Sea Kayaker's Pocket Guide

Before You Go

Trip Planning

Having a Plan; Getting the Forecast; Timing the Tide

Clothing and Equipment

Staying Warm, Staying Dry; Staying Cool; Life Vests (PFDs); Checking Your Gear; Adjusting the Fit

Pretrip Details

Who to Contact; Float Plan; Ten Essentials; Organizing Your Gear

Launch Day

Transporting Kayaks

Kayaks on Cars; Carrying Your Kayak

At the Beach or Dock

Trimming and Packing the Boat; Launch Site Checklist

Getting In and Out of Your Kayak

At the Beach; Launching and Landing at a Dock; Launching in Surf

On the Water

Paddling Smart

Paddle Grip; Moving Forward; Turning (Sweep Strokes); Pacing; Crossing a Current (Ferrying); Staying on Course

Reading the Conditions

Cloud Types; Beaufort Scale (Wind Speed Table); Predicting Wind Direction; Weather Sayings and Observations; Wave Heights

Group Travel

Formations; Group Signals

Challenges at Sea

Strong Winds; Beam Seas; Following Seas; Squalls; Fog; Boat Traffic

Night Paddling

Traveling Safely; Night Signals

Navigation

Navigation Skills

Compass Rose; Buoys; Light Characteristics; Latitude-Longitude Readings; Taking a Bearing; Line of Position; Ranges; Determining Speed of Travel; Determining a Fixed Point; Tidal Current Calculations; Where Am I?

Electronic Navigation

GPS Waypoints; Storing GPS Information

On the Air

VHF Radio Signals; VHF Radio Protocol

Emergency Situations

When Things Go Wrong

Distress Signals; Lightning; Capsize!; Capsized Partner; Rescue Sling; Lost Kayaker

When It's Time to Tow

Towing in Seas; Close-Contact Towing; Stabilizing the Towed Paddler

Going Ashore

Getting There

Landing Sites; Landing in Surf; Public Access

Camping

Choosing a Campsite; Setting Up Camp; Using Salt Water; How Much Water?; Leave-No-Trace Kayaking; Gray-Water Disposal; Waste Disposal

Wildlife

Sea Birds; Marine Mammals; Stranded Animals

Field Repairs

Boat Repairs

Leaks; Composite (Cloth and Resin) Kayaks; Plastic Kayaks; Rudder and Skeg Jams; Jammed Foot Braces; Bulkhead Repairs

Accessory Repairs

Paddle Breaks; Jammed Paddle Ferrules; Vinyl (Dry Bags, etc.); Dry Suits and Dry Tops; Neoprene

First Aid

Muscles and Joints

Wrist Aches; Shoulder Aches; Dislocated Shoulder; Sprained Ankle; Backaches; Numb Feet

Heat and Cold

Sunburn; Dehydration; Hypothermia; Hyperthermia

Nature's Offerings

Salt-Water Rashes; Barnacle Cuts; Deer Ticks; Red Tide; Brown-Tail Moths; Poisonous Plants

Frequent Complaints

Blisters; Burns; Contact Lens Problems

Index