Never Do This! "Kayaking Safety Tip #01"

[@michaelmitchell7879]

YOU ARE TOO COOL! awesome videos! i took a whitewater rescue class many years ago. "WE NEVER BOATED"! we swimmed and performed rescue. I think nowadays people believe they can boat and rescue. pick up some carabiners,rope,etc... and i am good. there is a difference between rescue on water and paddling on water. combine them and it is a whole other world. get instruction guys!!!

[@WadeHarrison]

Great information thanks

[@kenwebster5053]

Well, I mostly do solo kayaking on flat water, lakes sea etc these days. So I carry a PLB clipped on my vest with a carabiner, also a marine safety knife on my vest belt. I do that because a PLB, 1st aid kit or safety knife that is not within reach is the same as no PLB, 1st aid or safety knife at all. You can't rely on having these items available if they are stowed in or on your boat, they must be on your person at all times, no exceptions ever, not even when you stop on a shoreline for a pee.

[@WadeHarrison]

Agree and I store all this in my vest on me I always say that when paddlers put gear in their boats

[@TheAndyshan]

These videos are great, thanks for calling this stuff out. One friend had a massive fright from carrying a snap gate on his shoulder strap many years ago. When he went for a roll the krab snapped itself onto the rear grab handle meaning he was caught upside down unable to roll and unable to free his legs to exit the boat. Luckily in moderate water and in company so he was quickly rescued, but in other circumstances he might not have been so lucky. A freak accident, but highlights the unpredictable dangers of wearing something designed to clip so effortlessly. Still gives me the heebie-jeebies when I see people doing it.

[@WadeHarrison]

That’s crazy I actually heard so many stories now of random carabiners clipping into things glad he was alright

[@DustinRea]

This would make a great coffee table book- with pictures and images of scenarios. Because then peoples kids read them and develop great habits before they even get into adrenaline sports.

[@WadeHarrison]

yup so true

[@bonasa99]

Glad to see this common sense approach. I see people with all kinds of stuff on their vests--tellingly those people don't have names like Dane Jackson--or Wade Harrison. Back in the olden days--think late 80s--I put a Tekna dive knife on my vest strap. Didn't leave it there long. One swim convinced me it was a bad idea. Nothing bad happened, but I saw the potential. A serrated Spyderco rescue folder with a blunt tip replaced it and went in a pocket on the vest--I bought the first vest I saw with a decent pocket. A couple of 'biners and two prusiks went into a nylon bag. The drawstring of the little bag was around the hang-on-to-it-when-you-throw end of a compact throwbag which was kept easily accessible in the boat. I had one of the first that used Spectra rope. The new vests with the easy to get to pockets are super nice.

[@WadeHarrison]

Exactly most is just common sense

[@PenelopeRose238]

Is this just for whitewater? My PFD has a small loop and I have a little carabiner clip for my phone tether but I only do flatwater....

[@WadeHarrison]

Yes Whitewater you be totally fine in flat nothing to snag on

[@DejanSmaic]

I run a twist gate only and use it religiously because getting out of the boat often, keeping teh spray skirt up, tethering my handheld GoPro, etc...But, I would NEVER keep an 'biner on my PFD with out a locking twist gate "twist" gate. I have called out some people without the twist gate.

[@WadeHarrison]

Nice thanks for the feedback!

[@DejanSmaic]

@@WadeHarrison dude keep pumping out your stuff…always good! Also, your video came up in our conversation while on Confluence WW Park in Denver today.

[@WadeHarrison]

@@DejanSmaic that’s awesome I will be out in CO this spring if all Goes good next few months be good to meet up

[@smuir6104]

had a safety instructor suggesting that people should do it! But it didn't make sense to me, thanks for confirming my hunch

[@WadeHarrison]

That’s very interesting I can believe it because honestly it’s not that difficult to become a instructor just need 2 things time and money to get certified trust me I’m shocked by some people I know that are quote “instructors”? I know a lot of really good ones also and I actually reached out to few on this topic and all said it’s dangerous and not something they will ever suggest..one told me of a story of a Paddler landing a boof and the clip flopped up and split the guys lip and chipped his tooth. So yeah sitting there bleeding that guy took the clips off right there in the eddy and said well that was dumb having them there….

[@FastFredRuddock]

Thank you for covering this. One on my pet peeves!

[@WadeHarrison]

Mine as well Fred It drives me bananas when I see it I always call them out!

[@kieranmcleay2682]

Again good video mate

[@WadeHarrison]

Thanks Kieran!

[@fritzrademacher]

I have my carabiner there because its the one from my cowtail and I Donut have an other place at my vest where I could place it.

