Paddling Safety

Hui O Mana Ka Puʻuwai CC Health and Safety Protocols

  • Kaʻaʻike pānaʻi (Transfer of Knowledge)

    Effective positive communication between club members enhances outrigger canoe paddling crew wellness and safety.

    Race Directors, club coaches, and division steerspeople share responsibility in communicating for safe paddling and club leaders want all members to advocate for keeping each other safe.

    Prior to paddling, coaches and/or steerspeople will brief ocean conditions. Safety precautions will be put in place to address potential hazards.

    Steerspeople in each crew division are responsible for making sure the canoe is rigged appropriately for ocean conditions and that all safety gear are in place. All crew are invited to steersperson meetings to assure that more than one crew member heard the race instructions to support the steersperson.

    In an OC 6 crew race, the steersperson is the spokesperson for the crew and will lead and direct during the race. A pre-brief is recommended to go over the race course and strategy along with huli drill reminders. It would be beneficial that a backup steersperson is appointed in case something happens to the primary steersperson.

    Everyone in the canoe is responsible for checking that the canoe is ready to paddle. Paddlers are expected to speak up if any safety concerns are noticed (refer to canoe safety and readiness).

    During races, race directors set race courses and monitor them for safety. Race committee will review race conditions and modify courses for safety as needed.

  • Kuleana (Responsibility)

    Individual crew responsibility includes:

    ● Know your seat role

    ● If you need help say so

    ● Be properly hydrated - bring hydration gear

    ● Wear PFD if needed

    ● Bring personal gear needed to support you during race

    ● Wear sunscreen and hat

    ● Treat open wounds accordingly prior to practice or race

    ● Notify the coach/steersperson of any health concerns that you have and are prepared with any prescription medications that you might need during paddling (seasickness, diabetic, need to wear PFD etc.)

    ● Know how to right a canoe-Huli drill

  • Mākaukau (Canoe Safety and Readiness)

    It is everyone’s responsibility to assure the canoe is safe and ready to be paddled.

    ● Paddlers should be maka’ala (alert, vigilant and watchful).

    ● The rigging needs to be intact and correct.

    ● The plugs need to be tightened.

    ● 2 bailers should be attached to the canoe.

    ● A spare paddle should be secured to the ʻiako.

    ● A cellphone or radio should be available for emergencies.

    ● A safety bag should be available for open ocean paddling.

    ● First aid and CPR training is recommended.

    ● Know your role in righting a canoe-Huli drill

Puuwai First Aid 

Always notify medic, safety officers and the steersperson of preexisting conditions.


  • Hypothermia

    Symptoms: 

    Drop in body temperature

    Shivering

    Muscle function impaired

    Slowing mental and physical capacity

    Prevention: 

    Dress appropriately

    Get paddler out of water ASAP

    Treatment:

    Remove wet clothing

    Skin to skin contact

    Wrap in space blanket


    Heat Exhaustion

    **This is a precursor to Heat Stroke, watch carefully.

    Symptoms:

    Weakness

    Muscle cramps

    Nausea & vomiting

    Headache

    Sweating

    Near fainting

    Prevention:

    Avoid alcohol 

    Hydrate before and during paddling

    Wear light colored cloths

    Use sunscreen

    Treatment: 

    Hydration

    Cool down (water,cool compress)

    Rest

    Heat Stroke

    Dizzy, Confused

    Rapid pulse & breathing

    Loss of consciousness

    Seizures

    Hot, dry skin

    Prevention: same as Heat Exhaustion

    Treatment

    If coherent, give water or sport drink

    Wet down and fan

    Forearms in the water (active cooling)

    Call 911 or radio Channel 16 

  • Asthma Attack

    Symptoms: Difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, tight chest

    Prevention:

    Follow your doctor's treatment plan

    Manage your triggers

    Treatment: 

    Stop paddling, sit up

    Stay calm

    Use paddlers prescribed inhaler

    Some should use inhaler before exercise begins


    Allergic Reaction 

    If bee sting,  remove stinger

    Stay calm

    Use their EpiPen, if available

    Sitting position for breathing

    If pass out, lay them in bottom of canoe


    Lacerations/Bleeding

    Direct pressure with gauze or towel

    Use Coban and/or duct tape to hold in place

    Rapid pulse & breathing

    Loss of consciousness

    Seizures

    Hot, dry skin

    Prevention: same as Heat Exhaustion

    Treatment

    If coherent, give water or sport drink

    Wet down and fan

    Forearms in the water (active cooling)

    Call 911 or radio Channel 16 


    Diabetic Reaction low blood sugar

    Symptoms:

    Confused

    Pale

    Irritability or anxiety 

    Shakiness

    Weak

    Passed out

    Prevention: Monitor blood sugar

    Treatment for low blood sugar

    Candy/energy gel/honey

    Fluid with sugar

  • Chest Pain/Heart Attack

    Symptoms:

    Chest, neck, jaw, shoulder, back, or arm pain

    Trouble breathing, sweating, dizzy, nausea

    Prevention: Regular checkups

    Treatment

    Stop paddling, rest

    Get to shore ASAP

    Call 911 or radio Channel 16

    Position of comfort for breathing

    Seizure-uncontrolled muscle spasm

    Treatment:

    Lay in bottom of canoe 

    Cushion their head 

    Do Not put anything in their mouth

    Turn on their side when shaking stops

    Typically wake up in 5 -10 minutes

    Seek medical care when possible

    Cardiac Arrest

    Symptoms: 

    Not responding

    Gasping or not breathing

    No pulse

    Prevention: Stop paddling if you have chest pain or heart palpitations. 

    Treatment: 

    Call 9-1-1 or radio Channel 16. Say: “Mayday, Mayday Mayday! Outrigger canoe requesting assistance.  Medical emergency.  CPR in progress. Approximate location is . . .” 

    Head toward shore

    Lay torso across seat or in the bottom of the canoe 

    Begin chest compressions.

    PUUWAI SAFETY/MEDICAL KIT

    CPR mask

    Mylar blanket

    Tourniquet-2 per bag (could also use spare rubber as tourniquet) 

    Sterile surgical dressing

    Coban-self adherent elastic wrap

    Cloth used for pressure dressing to control bleeding (can use rubber to secure)

    Spare rubber

    Whistle, knife, duct tape

    Energy gel, hydration powder

ʻOhana (Family)

As a club, we embrace the Hawaiian values of love, support, and mutual care. Everyone in the club is equally important. 

Please treat each other with love and respect. In order for our club to get to the high performing stage, we will have to go through the stages of team development (forming, storming, norming and performing) and conflicts and disagreements might arise. 

Hui O Mana Ka Pu’uwai has two Sergeant of Arms who are available to mediate for conflict resolution (Ho’oponopono). We encourage paddlers to reach out to one of the officers and/or Sergeant of Arms if you would like support!