Safety Manual – Oyster Point Dragons

Oyster Point Dragons’
Safety Manual

Safety Guidelines

Practice Site Information
Parking Safety

Ample parking is available in the area. The area is generally very safe but please practice good car security precautions by keeping all valuables out of sight with windows closed and doors locked. Bicycles should also be locked at available racks near the ferry terminal. If you park on Harbor Master Road, please leave at least three parking spaces next to the Harbormaster office for other tenants or visitors. In addition, if possible, back into the parking stalls, which will increase your visibility of small children when leaving the practice site.
Weather and Air Quality
Over the years, we have been experiencing stronger winds and longer fire seasons with increased bad air quality.

Weather Check at Oyster Point Marina

Air Quality Check in So San Francisco
High Tide and King Tide
Over the years, we have also seen increased flooding at the Marina with the parking lot at Gate 7 completely submerged. During high tide, we strongly recommend that you park near Gate 5 or by the Ferry Terminal to avoid water damage to your vehicle. In the event of a King/high tide, all steers are instructed to drop paddlers off at Gate 5. As a safety precaution, stay away from the flooded areas; you may step onto broken glass and/or tiny pieces of sharp shells, and may slip and fall.

Tide Check at Oyster Point Marina
Waiver Requirements for All Paddlers

Every paddler is required to complete and sign an annual waiver, electronically, before boarding a dragon boat; no exception. Paper waivers, if used, are scanned for electronic storage and for reference in case of emergency. Electronic waivers will require your consent to conduct business electronically with OPD concurrently with your electronic signature for the waiver.
Personal Flotation Device (PFD) / Life Jacket
Bow and Stern
Port and Starboard

Nautical terms for left and right, respectively. Port is the left-hand side of a vessel (red), facing forward – the bow. Starboard is the right-hand side (green), facing forward – the bow. Since port and starboard never change, they are unambiguous references that are not relative to the observer.
Standard Dragon Boat and Safety Commands
General Rules
Weather permitting, a minimum of eight (8) paddlers, not counting the steersperson, must be on board for off-the-dock practices to be held.

Our minimum age requirement is 10 years old.

Young paddlers 10 and 11 years old must be accompanied by a respective parent or guardian on the boat.

Paddlers must be fit enough to paddle.

OPD’s current BuK boats have a manufacturer’s weight limit of 250 kg or approximately 550 lbs per bench; 125 kg or 275 lbs on each side. We will accommodate paddlers who need to sit without a bench partner in order to be comfortable. Our coach and/or steer will ensure that the boats are balanced for everyone’s safety.

Alcohol is not permitted on the boat.

Paddlers are not allowed to paddle if they are under the influence of any drugs or alcohol.

Stay hydrated.

Take water breaks during practice sessions.

Wear weather appropriate clothing: quick-dry, wicking, water shoes or sandals; avoid cotton.

Apply sunscreen, even on overcast days.

Wear sunglasses to protect eyes from harmful UV rays.
Paddlers' Safety Responsibilities
Abide by OPD’s Code of Conduct.

Sign in prior to boarding; this is the Rescuers’ Manifest for emergencies. Alternatively, the Manifest Recorder may record all names on a white board.

Fasten the PFD and adjust for a snug fit prior to boarding the boat.

Ensure your benchmate’s PFD is properly secured.

Follow the coach/steersperson’s instructions.

Remain seated at all times unless directed otherwise or during “side switching.”

Pay attention to the commands at all times keeping all other conversations to a minimum.

To report a medical or other emergency while in intense paddling, raise your paddle blade up.

In case of emergency, do not panic and remain calm. See the “Emergency Situations” section on the right.
Coach's Safety Responsibilities
Abide by OPD’s Code of Conduct.

Conduct a safety briefing with all new paddlers, ensuring that practice sessions are conducted in a safe manner. See the Internal OPD document “New Paddler Orientation Checklist.”

Confirm with the new paddlers that they have submitted a waiver.

Take charge of all paddlers and steersperson, and ensure all rules are complied with at all times.

Keep the boat in calm water to ensure safety of the crew.

File and report any damage, loss, or theft of equipment to the Harbor Master and to OPD Board.

File and report any incidents to the Harbor Master and to OPD Board.

Carry a cell phone on board for emergency situations.

