coast Guard and nearby boaters via channel 16. Now you won’t be tempted to bring your MP3-playing cell phone along just to break up the monotony of listening to the weather chan- nels, because the STANDARD HORIZON HX471S VHF also receives standard AM/FM stations. This compact, feature-packed handheld also operates on FRS (Family Radio Service) channels so you can yak with your buddies on land or water without clogging up the airwaves. Other feaures: a mini SOS distress strobe light signal, magnesium casing, a 12-hour lithium-ion battery and a three-year warranty that covers water damage. $300 Cdn, $250 US;
www.standardhorizon.com.
4.
PLB: By no means a safety essential, but a last-resort signalling option worth considering if you’re heading beyond radio or cell
phone range, is a personal locator beacon or PLB. A PLB is a pocket- sized version of an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB). The beauty of a PLB is that it can broadcast your precise identity and location via satellite to search and rescue authorities from anywhere in the world—at the flip of a switch. The ACR RESQFIX is the newest and smallest PLB on the market. At 285 grams (10 ounces), it’s small and light enough to slip into a PFD pocket. The built-in GPS shortens search time by broadcasting your location to within 100 metres. The ResQFix is FCC approved for use in the U.S., with Canadian approval anticipated by the summer. $740 US;
www.acrelectronics.com.
5 38 | | ADVENTURE KAYAK early summer 2007 5.
VISUAL SIGNALLING DEVICE: Never rely exclusively on your VHF or PLB. You should also have one or two visual signals up
your sleeve to show would-be rescuers your exact position. These may include smoke canisters or a signal mirror for day, and flares or a strobe light for night. The PRINCETON TEC AQUA STROBE is one of the most compact and attractive strobes we’ve found. It’s compact, runs on a single AA battery and comes with a strap and lash points to attach to the back of a PFD. Flashes 70 times per minute and floats head-up in water. $40 US;
www.princetontec.com. —Tim Shuff
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