[@WadeHarrison]

Oh wow no definitely don’t hook that tow teether/cow tail there take that off ASAP trust me.. What vest are you using? And my advice just ditch that thing it’s way more of a problem then a recuse device!!

[@fritzrademacher]

@@WadeHarrison I don't know the exact name but I guess it was some kind of the former NRS ZEN model.

[@WadeHarrison]

@@fritzrademacher ok I was just curious

[@shaneoakley8757]

But it looks so cool to have a biner on your shoulder strap..

[@WadeHarrison]

It does look cool 😎

[@matthewmahon2453]

Well thank you for calling me out . I'm not offend . Very appreciative . Had no idea . Thank you God Bless and stay safe on the river .

[@WadeHarrison]

wow really?I had no idea

[@milesdyson5912]

Might be a good video to do a few tips and tricks with what you carry and where etc

[@WadeHarrison]

Ok I will

[@311rooster]

I would watch

[@hollowbagoogiesboy8740]

So where do i clip my tether?

[@GarySlimson]

That's a very good question, which I am also interested in hearing about @Wade ;)

[@Xylometazol]

@@GarySlimson Greenjacket has this clipon thingy in the front (most people clip the skirt there for walking) I usually clip mine there, its safer and you can get to it faster.

[@GarySlimson]

@@Xylometazol it's river safety tip, not green jacket safety tip. Not every ww pfd has such thing.

[@WadeHarrison]

yes that's a really good feature of that kittle snap thing in the front

[@hollowbagoogiesboy8740]

@@WadeHarrison kittle snap the little one under the clam pouch? I use that for the tether line and clip the carabiner to my shoulder strap. I only wear it though when im working as a safety boater. If you have a better idea im all ears.

[@dirtbagoutside]

Love the info videos!!! Thanks!

[@WadeHarrison]

Thanks for watching I got few more coming on topics like these

[@DiscosVideos]

I used to clip my tow line biner there but stopped when someone pointed out the issue. That's why the started doing that quick release loop to hook them to so if it does snag, it will release and if it's hooked on your towline you can release that too.

[@WadeHarrison]

I hope your not still using one of those things

[@DiscosVideos]

@@WadeHarrison Nope... I don't even paddle with a tow line much anymore either. The creek I ran last down here only goes when there's a ton of rain so it goes through a fair amount of trees and I'm not trying to add any potential snags.

[@jonnynails]

I just had an argument with my buddy on this when he showed up to a river trip with it clipped to his vest and connected to a tow tether!!!!!! He also wears his knife on the outside of his vest. Pretty funny (not) since he has been boating longer than myself and he swims a good bit. Forwarding this to him now.........

[@WadeHarrison]

Lol oh great when they see it another pissed off boater at me 😂 I love it I’m standing firm on this one ☝🏻thanks for watching Jon

[@tmacoutdooring1837]

This made me wonder about the safety of my GoPro tether. I’ve been using some 50lb test line with a uni knot on the metal cross bar in the mounting case and a mini carabiner affixed to the back of my helmet….good, bad, stupid, dangerous?

[@WadeHarrison]

I would be totally fine with that I would think it would snap that when you think about breaking strength of that vest webbing and a carbineer oh boy maybe 1000s of lbs. of force

[@earthwisdom1016]

The Green Vest has hidden straps behind/beneath the pouch that is a good place to clip extra biners. I clip mine there. You have to dig for them but are still accessible with one hand.

[@WadeHarrison]

Yes and that’s perfect spot and takes secs to grab one I also use the green vest

[@briandavis7425]

This is the oldie but goodie video I like to use to drive home the point on using non lockers and connecting to hard points. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3PUh6Vobb-foLc

[@WadeHarrison]

Wow that could have been so bad if that would have fliped!

[@ryanosborne9357]

I always think about this when I clip in my rope bag in my kayak in between my legs. I always lock the gate to the carabiner so it won't catch me in the case of a swim. One I saw someone's shoe lace catch like this and he couldn't get his foot out of his kayak when swimming. Another person in the group had to cut his shoe laces. Luckily he was in a pool after the rapid.

[@WadeHarrison]

wow a shoe lace?thats crazy!

[@AC-oj6xr]

Once I wrecked my favorite truck cause I snagged my shoe lace on the break peddle. Literally the last thing I thought could happen. Thats a big reason I love the hiyaks. Cover them shoe laces up!