Before venturing out on long-distance paddling to the airport or Candlestick Point areas, both the Coach and Steersperson must independently confirm the weather conditions and forecast, including wind direction and speed.
Steersperson's Safety Responsibilities
Abide by OPD’s Code of Conduct.

Abide by OPD’s comprehensive Steers Manual, including an acknowledgement, agreement, and attestation of compliance therewith.

Highly recommended to wear anti-slip closed-toes shoes or sandals.

Ensure the boat has at least two bumpers; and two regular (½ gallon) and two emergency (2+ gallon) bailers.

Ensure the oar is installed correctly in the oar ring / oar lock, with the blade out of the water and resting on the ring prior to the crew boarding.

Ensure the safety box is on board. The safety box must contain a throw bag; an emergency kit; a radio; a whistle; a flare or strobe light; and emergency Mylar thermal blankets.

Check/maintain the safety box supplies once a month and charge the radios on a regular basis, unless the radio-charging task is assigned to another person. Inquire to make sure.

Attach the radio near the steersperson’s shoulder or carry a cell phone in a waterproof bag.

Secure the safety box using the provided leash.

Ensure the steering area is clear of obstacles like paddles, PFDs, etc.

Ensure the boat is balanced and give commands for loading and unloading the boat.

Perform a crew count-off prior to departing.

A few days before practice or event, and on the day of, review the water and weather conditions (tide, wind, rain, temperature, air quality during fire season) to assess that a safe practice session can occur without cancellation. Perform the same assessment prior to exiting the sea wall to ensure the conditions outside of the wall are safe during the practice session.

Before venturing out on long-distance paddling to the airport or Candlestick Point areas, both the Coach and Steersperson must independently confirm the weather conditions and forecast, including wind direction and speed.

In any emergency situation, the steersperson’s commands override the coach’s and drummer’s.

Stop or hold the boat whenever there is boat traffic coming in or out of the channel.

Stay 20 feet away from the sea wall, structures, or other boats, to avoid sudden or unforeseen waves.

Stay clear and away from fishing areas and fishing lines.

Do not insist on having right-of-way even if the human-powered vessel has the right-of-way.

Pass oncoming vessels on the steersperson’s left-hand-side, Port.

At a crossing situation, give right-of-way to the vessel on the steersperson’s right, Starboard.

Remember that ferries are big and heavy; thus, hard to stop or turn.

Give appropriate commands for a paddler to retrieve objects from the water. OPD is committed to picking up any floating foreign objects that are considered harmful to the environment, e.g., plastic bags, plastic bottles, cans, etc.

Practice common sense at all times.
Small Dogs on Board
We do allow small dogs on board during practices – the only pet request so far.

Your dog must be friendly and well-behaved – including bio needs, and must not scare anyone of the paddlers.

Any cynophobia (fear of dogs) from anyone of the paddlers would preclude having the dog on board.

The dog must not suffer from motion sickness.

The small dog must fit between the owner’s legs.

If the dog is placed under the owner’s bench or under the bench in the front, it must not interfere with the paddling at the back or in the front.

All dogs must wear an appropriate life jacket.

In cases of bio mess, the owner must be responsible for the clean-up.

OPD is not liable for anything that may happen to the pet.

The provisions on the owner’s waiver extend to the pet.
Outrigger-Canoe (OC) and Kayak - General Safety Guidelines
The same annual liability waiver requirement applies to OC and kayak users.

These safety guidelines apply to both OC and kayak users; however, kayak users are not required to use a leash or undergo a huli test.

All new OC and kayak users must review these safety guidelines prior to using the OC or kayak.

All paddlers must abide by OPD’s Code of Conduct.

A PFD and a whistle must be worn by all OC and kayak paddlers. All OPD kayaks already have whistles attached to each one of them.

The leash must be attached to the OC paddler’s calf or ankle while on the OC.

All OC sessions require adult supervision at all times along with an experienced OC paddler. An experienced OC paddler is defined as a person who has completed at least 5 OC sessions of 30 minutes or longer. The adult can be the same as the experienced OC paddler.

The water and weather conditions should be reviewed prior to the OC being set up.

The responsible adult/experienced OC paddler must communicate to the paddlers the boundaries that are safe to paddle; e.g., guest dock area or beach area only.

Inexperienced OC paddlers are only allowed to go outside the seawall if accompanied by another watercraft or another experienced OC paddler.

