Persones, moving on foot, going by bicycle, by train, by car, by steamer or other type of  boat, have it apparently more difficult but they can reach the water, too, and take advantage of its cooling effects. The difference is in a fact where we wish to wet into this liquid.

Let´s imagine a situation: we are in mountains, climbed a top of mountain range, and have an intention to bath over an edge of 10 metres high waterfall, this could not finish in positive way. Similarly, we have to behave in a case, if we are on unknown (for us) sea shore, not knowing, when ebb and flow (the rise and fall of the sea) arrives, or some strong streams are not opearting here. The same situation is valid, not only within bath or during navigation along sea shore, across greater lake (where we cannot see the opposite bank) along river with steamer traffic or at violent mountain brook or under weir on Lužnice-river.

 And, it does not matter, if you drive sporting kayak, canoe or inflated relax rubber boat. The danger can appear everywhere. So, provided we know it, we are able to minimalise it. We avoid  known grandmothers´ instructions, such as: „Do not enter heated into a water!“, „Do not jump into a water after you have eaten!“ (it is true, of course, we do not reject these instructions at all !) - let´s concentarte to water and paddling.

If we navigate on a river, we know well,( or we went many times in past- but actual situation could change !) - you have to pay attention along known places (there are mostly weirs, sharp bendings throwing the boat to bank-overgrowns or fallen trees). It is a fact, that most of watermen do not use swim-waistcoat or helmet while driving on Czech rivers (with the exception of cases if it is absolutely necessary). Anyway,  the youth and children have to use the swim-waiscoat and helmet, for safety reasons. The same can be recommended to all sportsmen, especially to them, who are not good swimmers, or if they are not sure with their longer swimming in streaming water.

Swim-waistcoat helps you while swimming but also drowns your collisions with stones in case of  your upseting. Moreover, it warms at cool weather and protects against water-cooling. Helmet use is necessary for wild river navigation. (However, this kind of water could be found with difficulties on Czech rivers). On the other hand, the situation is quite different abroad. So, swim-watercoast as well as helmet could not miss at watermen equipment during their excursions there. Both means could be of need within weirs´ descending. They can protect you in front of  stones or against paddle-stroke of „back“ destined to „hooklet“ (he is responsible for every movement in boat, also for your upset in sluice). Swim-waistcoat as well as helmet could help you during navigation along overgrown flows, where we have to pay attention against shocks of boughs placed low above water-level.

Nevertheless, watermen know very well, what could help them in similar situations, however, no one wishes to be learned from. Anyway, how is the situation on great rivers, lakes, dams, ponds and on sea? It does not depend on which kind of vessel we move (steamers and  maritime ships are to be leaved out). During navigation on Vltava-river in Prague or on Elbe-river in Děčín, where the river is more than 100 m wide and deep, it is necessary ( provided the boat is not inflated, it swims of ones´own) that the boat could be equipped with something, preventing its submersion into depth. In that case, it is necessary diving technics for its finding only.

Some canoes and kayaks are equipped with waterproof air-rooms, some boats are to be equipped with inflated bags. These can be made of folio or sedimented textiles. They are manufactured in  tip-forms of kayaks and canoes, where can be fixed and inflated. Filled up with air, the boat will be kept reliably above water-level. Canoes, where covered tips are missing, the inflated bags in formation of long roller at diameter of 15 cm („earthworm“), fastening round canoe boards, keeping above water level  in case of upseting, can be used. We mentioned great rivers. Here, we meet ship traffic mostly. Steamers, pushing loading ships and other vessels make waves, and it is necessary to overcome it, even the water level is quite calm. One rule is valid: small boat has to be kept away from greater one. Provided it will not be managed so, such contact could not finish well for small vessel. You should know respective Navigation Rules (Rules of Safe Navigation and its Signs) and follow it.

