Not everything goes to plan and sometimes things go wrong in a race. Have a plan ready to deal with those days on the water. 

Race committees responsible for running an event need to assume that something may go wrong on the day, and because of that they need to have a plan for it. And it could be anything. Sometimes a front passes through much stronger than expected. Sometimes there is a spate of gear failure on competitors’ boats. Sometimes competitors simply have difficulty with the conditions. But allow for that possibility because one day it will happen. 

The things race committees can do start with their risk and incident management plans. Whatever is in those plans needs to be clearly understood by the people in charge on the day. They also need to ensure that the race management team’s emergency equipment is properly maintained, stowed and ready to use. Race management volunteers and staff all need to know what gear they have at their disposal, why they have it, and how to use it. This is not just on the water either. There will be shore facilities such as first aid kit, defibrillator, and radio communication equipment. Sign on/off systems will be critical in identifying which competitors are back on shore, and who is not. 

The competitors also need to know. A briefing for competitors should explain what to do in case of an emergency. This must explain what they should do, and what the race committee will do to help them. By having competitors understand the plan, things should be handled much better in worst case scenario. 

When running events, it’s on you. This is your club’s race committee running the day. This is your boat which is entered. Take care to play your role properly in response to an emergency by being prepared for the possibility. 

For more information about risk and incident management, click here. 

By Glen Stanaway.