Even experienced OC paddlers must never go out alone and must be accompanied by another OC paddler or by a dragon boat. Without an accompanying dragon boat, one of the OC paddlers must carry a marine radio (taken from one of the dragon boat safety boxes), and know how to call for emergency help on Channel 16. See our Emergency Situations section in this manual.

All paddlers who want to use the OC1 must have proven they can successfully recover without assistance – within two minutes, in case of a capsize (huli test). Each OC paddler should undergo a huli test at least every two years.

For the OC2, at least one paddler on the OC2 must have taken and passed the huli test.

An instructional video will be provided as a test prerequisite.

At least one member of the coaching staff must administer and monitor the test.

For tests conducted at a site other than Oyster Point Marina, a video submission of the huli test is acceptable.

Huli tests or basic OC training must be conducted in an open area with little boat traffic; e.g., by the guest dock area.

Huli tests are conducted upon requests.

We want to avoid an emergency call for misunderstanding a capsize test as a real emergency situation; therefore, OC leaders must make their presence known on land during the huli test. Another watercraft on water must also be on standby.

Emergency Situations

Radio Channel and How to Call for Help
The radio set to VHF-FM Channel 16 (156.8 MHz) connects to the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Command Center. You will also receive Harbor support by calling 650-642-0694. Additionally, you can reach the Pacific Southwest District Command Center’s maritime emergency number at 510-437-3701. OPD’s radios are floatable.

Ensure you are on Channel 16.

Adjust the ‘squelch” control to low to minimize static noise.

Push and hold the button to speak (transmit).

Speak in a normal voice.

Release the button to hear the other person (receive).

Information to be provided to an emergency responder:

State that you need help. Try not to use “Mayday” unless in dire emergency.

This is “Your first name.”

Vessel type: “Dragon boat” or “Kayak” or “Outrigger-canoe.”

Location: Quickly look around you and describe where you are; e.g., “Oyster Point Marina inside the seawall,” “Oyster Point Marina, outside the seawall,” “Oyster Point Cove,” “Outside Brisbane Marina, “Alongside Highway 101 off Sierra Point, Brisbane,” “Near Candlestick Park,” “Near SFO Airport,” “Approaching San Mateo Bridge.” If you see the name of a boat nearby, provide the name of the boat; the USCG can track its location.

Nature of distress; e.g., “Man overboard,” Boat capsize,” “Unconscious paddler,” “Paddler having emergency health issues; e,g., heart attack, stroke.”

Number of people involved.

Whether everyone is wearing a life jacket.

Provide the kind of assistance needed.

Finish with “Over” before releasing the button.

Listen to the response.

Keep the radio on; the USCG can find you quicker if you can transmit a signal.

Example of a distress call:

We need help, we need help;

This is Suzie;

We are on a Dragon boat;

We are inside the cove at Oyster Point Cove across from AC Hotel;

Our boat has capsized;

We have a total of 21 people; one is injured on the head and is bleeding;

We are all wearing life jackets;

We need medical assistance for the injured paddler;

Over.
Contents of OPD’s Safety Boxes
Each boat has a dedicated water-tight safety box. Each safety box has a dedicated ankle leash attached to the box, which must be used to fasten the safety box to the steering bar. The safety boxes are stored on the right side of the shed under the life jackets by the side door. Each safety box contains the following:

Radio (floating)

Throw bag

Emergency kit

Whistle (replacing the air horn)

Emergency strobe e-Flare

Emergency Mylar thermal blankets
How to Use the Throw Bag
A throw bag is a bag filled with rope used as a common water rescue tool. The OPD throw bags are yellow in color and each bag contains a 70-foot long rope.

After the “Brace” command is called, ensure you have a safe and secure footing in the boat.

Grab the loose end of the rope firmly with your non-throwing hand and grasp the bag firmly with your throwing hand.

Make sure to leave about ten feet of “tail” on the loose end so you can let out some rope if needed.

Yell “ROPE” to attract the person in the water.

Try to make eye contact and aim straight at the person’s head.

As you throw the bag, the rope will unravel from the bag.

Depending on your ability and training, use an underhand or an overhand grip to throw the bag.

As you throw and release the bag, it is VERY IMPORTANT that you don’t let go of the loose end in your non-throwing hand. That loose end is what you must use to pull the person in.

If your throw is short, ask the person to swim to the bag, if possible; it’s unlikely that you’ll have time to coil the rope for a second throw. The rescue has to be quick to prevent hypothermia.

