Safety First

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DISCLAIMER: This page is meant as a guide. Please consult local rules and regulations before paddling. I grew up on the beach in Florida and have completed multiple water safety and water survival courses throughout my life and I still ALWAYS look up the local rules when I visit new paddling spots. 

It's fair to say that many human activities include some inherent dangers. Paddle boarding is no different. Litter picking is no different. Litter picking while paddle boarding is, you guessed it, no different. That doesn't mean that it is a dangerous activity, it just means that when taking on any activity it is important to consider what COULD go wrong and prepare for the unlikely event that it might. 

Additionally, due to my experience and training, I am very comfortable with water and am constantly aware of how it can be dangerous. And because of my training and experience, I don’t push the limits of what I’m comfortable with. 

Below are the precautions I take and why. These are in no particular order, however, it is important to note that maritime law considers a SUP as a vessel when outside of dedicated swimming areas or beaches. 

This is the first of the gear I'll cover because not only is it required by law, it is also just a good idea. By law, any vessel must have one PFD per occupant on board. Adults aren't required to wear them at all times but you need to have it with you. However, the belt pack inflatable PFDs are required to be on your person to be considered a PFD. Other life jackets just need to be on board. Personally, I bring two PFDs. I wear the belt pack PFD as well as have a standard orange life vest secured to the deck rigging on my board. I bring two because I prefer to be wearing a PFD in the event I fall and injure myself on my trash load. The belt pack PFD gives me the peace of mind that I have flotation readily accessible, if needed. The life vest on the nose ensures that I'm legal on the water in the event I forget my belt pack PFD. Also, it is a redundancy in the event the belt pack PFD fails. I leave the orange life vest on the board all the time since I hardly deflate my board and the deck rigging keeps it from flying off during transit. 

Disclaimer: This page is meant as a guide. Please consult local rules and regulations before paddling. I always look up the local rules when I visit new paddling spots. 

In the event you need to signal someone, it is smart to have a marine whistle with you. Oh, yeah, maritime law requires you to have some sort of audible signaling device. Sure, needing to use it is highly unlikely...but if you did need it you don't want to regret saving $3. You could also get a small air horn. I chose the whistle because it will last forever and has unlimited uses unless it is physically destroyed.

Disclaimer: This page is meant as a guide. Please consult local rules and regulations before paddling. I always look up the local rules when I visit new paddling spots. 

Always tell someone where you are going and when they should expect you back. This could be a friend, family member, or even your doorman. Just as long as someone knows. I always tell my wife where I will be and when I expect to return. I go so often she already knows my standard routine but I tell her anyway because sometimes I deviate from my routine. I'd hate to have her worried if I wasn't back at my usual time but had planned on spending more time on the water. She also frequently checks my position with the iPhone's "Find my Friends" app. 

Just wear it. I wear 50 SPF due to a family history of sun-caused skin cancer. Don't worry about your tan, even with 50 SPF I still have tan lines around my watch and sleeves. 

I don't carry a full fledged first aid kit with me, but I do have a small baggie with a few bandages and hand sanitizer in case I cut myself while collecting trash. I do have more first aid items in the truck to triage anything major. I don't bring much because I hardly use my hands to pick up trash. And when I do I use neoprene gloves for protection.