Dragon Boating - Safety
Safety is of primary importance in our team. While rare, accidents can and do happen in Dragon Boat training or racing - and in many water sports. If you are new to the sport, please familiarise yourself with the details so when a situation arises, you will be prepared.
The following has been adapted from the International Dragon Boat Federation's (IDBF) Water Safety Policy. This document and additional related documents can be found at the following site: http://www.dragonboat.org.uk/idbf/handbook.htm
Dragon Boat Racing - A Guide to Safety on the Water
This abridged guide is primarily for those organising or competing in the sport of Dragon Boat Racing. It covers their responsibilities when participating in a dragon boat event and should therefore be used as a general guide to 'Safety on the Water' in a competitive situation.
The Conditions
Because of the size and design of the Dragon Boat, and the water conditions in which racing takes place, that is placid water, dragon boating is inherently safe and a capsize especially in such conditions, unless the crew is at fault, is a rarity.
However, in any water sport, because of the environment itself, there is always an element of danger. Add to this the folly and impatience of human nature and the ingredients for an accident may eventually come together to the detriment of the sport as a whole. Dragon Boat Racing is no exception to the rule and it is the duty of all who practise the sport - competitors, race organisers, coaches and officials alike - to be aware of the potential dangers inherent in the sport; to be safety conscious - not safety extreme - and to ensure that dragon boating is conducted in a responsible manner.
In adverse weather conditions and when there are strong winds, Dragon Boats can be swamped with water and have been known to capsize, especially when turning sideways on to the prevailing wind or wave pattern. The inexperience of the crew in such circumstances can be a major factor in a boat capsizing.
In all water conditions, good or bad, the key to safety is the application of good old COMMON SENSE by all those taking part in the activity. Playing around in a Dragon Boat and deliberately capsizing it, even in warm and sunny conditions, can be dangerous to both the crew and other water users alike. In certain circumstances it could be lethal; a Dragon Boat moving at speed through the water cannot easily be stopped and another crew in the water from a capsized boat cannot easily be seen!
Crews that cause another boat to capsize when racing, or who ram another boat during a race, will be disqualified from the event.
Roles of Responsibility
Dragon Boat Racing is a 'team sport', each boat carries a crew equivalent to two soccer teams. It is not unusual for over 100 competitors to be on the water, in one race. The safety of this number of competitors at any one time, is the concern of many people but primarily the Event Organiser and the Chief Official. However, 'Safety on the Water' is also the concern of every Crew Member.
The broad areas of responsibility for safety are:-
The Crew Manager. It is the Crew Manager's responsibility to ensure that all the crew members can swim to the required standard; that any weak swimmers are provided with PFDs; that the Crew List is completed and lodged with the Race Secretary; that the crew is briefed on the Racing Rules and 'Safety on the Water' and that at all times they are 'fit to race'. This means that it is the Crew Manager's responsibility to ensure that 'socialising' does not adversely affect the performance of the crew on the water.
The Crew Members. It is the responsibility of the crew members to ensure that when they are on the water that they are adequately dressed for the weather conditions and comply with all instructions given to them. Dragon Boating is a social sport too, so don't put the safety of the whole crew in jeopardy through alcohol, thoughtlessness or excessive horseplay.
The Sweep (Boat Steerer). It is the Sweep's responsibility to make the final check to ensure that that the boat is water worthy and in racing condition and that all crew members are correctly briefed on boat handling and capsize drills. The Sweep should also check that crew members are suitably dressed for the weather conditions and not wearing anything that may impede their ability to exit the boat or swim in the event of a capsize or boat swamping.
When on the water the Sweep shall ensure that collisions with other craft are avoided. In the event of a boat swamping or capsize, the Sweep shall ensure that the capsize drills are correctly carried out and that all competitors are accounted for and rescued.
The Captain. It is the Captain's responsibility that all of the functions above are enforced and to take on the responsibilities that are generally attributed to the role.
Before Embarking
Swimming - The Standard Required. Ideally, all members in a dragon boat crew should be able to swim at least 50 meters, but as a minimum, they must be water competent in cold and moving water and when dressed in light clothing, that is, racing dress (shorts and vest) plus waterproof top and trousers and light footwear (trainers, flip flops or similar footwear). (A persons swimming ability should be confirmed by testing, where possible, during training).
Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs) - When to wear them. In a formal competitive event and on a placid water course, in normal summer conditions, and providing that the individual can swim, the IDBF Rules of Racing do not require an experienced competitor to wear a Personal Floatation Device or Aid (PFD), such as a Buoyancy Aid. (This is in line with comparable water sports, such as Rowing and Canoe & Kayak Racing).
Where local regulations at race site require water users to wear PFDs, all crews will wear them, irrespective of their experience in the sport. In such cases it is the Event Organisers responsibility to notify crews whether or not the water operator provides PFDs and if NOT, it is the Crew managers responsibility to ensure that the crew has sufficient of their own to cater for any water conditions that they may encounter.
However, even in perfect racing conditions, both the Boat Sweep and Drummer are advised to wear PFDs and all competitors under the age of 12 years old, must wear them. The Event Organiser should also provide PFDs for all other competitors who request them, or at the Crew Manager's request.
In an informal competitive event, such as a Festival Race, all competitors are advised to wear PFDs, which should be supplied by the Event Organiser concerned.
In adverse racing (or training conditions) in temperate summer conditions, especially on open water or rivers, Crew Managers of experienced crews should advise all their competitors to wear PFDs and ensure that weak swimmers and those uncomfortable in such conditions do wear them. In any event Novice Paddlers (those with less than 1 years racing experience) and Junior Paddlers (those under 18 years old) will wear PFDs in such conditions. When racing or training in cold water (temperate climate winter) conditions, all competitors are advised to wear PFDs.