Ask the person in the water to hold the rope – not the bag, over the shoulder while floating on the back with the feet pointed away.

If needed, have another crew member help you pull on the rope to pull in the person.

See the “Man-overboard” section below on how to pull the person into the boat.

After use and after dry-out, make sure you repack the throw bag properly to prevent a knotted mess and ensure future easy unraveling.
How to Use the Emergency Strobe SOS e-Flare
Effective February 2025, the regular flare has been replaced by an electronic strobe SOS e-Flare. The SOS e-Flare should only be used in dire emergency situations where the USCG cannot locate us or in dense misty or foggy conditions during sunrise or sunset paddling.

Batteries are pre-installed.

To turn on, hold the strobe body in one hand and turn the lens CLOCKWISE with the other hand until the light turns on.

Observe the On/Off marks and arrows on the rim under the clear lens.

To turn off, turn the lens COUNTERCLOCKWISE and continue to turn it one full turn AFTER the light is turned off; this prevents the light from coming on accidentally.
Always Listen and Stay Calm
Always listen to the drummer or steersperson.

If you hear ‘HOLD THE BOAT OR STOP THE BOAT’ at any time, follow their directions immediately.

Limit chatting.

Do not scream or panic in cases of emergency. YOU MUST REMAIN CALM.

Use common sense at all times.
Buddy System
Know your seat count and your seatmate. If the boat goes over, the steersperson can account for everyone by having everyone call out his/her/their number, and/or determine who is missing. See the “Boat Capsize” sections below.

Call out and look for your buddy in the event of a capsize; however, bear in mind that when a boat rolls, your buddy may end up on the other side.

Ask for his/her/their status and condition.

Do not hold on to your buddy. If still available, use your paddle as your connection; otherwise, reach out by extending your arm.

The first and last seats on the boat must also check for the drummer/coach and steersperson.

In a case of “Man-overboard,” wait for the steersperson to maneuver to an optimal boat position and listen to all commands before extending out your paddle handle (the T). See the “Man-overboard” section below and the “How to Use the Throw Bag” section above.
Boat Capsize – Boat is Rolling Over
A roll-over may not be stopped once it starts to turn.

Remain calm.

If you are on the higher side of the boat when it begins to go over, try to jump clear of your seat partner to avoid injury.

If you come up under the boat, there will be an air pocket available for you to catch your breath and get your bearings.

If you are at the back, watch for the oar.

Always watch your head to prevent a head injury against the benches or inside of the boat; place your hands over your head.

Feel your way to the side of the boat and then surface on the outside.

Hold on to the gunnel / gunwale.

Conduct a head count and ensure everyone resurfaced from under the boat.

Call out to your buddy to let him/her/them know where you are.

Identify any missing or injured paddler.

If you are separated from the boat, first hold on to your PFD, tucking in your arms to protect your elbows to get your bearings; then, swim back to the boat.

If paddlers are injured or having difficulty swimming back to the boat, provide them with assistance as needed.

See the next section on calling for help.
Boat Capsize – Stay With the Boat and Call for Help
Call for help. See the “Radio Channel and How to Call for Help” section above.

Stay with the boat until the rescue craft arrives.

Under no circumstances should you attempt to swim to shore.

Spread evenly around both sides of the capsized boat, holding onto the gunnel or to your paddle if you still have it.

The bottom side of the boat will have barnacle encrustations covered with algae; so, be careful of potential cuts.

Spread evenly around the outside and have one of the crew remove the oar from the oar lock and hold on to it.

If possible, gently roll the boat over:

Have most of the stronger paddlers move to the narrower bow and stern areas with both hands over the bottom of the boat and reaching as far out to the other side of the gunnel.

The other paddlers will all be evenly spaced out on the other side of the boat.

At the count of “three,” the paddlers at the bow and stern will pull and roll while the paddlers across will push and roll the boat over.

As the boat flips over, all paddlers must quickly step back to avoid injury.

Bear in mind that the boat weighs about 600 lbs; therefore, only attempt rolling the boat if you have strong paddlers.

Locate the bailers; if none, have a few paddlers bail the water using cupped hands.

Load the rest of the paddlers as soon as possible to prevent hypothermia from setting in.

Make sure the oar is recovered.

Recover as many paddles as possible but only if it is safe to do so; if there are strong water currents, stay with the boat and attempt to recover the paddles when everyone is back on the boat.

