BCOS Safety Boat Procedures

BCOS Safety Boat Procedures

BCOS members volunteer as safety boaters for Triathlons in our area.  Our responsibilities are to observe, direct and assist swimmers. 

All boaters shall wear a PFD and have a whistle or air horn for signaling.  Boaters shall know how to signal for help – waving a paddle vertically in the air and/or three whistle blasts.  Boaters shall carry a Type IV PFD (square float) or extra PFD in case a swimmer needs additional support in an emergency.  Boaters must be aware of their position on the course at all times.  It is easy for wakes or wind to drift a safety boat into the swim course and impede the swimmers. 

Boaters shall initially stage on the first 1/3 of the course.  Boaters shall be approximately ten yards inside and outside of the swim lane to help the swimmers stay on course and be available as a place to rest.  Swimmers will have the buoys on their right-hand side.  You may paddle to a swimmer who veers off course and verbally direct them. Often swimmers cannot hear so banging a paddle on a boat or a single whistle blast may be needed to get their attention.  Never impede a swimmer’s stroke by getting in their way or touch them. 

If a swimmer requests to hold onto your boat to rest, they may do so for however long they like as long as the boat remains in place.  Direct the swimmer to hold onto the bow or stern (front or rear), not the side.  Boaters shall not assist the swimmer by advancing them along the course.  If the swimmer is in distress or communicates that they do not want to continue, contact the safety motorboats (if present) by blowing your whistle three times and waving your paddle in the air.  If needed, boaters may tow a swimmer who wishes to discontinue to the shoreline, to a safety motorboat or the shore.  Notify the race director or other official if a swimmer is taken off the course.

As the swimmers advance around the course, half of the boaters should advance with the front two thirds of the swimmers.  The other half of the boaters should remain near the slowest third of the swimmers to observe and be prepared to provide a resting platform for the remaining swimmers - attempting to stay equidistant apart.  Boaters shall provide extra cover for the final swimmers and shall stay with the swimmers until all have exited the course.

Potential Emergencies Include:

Swimmer Exhaustion or Panic: Signs include weak strokes, irregular breathing, or frantic movement.  Respond by approaching them calmly and encouraging them to hold onto the boat.

Unresponsive or Drowning Athlete. Signs include swimmer floating face down, lack of movement.  Alert emergency personnel immediately, assist in turning the swimmer face up, and support the airway until rescue arrives.

Medical Emergencies (heart attack, cramps, asthma attack). Signs include complaints of chest pain, severe cramping, wheezing or distress.  Respond by ensuring they can breathe, signal for medical assistance, keep them stable until rescue arrives.

Wildlife (alligators, snakes). If you see an alligator, immediately direct the swimmers to the nearest exit.  Blow your whistle or air horn.  A snake may be re-directed with a few strokes of the paddle to move the water and create a current towards the snake.  If successful, allow the swimmers to continue and ensure swimmers remain away from the snake.  If the swimmers are safe, don’t alert them to the presence of the snake, it will just make them nervous and panic.

Severe Weather (sudden storms, lightning).  When directed by the race director or lead kayaker, instruct all swimmers to proceed directly to the nearest safe exit.  You may assist swimmers to the exit.