[@WadeHarrison]

@@AC-oj6xr wow that’s crazy and I totally agree with the strap on top of the hi yak

[@CraigCrouse]

One of my old river safety books also stated having a biner there is a great way to damage your shoulder when it gets hit between a rock and your collarbone/shoulder

[@WadeHarrison]

I spoke to a friend oh mine and he was say he personally witnessed people running one up there and when they would run a drop it would fly up and flap around and one day a guy got worked In a ledge and the carabiner flopping around and ended up busted his bottom lip and cracked a tooth from flopping around in a side surf yeah that guy took it off his pfd strap right After that lesson learned…

[@paxtonsnjones27]

That’s so funny you mention this Wade! I was just about to put a carabiner on my jacket so I could quickly clip my skirt onto something so it wouldn’t rub against my legs. I was thinking the risk would be worth it. I will take your video as a sign...no snag hazards no matter what!

[@hollowbagoogiesboy8740]

Most pfds have a lil button clip to put your grab loop trough when walking around.

[@WadeHarrison]

@@hollowbagoogiesboy8740 yes that’s true

[@WadeHarrison]

Oh just portages I clip my skirt up a lot not that concerned for that but I’m talking about paddlers that just leave the clip on the vest strap all the time. I keep a couple clips I glean get to fast in my front pocket just for things like that clipping to the skirt loops while doing a longer portages of hikes in or out. Just try to remember not to leave one up there..

[@paxtonsnjones27]

@@hollowbagoogiesboy8740 my pfd has little buckle that I think is for that purpose but half the time I can't get the webbing to feed through the buckle. Thanks though...I double checked...ya never know.

[@patrickh621]

I put a 40mm plastic D-ring on the daisy chain of my shoulder strap, where I cut through the flat side of the D-ring (and rounded the edges off a bit there). Good enough for up-skirting ;-) but does not withstand a serious pull.

[@BoundlessFPV]

Thanks, Wade! I just started this season and I learn so much from your videos. I recently retired one of my old screw-gate carabiners after it sliced my finger wide open. It was a very old design and the material at the gate was so worn down that it had become razor-sharp. This occurred at the take-out at Nantahala. I'm sure all the people hopping off the train thought I'd done something really cool but naw.. I wanted my dry-box out of my boat.

[@WadeHarrison]

dude thanks for watching and glad I could help you out I appreciate you taking the time to comment and watching!

[@jeremyboone1071]

Well, I’m the idiot. Man, I didn’t know. Only been paddling about a year and I appreciate any tips and suggestions. Thanks.

[@WadeHarrison]

Oh a lot of paddlers do this and I seen it more common and wanting to make a video on it glad I could help out and thanks for the feedback Jeremy

[@r.e.johnson801]

Wade is the ULTRA to Paddlesports...you listen....

[@WadeHarrison]

Hey thanks RE

[@scott4386]

Thanks for looking out Wade. I'm at the beginning of my kayak obsession which was sparked by my brother's recent passing. He introduced me to whitewater in the nineties ( had me running duckies down the Rogue in Oregon) and most recently ran his own float company in New Mexico. Anyway, I was wondering if you could recommend a good place for me to start, get the right equipment etc. My back is not what it used to be and my skills even less but I want to get back in the river and feel that flow of energy again snd want to get in the right boat but pickings are slim and am afraid of being sold whatever is available instead of what I need. I know I'm a medium but thats about it. I'm in the Atlana area and not afraid of a days drive for the right place. You seem like a straight shooter so any help would be appreciated. Great videos, thanks for what you do.

[@WadeHarrison]

What area are you in Scott and what type of boat you looking at and what style “flatware whitewater ect

[@scott4386]

@@WadeHarrison I'm just south of Atlanta, looking for a whitewater boat. I'm around 5'11, 165 to 175lbs depending on the year. Really appreciate the response.

[@scott4386]

@@WadeHarrison But like I said, a drive to the right place is not an issue.

[@WadeHarrison]

@@scott4386 a good all round kayak like the dagger katana or LL remix Xp are good choices for flat water up to class 4

[@WadeHarrison]

And if your wanting a full on whitewater boat hit up the NOC and make a trip up there they have a ton of options for you depending on what your wanting to paddle they are close for you and have a lot of really knowable paddlers there

[@dMaribo]

I am looking forward to seeing where you carry a tow line.

[@Ijohnson40]

I keep my tether wrapped around my left side and clipped on the QR belt with the gate facing inward so it can't snag other things - and if the tether gets snagged my QR will allow for it to fully detach. To clarify - it passes over the QR then snaps on kinda over my right rib so that it'll come free as fast as possible. I use an extra sport tether that has a bungee style setup so it stays snug; the astral ones sketch me out especially if someone clips into the O ring in a rescue scenario and the tether is zipped up in the pocket

[@WadeHarrison]

I have video on tow lines coming!

[@yakob.simpson]

Most higher end Level 3+ jackets will have a spot where it will connect to like with the Astral Green Jacket it has a pocket for storage while paddling at least that where I have put the tow line in the side pockets on the green jacket

[@dMaribo]

@@yakob.simpson yes, that is what I do. Just a couple inches of line exposed.

[@michaelmcclain6899]

I don't even have a tether on my pfd any more. No point having extra shit waiting to snag.

[@WadeHarrison]

Smart guy right here 👆🏻👆🏻

[@ericplloyd]

Dude, that Kokatat River Tow Tether that stows in the inside pocket of the Maximus Centurion Rescue Vest is bad news too. Ask me how I know. Lol.

[@WadeHarrison]

Really can you explain I’m curious???

[@ericplloyd]

​@@WadeHarrison I was on a line ferry crossing current. When I released in the middle of the current, the tether got snagged in the pocket and also trapped me on the line. I almost went for my knife as I was being pulled down a bit; however, I decided just to bounce myself around aggressively since it felt like I was caught on something. The pocket ripped, my belt released, and I went happily down the current to someone who kindly threw me a rope. It was in a SWR course and a somewhat controlled environment. I was "field testing" my setup, and it failed. I meant to tell Kokatat, but it slipped my mind. The other thing I discovered that was somewhat dangerous is the Astral Dyneema Throw Rope. By design, it has two loops tied into the rope to make its "stowaway" feature in the Astral Green Jacket work. However, both of these loops are definitely big enough for someone to get their entire hand in, which could end up in a situation where the rope gets caught around their wrist. I think Astral should rethink this design as well. Anyhow, I learned about both and have since swapped them out for other more reliable options.

[@WadeHarrison]

@@ericplloyd thanks for the feedback back eric all very excellent points I have video on tow tethers coming and trust me a lot of tow tether fan boy and girls are not going to like what I have to say about those things!!

[@ericplloyd]

@@WadeHarrison Definitely appreciate your knowledge sharing. I learn a lot from your videos. Thank you.

[@ericharvey2968]

I disagree with this. I specifically keep a locker on my shoulder strap for rescue situations. Getting into zipper section while on rocks or in the flow dealing with a pinned boat or person is more difficult and risks loosing the rest of your rescue kit. As for the risk of an additional non releasable closed loop on you, I personally think that it is a negligible overall risk. You have a shoulder strap right there that hangs as loose as a binner tucked down on the inside.

[@WadeHarrison]

You can definitely disagree I appreciate that and I see your point during a rescue out of your boat like I was saying in the middle of a rescue situation I throw my clips there I’m only talking about paddling around with them up there. I think it’s pointless to have a metal loop flapping around up there down river while paddling. Never have i met a rescue instructor that said you should keep carabiners on your shoulder straps as a storage option you might be the first but I’m still going to disagree and highly suggest no paddler ever paddling around with them there. Thank you for the feedback eric I appreciate a different point of view

[@alexedl7538]

Guilty! Thanks for the tip

[@WadeHarrison]

oh really?

[@Kayakerlife84]

Don't use non-locking carabiners!

[@WadeHarrison]

Don’t put any locking or non locking on shoulder straps just asking for trouble

[@paksaokayaking4234]

I see people with watches attached on the same spot… Whatcha think about that?

[@WadeHarrison]

Oh a watch band is what few lbs of force t snap that but a vest strap and a carabiner could be over 1000s of pounds of force to break so yeah you would be screwed..

[@paksaokayaking4234]

@@WadeHarrison awesome! Thanks for your insight :)

[@WadeHarrison]

@@paksaokayaking4234 you’re welcome Pak

[@canoedude]

Way back in the day when we clipped our biners to our shoulder straps, a friend who was wearing a watch managed to clip his wrist watch to his shoulder biner while trying to roll... I took my watch off and wrapped it around the thwart of my canoe. Wasn't smart enough to take off the damned carabiner until I got myself clipped to a raft. Rings on your fingers and another topic... I switched to a silicone wedding band after a couple of episodes - now I'm just ring-free - my wife understands :-)

[@canoedude]

@@WadeHarrison ahh, but some are much stronger - used to have a webbing and leather watch band that wrapped around my wrist. One of those cool ones they used to sell by the register at the NOC, coordinated with my Tevas. Stopped wearing that on the water long ago.

[@rullestaden]

I used to do this until i was savagely called out for it. Im happy for it, because it means that now i can savagely call people out for it

[@WadeHarrison]

I wouldn't savagley call someone out I would just say hey you Know???

[@jeffbrosi2538]

Great way to break a collar bone

[@WadeHarrison]

For sure I didn’t even think of that…