Once the Rescue Boat arrives, they are in charge; obey the instructions from the rescue boat.

If there are injured paddlers, make the rescue boat aware of the situation.
Boat Capsize – Boat is Sinking During a Race
During an intense race under highly choppy water conditions, designated paddlers must bail the boat as needed; failure to do so will result in the boat slowly but surely sinking.

The boat has the capacity to support a full crew even when fully submerged due to its lightweight construction and its bulkheads filled with air.

Stop paddling and remain calm. Surprisingly enough, we have witnessed racers continuing to race even while the boat was sinking!

Locate the bailers; if none, have all the paddlers bail the water using cupped hands.

If the boat continues to sink, designate a few paddlers to remain on the boat and continue bailing.

The rest of the crew needs to unload and spread evenly around both sides of the capsized boat, holding onto the gunnel / gunwale or to the paddle if still there.

Wait for the race rescue team, which will arrive within seconds of sinking.
Boat Capsize – Boat is Sinking During Practice
Boat sinking during practice is very rare unless caused by a collision or unusually high waves.

The boat has the capacity to support a full crew even when fully submerged due to its lightweight construction and its bulkheads filled with air.

Stop paddling and remain calm.

Assess the situation for paddler injuries or collision damage to the hull or other parts of the boat.

Locate the bailers; if none, have all the paddlers bail the water using cupped hands.

If the boat continues to sink, designate a few paddlers to remain on the boat and continue bailing.

The rest of the crew needs to unload and spread evenly around both sides of the capsized boat, holding onto the gunnel / gunwale or to the paddle if still there.

If there is no injury or damage, and bailing is successful, the crew can head back.

If there are injuries and/or damage to the boat preventing the crew from heading back, call for help. See the “Radio Channel and How to Call for Help” section above.

Stay inside the boat until the rescue craft arrives but continue bailing.

Under no circumstances should you attempt to swim to shore.

If the boat continues to sink due to damaged hull, offload and spread evenly around both sides of the boat, holding onto the gunnel or to your paddle.

Once the Rescue Boat arrives, they are in charge; obey the instructions from the rescue boat.

If there are injured paddlers, make the rescue boat aware of the situation.
Man-Overboard (Term 'man' here refers to anyone on board)
If the steersperson or anyone falls into the water, someone must immediately call out: “Man Overboard.” This call communicates the situation to the entire boat.

The coach takes over the command and keeps everyone calm.

Call for, and maintain, a “Brace” until a new command is called.

Identify a timekeeper to track how long the person has been in the water.

Call out to the person to check for alertness and responsiveness.

If there is no current and the person is close to the boat, have the closest paddler on the boat reach out by extending out a paddle with the ‘T’ towards the person in the water.

If the person is drifting away, quickly toss the throw rope at the person; this connects the boat with the person to prevent further drifting, especially if there is a strong current. See “How to Use the Throw Bag” section above for instructions.

Once the person has a good rope-grip, the crew pulls the person towards the boat to minimize the distance and to conserve the person’s energy.

If possible, try to pull the person back onto the boat at the front or at the back of the boat without leaning outwards.

Hold on to the life jacket’s shoulder straps but first ensure the life jacket is snug. If needed, ask other paddlers to hold on to the puller’s waist or legs for extra leverage and stability.

Make use of buoyancy by bouncing the person up and down a few times before pulling up.

Either a back or a front pull can be executed.

A front pull will allow the person to grab onto the gunnel while being pulled.

A back pull may be preferable if the person has no energy left.

Paddlers on the other side of the boat must maintain the “Brace” and lean slightly outwards to compensate and stabilize the boat.

Wrap the person in one of the thermal blankets located in the safety box.

If it is difficult to pull the person back onto the boat, quickly wrap the rope around his/her/their waist and paddle back to the closest safe and unobstructed shoreline with ample clearance around the person.

This entire rescue mission must be completed within 10 minutes or less to reduce the risk of hypothermia. The time keeper needs to remind the coach every 3 minutes on how much time has elapsed.

Once on shore, keep the person wrapped in the thermal blanket, have someone stay with the person, and drive the person immediately to one of the bathrooms for a hot shower.

All paddlers should keep a set of dry clothes in their car or inside the shed; at a minimum, two towels and an extra jacket.
Acknowledgement
OPD Safety Committee.

Certain sections were incorporated under consent from the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF).