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Emergency Recovery and key safety advice

Reminder: You are responsible for your own safety, as the club does not provide safety cover. Here are some key tips for recovery from the water. The Club boat is to be used if a capable boat driver is available. Instructions are in the boat.

General key safety and water recovery points

Call 999 as soon as possible

  • Check the current safety information on the Web site, and abbreviated version on the Beach safety notice board.
  • Anyone in the water and not active is likely to get cold very quickly so it’s important to recover them from the water as quickly as possible.
  • Recovering someone from the water is going to be easier with more people helping, so it’s important to get the support of those around you. Consider asking for help from the Boat Yard, Pub, Sailing Club, others on the water.
  • Returning someone to the beach may not be the best option, it may be better to move directly to these location to reach warmth, or an ambulance quickly.
    • Pub Staithe – open every day and most hours.
    • Public Beach – posts can be lifter opposite pub for vehicle access.
    • Sailing club – if the club house is occupied.
    • Boat yard – barrier may be down out of hours.
  • If more help is required or for advice call

Whispering Reeds Boat Yard       01692 598314

Vice Chairman (Gareth Norman) 07886 088014

  • Members should to be aware of those around them on the water, they may be in difficulty, or even unconscious.
  • Be prepared to jettison the rig on the water and use the board for transport only.
  • Even though recovery to the beach directly may not be achievable, it may be possible to get the windsurfer to an interim safer location, perhaps to the shelter of reeds.
  • The emergency services may not be able to attend, so be prepared to take the windsurfer to hospital if necessary.

Emergency Recovery from the water – advice

Reminder: You are responsible for your own safety, as the club does not provide safety cover. Here are some key tips for recovery from the water. The Club boat is to be used if a capable boat driver is available. Instructions are in the boat.

A. The windsurfer is able to make their own way back to the beach.

Raise the alarm: If others are nearby then call or wave your arms to attract attention (international distress signal) to let other know you are in difficulty and ask they shadow you while you make your way back to the beach.

Recovery options:

  • Sail back
  • Swim/walk back
  • Ditch the rig, and paddle back on the board

Once at the beach proceed as per scenario D

If it’s not possible to make it all the way to the beach then follow B/C

B. The windsurfer can get back to the beach with assistance

Raise the alarm

Recovery optionsif assistance is available:

  • Flag down another vessel (boat, sailing safety boat, holiday cruiser etc) and get back to the beach.
  • Assistance to lay/sit on a board and get back to the beach.
  • Assistance to walk or swim back if it’s a reasonable distance.

C: The windsurfer is not able to get back to the beach, even with assistance.

Raise the alarm.

Recovery options.

  • The person assisting to go off to get help
  • The beach if others are on the beach and able to help
  • If not, consider the Sailing Club, Whispering Reeds, the pub, Staithe
  • Call 999
  • Recover the injured person by boat

D: The windsurfer is not conscious and/or not breathing.

  • Call for help
  • Attempt CPR/ first aid
  • Keep their head above water (how would that be done), get someone stay to keep their head above water
  • Return to base and call 999

E: The windsurfer is at the beach but not mobile.

  • Call 999 or call for help if required
  • Keep the patient warm – Move the windsurfer to the club house,Whispering Reeds boat yard, or Pub to keep warm