If it does not turn out well, so: the vessel is upsetted, we are far from bank, the boat is equipped against diving. What follows? We can swim to bank or try to turn the boat and pour out on water. Both variants are possible. Anyway, it is always better if more than one crew of kayak or canoe are present on water. It is not easy to swim up to bank and  push or pull the vessel at the same time! Again, swim-waistcoat can help you, supporting you while swimming  an you get slower tired. Your exhaustion and possible water-cooling plays its role, too. The expression „water-cooling“ could be ridiculous for somebody (in village pond, where water temperature is 20 C degree, the danger is small) but when this disaster occurs on some of Swiss lakes, where water temperature is 10 C degrees only, it is quite different. After 30 minutes swimming, the cold water operates to skin quickly, and tendency to water-cooling is high.

So, the rule for taking of your swim-watercoat for navigation on greater water-surfaces and big rivers, is not useless. This supporting swimming device helps especially in cases, when we underestimate weather conditions and sudden storm and wind created big waves, the boat fights against  and suddenly capsizes. The rescue without swim-waiscoat is very problematic. It could be late, before you are able to start looking for the dived vessel. Moreobver, it is more dangerous as it happened on  tourist river. On great flows of Danube or Inn rivers, where a lot of water flow, despite the water level is nearly flat, dangerous whirls are created. At several obstacles, as at bridge-pillars are established the other sights, and less experienced waterman could have problems. Swimming in such cold water, which flows smoothly but quickly, the way to bank is lengthy, is not easy at all - again appears aan assistant - swim-watercoat. It is a device which can help you on any type of water for your own rescue or rescue of your friends.

The sea - it is a water without opposite bank. It is a little strange comparison, but sometimes I have similar feeling. In most cases, on sea we return to the same shore. The adventurers only can sail to the opposite bank which decide to cross Atlantic Ocean or other Ocean, I think, anyway, that crossing of Mediterranean is quite sufficient. As to equipment, the application of swim-waistcoat is twice so important. Driving kayak or canoe, we do not mention (the distance is difficult to be estimated in many cases) that we find  in a distance of more than 1 km from shore. Low tide has an influence on  a fact that the vessel is inconspiciously taken away from the shore, and, moreover, it is,to be effected very problematic landing, at wrong wind direction and low tide. It does not concern sporting vessels only. Even usual inflated boats, by means of these we went to take sunshine on sea-level, can cause this trouble described above. However, the same is valid for swimming. It is sufficient when the sea-level is calm, to drift 1km away away, this requires an experienced swimmer. You are influenced  by the same low tide, high tide, waves, sea-streams. So, the swim-waistcoast is absolutely necessary for everybody. We assume that the vessel is not so carried away the shore.

Provided  you decide for navigation among islands in Croatia or Greece, you would have an experience with sea-navigation and better equipment. Anyway, let´s return to the other possibility as swimming to the shore with upsetted boat. As to inflated boat: it is possible to climb also on bottom and try to paddle to the shore. So, this vessel could be possible to turn into right position and mount inside. However, it is not easy in bigger waves. As to hard vessel, it is more difficult, it does not depend on a fact if it is kayak or canoe. Watermen, carrying out to mount into upsetted kayak, covering the hole with blanket and getting the boat in a position with bottom upstairs by means of Eskimo turn, are really an exception. Moreover, most of them would be able to do Eskimo turn immediately after first overturning. Anyway, one condition has to be maintained: there have to be available on sea-level two vessels (boats) at least. You can do it, while the sea-level is calm, whereas at bigger (and small) waves it is more difficult. The driver sails to one end of a vessel, and second rescue vessel reaches  to the opposite end. This ship picks up on its board and helps to pour the water. Afterthat, it will be returned back to right position. Consequently, the waterman will be rescued and helped at his return to the vessel (canoe, kayak) by means of keeping (holding) fix side by side, so the stability of friend´s return to the boat is fixed and higher. The rest of water inside could be pumped by means of special pump or take away with sponge. Also in this case, the application of swim-waistcoat on  waterman´s body is very appreciated.

These notes - seem to be little things or useless remarks - but will be valued in a moment, you really need.

Text: Vojta jančar

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