INTRODUCTION These Safety Guidelines are to help educate members regarding their responsibility for their own safety at all times. See also OAR Policies & Procedures Manual for additional information. All OAR members are expected to promote safe and responsible rowing and comply with these Guidelines. Each member is responsible to carefully assess their ability to row safely under the existing weather, water and traffic conditions each time they launch and row. OAR assumes no responsibility, either expressed or implied, for the personal safety or welfare of any person. See Personal Floatation Device Guideline (page 7) for summary of safe on-water practices and use of PFDs. ROWERS AND COXSWAINS Attend OAR established Safety Fair and/or review prepared alternate material. Be familiar with the US Rowing Association Safety Video Ready All, Row and this OAR Safety Guidelines document and review as necessary. Review and demonstrate knowledge of posted and alternate traffic patterns. Be aware of permanent hazards such as tree stumps, bridge abutments and buoys. COXSWAINS ARE TO: Dress appropriately for weather conditions and water temperatures and wear a PFD vest (not an inflatable belt pack) at all times on the water. A foam floatation suit is not an approved USCG floatation device but serves for warmth. Carry an airhorn for emergency use and orange flag (placed under the bow seat) for use to indicate a rower in the water and as a signal for assistance. Carry a Coxswain Bag containing tools (7/16 wrench, adjustable wrench, Phillips screwdriver), spare parts (nuts, washers, spacers), shoelaces for tie-downs, tape (electrical & athletic), bandages. COACHED SESSIONS ON LAND Before launching rowers and coxswains are to verify: Secure shoe tie downs Secure rigging of seat, rails and oar locks Proper function of cox box, whistle and airhorn (if applicable) 1
Secure skeg and functioning steering mechanism At least one member of the boat is to carry a cell phone Designated rower to sign-out boat with rowers names in logbook. ON WATER All sessions will conform to the following guidelines: Follow this general launch plan: 1. Coach ready to launch from, or be near-by, the dock before OAR rowing boats launch. 2. All boats meet near the angel (the steel triangle shaped structure) before proceeding across the dam or as otherwise directed by coach. 3. All cox d boats carry airhorn located for quick and ready access and orange flag for signaling. Coaches/launch drivers will supervise rowing practices from a motorized launch/ boat that is capable of water rescue of rowers if there is an accident. All boats are to remain within a safe distance, as determined by coach, from the launch. Coaches may use their discretion about exceptions to this rule based on conditions of the water, weather and experience of the rowers and/or coxswains. Boats shall not enter the water, are to head-in immediately or shall head to the nearest point of safety in the event of: Whitecaps in lake area where rowing Any threat of electrical storm Fog rendering visibility to less than 100 yards. Boats on the water during non-daylight hours and during dusk and dawn must use boat lights which meet USCG specifications. Coxswains, single scullers and the bow seat in boats without coxswains will watch vigilantly for oncoming boat traffic and other obstacles and shall not rely on the coach/ launch driver to steer for them. UN-COACHED SESSIONS Comply with all applicable rules for coached sessions. To row any boat in an un-coached session (i.e. 1x or team boats), successfully pass and comply with the requirements of the OAR Flip Test (see page 7). Members may use only those boats (singles and team boats) for which they are coach authorized. Members are to initiate outreach to coach to secure authorization. 2
Authorization and flip test status is posted on the public Flip Test Roster in the boathouse and on the Members site on the webpage. The roster also indicates positions for which rower is coach authorized (e.g. bow). Practicing un-coached in a racing line-up, or similarly arranged un-coached practice, does not relieve any rower from complying with these requirements. Stay close to shore. Watch for water hazards. After each row, inspect boat for damage. Report any damage in the logbook and on the repair area of the white board in the boathouse. Note any hazards or obstructions encountered in the logbook. COACHES AND LAUNCH DRIVERS Coaches and launch riders are required to wear PFD. All launch drivers are to comply with Policy & Procedure Manual Attachment B. Coaches are to ensure cox n wearing PFD vest. At the beginning of each on-water session, coaches are to provide a brief safety message (e.g. highlights of expected rowing conditions, hazards that may be present that day, planned changes to the standard traffic pattern, reminders to check tie-downs). SAFETY LAUNCHES Adhere to speed limits, no-wake zones and be aware of their wake when passing crews on the water. Drivers will attach the Kill Switch Tether firmly to their clothing while the transmission is in gear so that the engine will shut off immediately should the driver fall in or out of the boat. Each launch will carry: Kippy Liddle bag Boat entry ladder (if appropriate for boat) Toolbox with spare rowing equipment and parts USCG approved fire extinguisher Paddles for use in the event of mechanical problems with the launch. IN CASE OF EMERGENCY CHAIN OF COMMAND In coached sessions, the coach is in charge. All coxswains and rowers must follow the directions of the coach on land and on the water. 3
