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SAFETY HANDBOOK / EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN

INCIDENT REPORTING FORM

Safety Highlights

High-Vis Requirements:

• Crew Boats (4x/4+, 8+): Bow and stern rowers must wear high-visibility clothing
• Small Boats (1x, 2x, 2-): All rowers in small boats must wear high-visibility clothing

Rowing in Low Visibility:

• Bow must have a red (port) and green (starboard) navigation light
• Stern must have a white 360° light
• Required high-visibility clothing is worn

Weather Conditions:

Emergency Response Procedures

When an incident occurs on the water, respond calmly and directly. The goal is to keep rowers safe, together, and stable while help arrives or conditions improve. Commands are given by the coach or coxswain, and repeated by the crew if needed.

1. Capsize or Swamped Shell (Any Boat)
   • Stay with the shell.
   • Count all rowers.
   • If capsized – Rowers attempt to get back into shell and follow coach instructions.
   • Coach brings launch to the shell.
   • Distribute PFDs as needed.
   • Load rowers one at a time, starting with the coldest or weakest.
   • Move to nearest Safe Haven for rewarming and assessment as needed.
   • Key Notes —
     • Do not try to swim to shore.
     • The boat is your flotation.
     • Hypothermia risk begins immediately in cold water.
2. Person in the Water (Unintentional Ejection)
   • Hold water.
   • Point at the person in the water (visual lock).
   • Coxswain keeps shell stable and still.
   • Coach brings launch directly to the person.
   • Assist person over the stern or low point of launch.
   • Return to boat or nearest Safe Haven for assessment as needed.
   • Key Notes —
     • Keep eyes on the swimmer at all times.
     • Do not power stroke back toward them — create no wake.
3. Shell Taking on Water / Near-Swamp
   • Hold water.
   • Stay calm and stay seated.
   • Coach approaches with launch.
   • Distribute PFDs as needed.
   • Distribute rowers across launch and shell to stabilize.
   • Move to nearest Safe Haven.
   • Key Notes —
     • Attempt to reduce motion, not bail water.
     • Avoid panic movements — they cause full swamp
4. Medical Emergency (Injury, Illness, Breathing Difficulty, Chest Pain, Seizure)
   • Hold water.
   • Call coach immediately.
   • Bring launch to the affected rower.
   • Load individual into launch.If condition is serious: Call 911.
   • Proceed to the nearest Safe Haven for EMS access.
   • Key Notes —
     • Do not return to the boathouse unless it is the closest landing point.
     • Time to care > dock convenience.
5. Suspected Hypothermia
   • Early Signs: Shivering, slurred speech, confusion, slow response.
   • Severe: Loss of coordination, inability to speak, blue lips, lethargy.
   • Hold water.
   • Load rower into launch.
   • Remove wet clothing once stable.
   • Wrap in Mylar blanket (torso first).
   • Move to nearest Safe Haven.
   • Call 911 if confusion, shivering stops, or they cannot stand.
   • Key Notes —
     • Do not rewarm extremities first — risk of shock.
     • Warm torso and airway.
6. Lightning or Thunder
   • Hold water.
   • Move immediately to nearest Safe Haven.
   • Do not wait to see “how bad it gets”.
   • Stay off water for 20 minutes after last lightning/thunder.
7. Coach / Launch Disabled
   • All shells hold water.
   • Closest stable shell stays nearby for visibility.
   • Other crews regroup and wait.
   • Follow pre-established towing plan or call for assistance.

Safe Havens – Emergency Landing Sites

Are You In Compliance?

Before participating in any on-water activity, rowers must:

• Be fully registered with KCRC
• Sign the annual USRowing waiver and membership agreement
• Complete a Float Test every five years
• Complete SafeSport Training (Learn to Row participants excluded)
• Completion of a Flip Test to row a 1x without a PFD — otherwise a PFD is required when rowing a 1x
• Submit emergency contact and medical information via iCrew or designated club system
• Sign KCRC Club Code of Conduct (Adult Membership Team)

No rower may launch without current documentation on file.

SafeSport

ALL members and employees of KCRC—excluding participants in the Learn To Row (LTR) program—are required to complete the training program administered by USRowing in partnership with the U.S. Center for SafeSport. This training is designed to educate participants about preventing, recognizing, and responding to misconduct including harassment, bullying, emotional or physical abuse, and sexual misconduct. 

Specifically:

• Relevant adults (coaches, staff, board members, volunteers who have “regular contact” with minors) must complete the 90-minute “SafeSport Trained” core course. 
• After the initial course, an annual 30-minute refresher course is required for those who remain subject to the training. 
• Registration and access details are managed through the USRowing member portal. 

Members and employees must maintain proof of completion of the training, and KCRC will track compliance as part of our overall safety and governance policy. For more information and to access the training, visit: USRowing SafeSport Resources