INTRODUCTION These Safety Guidelines are to help educate members regarding their responsibility for their own safety at all times. All OAR members are expected to promote safe and responsible rowing at all times Each member is responsible to carefully assess their ability to row safely under the existing weather, water, and traffic conditions any time they launch and row OAR assumes no responsibility, either expressed or implied, for the personal safety or welfare of any person. ROWERS & COXSWAINS OAR rowers and coxswains are to complete the following BEFORE entering boats on the water per the schedule noted: Sign a US Rowing Association Liability Waiver on-line annually. Complete a Medical Emergency Contact form on file with OAR. Update as needed. Document successful completion of the OAR Swim/Float Test or completion of OAR PFD Agreement to wear US Coast Guard approved life vest whenever on the water for an OAR activity. Review and demonstrate knowledge of the posted and alternate traffic patterns. Be aware of permanent hazards such as tree stumps, bridge abutments, and buoys. View on-line available US Rowing Association Safety Video Ready All, Row annually. Review this OAR Safety Guidelines document annually. Learn to Row Participants and Non-member Guests are to complete the following BEFORE entering boats on the water: Sign and return the US Rowing Association Liability Waiver Complete a Medical Emergency Contact form on file with OAR and update as needed. Document successful completion of the OAR Swim/Float Test or completion of OAR PFD Agreement to wear a US Coast Guard approved life vest whenever on the water. Guests may signify their ability to complete this test on Liability Waiver. Comply with the following PFD Rule. 1
Personal Floatation Device (PFD) Rule: For All Rowers and Guests Water/Air Temperature: Degrees Fahrenheit Coached Row Uncoached Row COLDER Water under 50 and/or Air under 40 -ALL rowers & cox ns wear PFD -Launch carries Kippie Liddle -Mobile phone available w/ coach contact number -ALL rowers & cox ns wear PFD - 4 oars rule in effect -Mobile phone available WARMER Water 50 & over AND Air 40 & over -Small boat rowers wear or carry PFD -Cox ns wear PFD -Launch carries Kippie Liddle -Mobile phone available w/ coach contact number -Small boat rowers wear or carry PFD -Cox ns wear PFD -Team boats wear or carry PFD -Mobile phone available Notes: PFDs are to be approved US Coast Guard (Type III, recreation) vest or inflatable belt pack. Inflatable vests would likely be most preferred by rowers. There are both automatic and manual inflation vests and inflatable belt packs available for around $100. Each member would be responsible for their OWN purchase/maintenance. Water and Air temperature are to be determined from OAR website established links. Water temperature is less than 50 if at any point the day preceding the row it is less than 50. Air temperature is less than 40 if linked forecast site indicates such temperature at any point during scheduled rowing session. Coxswains wear a PFD vest NOT an inflatable belt pack. OAR owned coach flotation suits are not USCG approved floatation devices. They are to serve for 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 need to row with a buddy. A double could row alone. Mobile phone availability means that designated person in team boats (cox n or bow) or one individual in small boat have phone in waterproof floating holder. Coaches are to have phone in launch. Cox sn/rower s phone should have coach on speed dial and be able to call 911. By having coach available by mobile phone could limit time at risk should an incident occur some distance from the launch. 2
SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR COACHED SESSIONS On Land - Before launching rowers and coxswains will verify: Secure shoe tie downs Secure rigging of seat, rails and oar lock Proper function of cox box and whistle Secure skag and functioning steering mechanism Stroke rower sign-out boat and rowers names in Log Book On the Water - All sessions will conform to the following guidelines: 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 200 yards of 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. Compliance with the PFD Rule. Boats will not enter the water, will head in immediately, or will 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 will not rely on the coach/ launch driver to steer for them. For each of the following, review instructions shown in the US Rowing Safety video annually or more regular basis as needed. If you flip a boat: Determine if you should inflate your PFD if not automatic-inflate model. Determine if a coach/launch is nearby and can provide assistance. Attempt to right boat, climb into the boat and row it to the nearest shore or dock as circumstances dictate If you cannot get in the boat, get your body flat on top of the the overturned boat and use it for floatation and to minimize body heat loss. Hand paddle or kick toward shore as circumstances permit 3
If you cannot get in the boat and have not yet inflated your PFD, do so now. STAY with the boat in almost every situation. If you are swept out of a team boat (e.g. catching a crab): Remain submerged until boat has passed overhead to avoid being hit by an oar Coxswain to ascertain if PFD needs to be thrown to rower immediately Signal coach/launch if available If possible, back boat adjacent to rower and assist in re-entry If unable to re-enter boat, coach/safety launch will bring rower into launch If rower cannot re-enter boat and/or a launch is not near-by, rower should move to hull to get as much of their body out of water as possible while awaiting additional assistance If you are in a boat that is swamped: Signal coach/safety launch Do NOT leave the boat. All boats at OAR are able to stay afloat when swamped (the Pocock 8+s have a reinforced hull). If not wearing PFDs 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. Coxswains will: Dress appropriately for the weather conditions and water temperatures and will wear a PFD vest (not an Inflatable Belt Pack) at ALL times. A foam floatation suit is not an approved USCG floatation device but serves for warmth. Carry an orange flag that is placed under the bow seat to indicate a rower in the water or to signal for emergency 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. SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR UN-COACHED SESSIONS Comply with all applicable rules for COACHED SESSIONS including PFD RULE Successfully pass the OAR Flip Test and renew on 3 year cycle Members may take out club boats (singles and team boats) ONLY for those in which they are COACH APPROVED. Stay close to shore. Watch for water hazards. 4
After each row inspect boat for damage. Report any damage in the logbook and on the Repair area of the white board in the Boat House. Note hazards and obstructions encountered in the logbook. EMERGENCIES 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. If the coach is not present, the coxswain or bow rower is responsible for the safety of the crew and boat. If at a regatta on-water referees, judges and safety officials may also give direction to the coxswain or crew. Process If you need non-emergency assistance on the water, call the coach (if a coached row) or wave the orange flag, wave your arms and blow your whistle to get the attention of other boaters on the water. If further assistance is needed, call 911. If there is a health or safety emergency on the water or at the boathouse, the coach or next responsible person will use their judgment to: Call 911 using a cell phone, reporting the location on the lake of the incident and the nature of the emergency Once on shore, access and call the emergency contacts of rowers involved in the emergency from the file stored in the Boat House Report the incident to the OAR President or Vice-President within two hours. Document the incident using US Rowing Incident Report form located in the Incident Binder at the Boat House within 48 hours. COACHES AND LAUNCH DRIVERS Are to comply with PFD Rule Provide evidence of the following PRIOR to driving a launch at any OAR activity: A current Oregon State Marine Board Certificate Current CPR and First Aid Certifications Thorough familiarity and compliance with OAR Safety Guidelines and Policies At the beginning of each on-water session, coaches will provide rowers with a short safety message highlighting likely rowing conditions and/or hazards that may 5
be present on that day including any planned changes to the standard traffic pattern. Safety Launches: Will 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 which is to be checked every three months by a member of the Safety Committee. Toolbox with spare rowing equipment and parts. USCG approved fire extinguisher. Paddles for use in the event of mechanical problems with the launch. 6