If the coach is not present, the coxswain or bow rower (in sculling boats) is responsible for directions concerning the safety of the crew and boat. If at a regatta, the on-water referees, judges and safety officials may also give direction to the coxswain or crew. PROCESS For emergency assistance: Call 911. Report the location of the incident and the nature of the emergency. Once at the boathouse, as needed, access and call the emergency contacts of rowers involved in the emergency from the Member Files Binder in the boathouse. Report the incident to the OAR President or Vice-President and coach within two hours. Document the incident using Incident Form in Incident Binder in the boathouse within 48 hours. For non-emergency assistance: Call the coach, wave the orange flag, wave your arms and blow your whistle or activate airhorn. Document the incident using the Incident Form in Incident Binder in the boathouse within 48 hours. Notify the coach, if not otherwise involved, within 48 hours of the incident. All emergency and non-routine matters are to be reported according to above protocol (including flipped boats, substantive boat/oar damage). IF YOU FLIP A BOAT If wearing a PFD, determine if you should inflate it (for manual inflate PFDs). Determine if a coach/launch is nearby and can provide assistance. Attempt to right boat, re-enter and row to the nearest shore or dock. Or get flat on top of the overturned boat to use it for floatation and to minimize heat loss. Hand paddle or kick toward shore. If you cannot get in or on the boat inflate your PFD. STAY WITH THE BOAT in almost every situation. IF YOU ARE SWEPT OUT OF A BOAT (e.g. catching a crab) Remain submerged until boat has passed overhead to avoid being hit by an oar. 4
Coxswain (or bow rower) to ascertain if PFD needs to be thrown to rower immediately. Signal coach/launch if available. If possible, crew to back boat adjacent to rower and assist in re-entry. If unable to re-enter boat, coach/safety launch to bring rower into launch. If rower cannot re-enter boat and/or a launch is not near-by, rower should get as much of their body across the hull and out of the water as possible while awaiting additional assistance. IF YOU ARE IN A SWAMPED BOAT Signal coach/safety launch. Do not exit the boat. All boats at OAR are able to stay afloat when swamped (the Pocock 8+s have a reinforced hull). If not wearing PFD, put it on now. If there is not a coach/safety launch near-by, row to nearest shore or dock. A swamped boat can be rowed slowly and with care. FLIP/RE-ENTRY and HULL FLOAT TEST SUMMARY To row any boat (including private and team) during an un-coached row, OAR members are required to pass Flip/Re-entry or Get-on-the-Hull Test and demonstrate knowledge of current OAR Safety Guidelines. Test is conducted in 1x boats. Alternatively, rower may row un-coached by signing and complying with OAR Agreement to Wear PFD. Successful passing of Test is required at a minimum of every three years. Coach authorization, as a subsequent step, is required. All members are encouraged to take Test even if they do not row un-coached. TEST: FLIP AND RE-ENTRY or GET ON THE HULL Test is to be completed in the 1x category (Aero, Maas 24, Maas 27) in which rower intends to row un-coached. Private boat rowers are encouraged to test in their own boat but may test in a category similar to their privately owned boat. 5
Test A: Re-entry of 1x within 10 minutes 1. Rower to flip from 1x into water. If boat does not actually turn upside down, rower is to roll it upside down. (Ten minutes starts) 2. Rower to demonstrate ability to right-side boat. 3. Secure oars and re-enter boat in position to row. Rower may use hoist over gunwale method or harbor seal on the deck method. 4. Secure feet. Demonstrate a few strokes. (Ten minutes ends) Test B: Float and straddle 1x hull of overturned boat within 10 minutes 1. Rower to flip into water. If boat is not upside down, rower is to turn boat to upside down position. (Ten minutes starts) 2. Demonstrate ability to get body out of the water by reaching and climbing across hull of boat. 3. Demonstrate ability to straddle boat achieving a sitting position, wave and blow whistle which is attached to rigging and then paddle boat a few strokes. (Ten minutes ends) BACKGROUND Test will be conducted by OAR coaches in collaboration with the Safety Committee which is also responsible for administrative oversight and tracking. Test will be administered at Dexter Lake during warm water season (60+ F). Test will be given as frequently as is reasonable in response to members desire to participate in Test. While Test is conducted only in 1x boats, all rowers who row in un-coached sessions (e.g. a regatta race line-up wanting extra practice) are required to have passed Test or sign and comply with OAR Agreement to Wear PFD. Rowers are to practice both Test A and B during session. During the OAR Safety Fair and certain coached sessions there will be additional discussion, demonstrations and instructions regarding safety for when boats flip, swamp or otherwise encounter challenging on-water circumstances. Upon successful completion of Test, members are also responsible to obtain coach authorization to row at any un-coached row. Such authorization is by both boat class and, for team boats, seat type (e.g. to bow a quad requires authorization). While authorization need not be renewed, coach may withdraw authorization should this be in the safety interest of the member/club. 6
SAFETY GUIDELINES: Oregon Association of Rowers PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE (PFD) GUIDELINE FOR ALL ROWERS Water/Air Temperature: Degrees Fahrenheit Coached Row Un-coached Row COLDER Water < 50 and/or Air < 40 -Recommend all rowers wear PFD -Cox ns & coaches required to wear PFD -Launch carries Kippy Liddle -Unless Flip Test current, rower required to wear PFD -Wearing PFD strongly recommended for all rowers -Cox ns required to wear PFD -Observe 4 oars rule WARMER Water 50 & over and Air 40 & over -Recommend small boat rowers wear or carry PFD -Cox ns & coaches required to wear PFD -Launch carries Kippy Liddle -Unless Flip Test current, rower required to wear PFD -Wearing or carrying PFD strongly recommended for all rowers -Cox ns required to wear PFD Notes: PFDs are to be approved US Coast Guard (Type III, recreation) vest or inflatable belt pack. Manually inflatable vests most preferred by rowers. Members responsible for their own purchase/maintenance. Water and Air temperature are determined from established links on OAR website. Water temperature < 50 if at any point the day preceding the row it is < 50. Air temperature < 40 if forecast site indicates such temperature at any point during scheduled rowing session. Coxswains to wear PFD vest, not an inflatable belt pack. Note: OAR owned coach flotation suits are not USCG approved floatation devices. They serve as added warmth for coaches in the launch. Small boat is defined as 1x, 2x and 2-. Team boat is defined as 4x, 4+ and 8+. 4 oars rule means at least four oars be on the water, i.e. singles and pairs would row with a buddy. 7