On the Water
Boat Balance: Before leaving the embarking area, the Boat Captain (or Sweep) should ensure that the boat is well balanced. That is, that each pair of racers are of similar weight or height and that, generally, the heavier pairs are seated in the boat's middle section. The Boat Captain must know the number of people in the boat, when the crew is embarked.
The Buddy System: The crew should be 'numbered off' from the front of the boat and made aware that they are each responsible for the person they are paired with (across the boat) and that in the event of a capsize or the boat being swamped, their first responsibility is to ensure that their partner is safe and well.
This is called the 'buddy system' and it gives each person in the boat a specific responsibility for another. The 'Stroke Pair' (first pair - No.2 left and 3 right) in the boat are responsible for the Drummer (1) and the 'rear pair' (last pair) for the Sweep (22).
Steadying the Boat: A boat will feel 'tippy' especially if the crew is out of balance or moving about in an uncoordinated manner. To steady the boat in such circumstances (and when sideways on to the wind or wave pattern) the crew should be instructed by the Sweep to slightly lean out over the side of the boat and place their paddle blades flat on the water, at arms length.
With all of the paddles on the water in this manner (10 either side) the boat is effectively stabilised. This is called a paddle brace and the Sweep's command should be 'Paddles Flat' or 'Brace the Boat'.
Stopping the Boat: When manoeuvring, turning or in a race it may be necessary to stop the boat suddenly, say to avoid a collision with another vessel. It is important that the crew reacts quickly but safely. An unbalanced crew over-reacting can capsize their own boat!
The initial command should be 'Stop the Boat' if the boat is unstable and there is no immediate danger of a collision.
In a race situation when a collision is imminent, the Sweep must immediately tell the crew to 'Stop the Boat'. Failure by the Crew to stop the boat in such circumstances will result in disqualification.
Lights
For the safety of own crew and other vessels on water, dragon boat teams must have lights installed on boats to paddle after dark:
The NSW Maritime Code of Conduct outlines the lighting requirements below
- Lights need to be attached forward end and aft end
- Lights can be either two continuous white lights, 2 flashing white lights or a combination of both
- The lights must be visible in clear conditions from a distance of 1 kilometer
- There is no necessity for the lights to be 1 meter about the gunwale ie can be attached to the dragon boat
- No lights other than white are acceptable ie flashing red lights are not approved
The Code is endorsed by DBNSW Inc. and is relevant to all Clubs throughout New South Wales.
Capsizing
What to Do: In the event of a Dragon Boat capsizing each pair of paddlers should first account for their buddies. The Boat Captain should immediately ensure that all the crew are accounted for by calling out their numbers and noting the response or if this is not possible by a head count. The crew must initially stay with the boat and leave it in the capsized position. When a boat has over-turned never swim underneath it but in such circumstances, it can be used as a floating platform, provided the crew space themselves evenly around the boat. Alternatively, under the instructions of the Boat Captain the boat may be rolled back to the upright position and used to support the crew. In all situations the Boat Captain should remain in control of the crew and, in a race situation, await the arrival of the rescue boats. The crew should if their paddles are within easy reach, attempt to retrieve them.
On the arrival of the rescue boats, the crew should move as directed by the operators of the boats, with the Boat Captain remaining in the water until all members of the crew have been rescued. (If there are insufficient boats to rescue all the crew in one go and the water conditions are kind, or it is shallow, then up to a six crew members can remain with the boat and start to 'swim it' to the nearest shore. This should only be done under the Boat Captain's control and when the swimmers are capable and not at risk). After the crew is safe a rescue boat may be used to recover the Dragon Boat. (In cold water conditions, whilst awaiting rescue, crew members should, when holding onto the boat, try to conserve body heat by curling their legs up towards their chests and remaining as still and as calm as possible).
Unescorted Crews: If there is no rescue boat available then in calm conditions, the whole crew may attempt to 'swim' the boat to the nearest safe landing point, as directed by the Boat Captain. If conditions are not suitable for 'swimming' the boat, then as a last resort the crew may leave the boat and swim to shore in pairs, using the 'buddy' system, again under the control of the Boat Captain. As with other methods, the crew must be accounted for at all times during any attempts to swim the boat or as pairs under the buddy system. However, In a training situation crew members are advised not attempt to swim to shore unless they are wearing PFDs. Should there be no alternative but to swim for the shore then any crew member who is not wearing a PFD should join a 'buddy pair' with PFDs, or make up a group (or groups) of three, to provide mutual support and assistance during the swim.
Recovery of Craft: As soon as the boat is alongside the water's edge, the crew must again be accounted for on the land and any injuries dealt with immediately. If upturned, the boat may then be turned the right way up (in the water) and bailing out commenced. The boat SHOULD NOT be dragged out of the water unless there is only a small amount of water left in it, as this puts a considerable strain on the hull of the boat. Once the boat is almost empty of water it may be lifted on to the bank and checked for damage and all the boat's equipment accounted for.
Practice Drills. It is recommended that crews training regularly together should be introduced to a least one controlled capsize and an unescorted recovery exercise, at an early stage in their training and then annually. This practice drill should be set up carefully taking into account the time of year and the weather and water conditions. During such drills all crew members must wear PFDs, irrespective of their competitive experience, general physical fitness or swimming ability and a rescue boat should be on standby.
IN CONCLUSION. Safety is the concern of every crew member and is largely a matter of COMMON SENSE - USE IT! The overall responsibility for the crew off the water is the Crew Manager's and on the water is the Boat Captain's. It is every competitor and official's responsibility to ensure that Dragon Boat Racing is conducted as SAFELY AS POSSIBLE.