The safety committee of the United States Rowing Association was formed in 1987 to serve as an advisory group to the organization in the area of safety. This document is not meant as an all-inclusive treatment of rowing safety, as all possible situations and types of rowing could not be covered in such a brief forum.  These guidelines are meant to serve as an outline for your own safety program. The safety committee welcomes your questions and comments.

Before the row-

1. Each club should have a safety committee that will develop and annually review all the safety rules, protocols and procedures.
2. All rowers must be able to pass a swim test, preferably including putting on a life jacket while in the water.  
3. Know that your shell has been designed for floatation. Your boat is not a Personal Floatation Device (PFD); it is an emergency floatation device. The safety committee recommends that all unaccompanied boats carry Coast Guard approved PFDs. A copy of the Coast Guard Regulations concerning PFDs is available upon request from USRowing.
4. Before ever getting into a shell on the water, a rower must understand the following terminology: bow, stern, port, starboard, weigh enough, ready to row?, back, tie-in, untie, stop, the stroke, bow person, seat numbers in between and what number/seat s/he is that day. The term “stop” should be used only when talking to a specific crew in a race. When a coxswain or coach wants a crew to stop immediately, the proper tem is “Weigh enough! Hold water!”  
5. Each club should post a map of local waterways that includes traffic patterns and any known hazards.
6. Every club should use a logbook.  Everyone on the water should sign in and out. A sample logbook is available from USRowing. If you are rowing without the benefit of a monitored logbook let someone know where you are rowing and what time you should be expected in.  
7. Each person 100% responsible for the whole boat and 100% accountable for how their own oar, rigging, foot stretchers, seat and slide. Check to make sure that all equipment is functioning properly before leaving the dock. If you aren’t sure, ASK! Check the following:

a.       That nuts on the rigging are tight, position of your foot stretchers and the smoothness of your slide are acceptable.

b.       That the forward end of the slide is blunt and will not gouge your claves.

c.       That the persons in front and behind you have sufficient room for their complete stroke.

d.       That the heel ties on your shoes are tied and in good condition.

e.       That your seat fits your body.  Adjust with seat pads or a different seat.

f.         That your oar handle is properly sized.

g.       That your oarlock height is proper.

h.       That your clothing cannot become tangled in your seat or oar handle.

i.         That you have proper safety devices on board, if warranted in your rowing shell.

7. Make sure that you are aware of the local traffic patterns and rules on the water.

a.       Right-of way rules have been developed by the USCG. Vessels with the least maneuverability have the right-of way, but always play it safe and take action to avoid all other types of boats. The maneuverability rule can be confusing. For example, a sailboat without wind has the right-of way, but a sailboat with wind much give right-of way to the shell.

b.       Boats shove off and approach the dock for landing while moving upstream.  Familiarize yourself with the local traffic patterns.

c.       Familiarize yourself with shallow water, stumps, rocks, seasonal problems and landmarks. 

d.       Stay clear of bridge abutments and other man-made or natural obstacles. Do not negotiate a turn near such an obstacle.

e.       The coxswain or single sculler should make frequent checks on both sides.  Listen for oncoming traffic.

f.         Be courteous to others on that water. Be aware of powerboats and treat them with respect.

8. The safety or coaching launch provides safety supervision when rowing and support assistance in and emergency. A launch may prove useless unless the following precautions have been taken:

a.       The driver must be trained in the proper use and operation of the powerboat. Classes are offered through local chapters of the Red Cross, U.S. Power Squadron, and state boating safety departments. 

b.       A radio or cell phone is recommended to allow a quick direct link with rescue services in the event of an emergency.

c.       Emergency supplies in the launch should include a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, night lights and tool kit. The tool kit should contain wrenches, appropriate nuts, tape, washers, and other materials needed to make small repairs. Only minor repairs should be done on the water.

d.       Ensure that everyone in the launch is wearing a PFD and that there is one for each person rowing under the coach's care.

e.       Practice man overboard safety drills. Know how to have rowers enter the coaching launch form the water. Approach from the leeward side, keeping the outboard propeller away from any victims. Turn off the engine as soon as contact is made. Avoid overloading.

f.        The launch driver must wear the cord that activates the safety/kill switch in accordance with the motor manufactures literature.

9. Consult a physician before starting any form of exercise program.
10. Conditioning should be part of any rowing program. Most people do not have perfectly balanced bodies or sufficient stamina when they begin to row. Take it upon yourself to seek professional training advice.
11. Land warm-up should become part of your training ritual. Before rowing, get your body up to the proper intensity by taking three minutes before you touch the boat to get your body warmed up by jogging, jumping rope, or running in place. Follow that with basic stretching.
12. Water warm-up should be used to gradually build from no pressure up to full intensity.  An example would be building from no pressure “hands only, bodies over, ¼ slide, ½ slide, ¾ slide, full slide”, and then adding pressure until proper workout intensity is reached.

On the water-

1. Rowers in multi-person shells should always be quiet and attentive to the coxswain or coach.  
2. Be aware of weather conditions. There are several inexpensive models of weather radios on the market. Use a weather radio or listen to local radio weather reports before going out on the water. Watch for gathering clouds, changes in wind speed and direction, temperature changes and other boats returning home. If on a river or tidal body of water, check the current direction and look for floating objects or kelp.

a.       Do not row in he wind, whitecaps, or winds of 12 knots under any circumstances.

b.       If sudden winds come up, return to the boathouse if the trip is safe, or take the boat to the nearest shore and wait for the winds to calm.

c.       Try to minimize equipment damage, but remember that you are more valuable than the boat.

d.       Do not row in fog unless your visibility to shore is as least 100 yards. Be sure to have land reference points. If fog sets in while you are on the water, move slowly, and be prepared to stop quickly. Use a sound making device (coxbox, horn, or whistle) to advise other boats of your location as you talk your boat to shore, following the shore back to the boathouse.

e.       Do not row in an electrical storm. Lightning detectors are inexpensive and can clip on your belt. If you are on the water and see lightning, hear thunder, or notice your hair standing on end with static electricity, head for the nearest shore. If the storm is upon you, take your boat ashore and wait for the storm to pass.

3. Waves are generated by winds, tides, currents, or wakes from passing boats. Because shells are vulnerable to high waves, specific care is needed with approaching wakes. 

a.       If approaching wake is higher than the gunwale, the shell should be turned parallel to the wake to avoid having parts of the shell unsupported by the water. It is possible to split a shell under these conditions. Rowers should stop rowing and leans away from the approaching wake, with oars on the wake side lifted slightly.

b.       If the wakes are lower than the gunwale and widely spaced, continue to row without a course adjustment. Deep and closely spaced wakes that are lower than the gunwale may be taken at a 90 degree angle with the bow directly toward them.

c.       Turning in waves is tricky; allow plenty of room, energy and time.

4. Light conditions -- The greatest danger while rowing is a collision caused by limited vision or carelessness. Great care should be taken when rowing in darkness or near-darkness. Take extra care to look and listen. Minimize conversation. Be careful not to get too close to shore or known hazards. Only row in familiar waters while rowing at dusk, dawn, or in the dark.

a.       There should be an all round white light available for each rowing shell when rowing between sundown and sunup. It should be sufficient to warn approaching vessels. It is recommended that reflective tape be placed on top of the gunwales and splashboards. Refer to local laws for lighting. 

b.       Carry a sound making device.

5. Water temperature should always be monitored.

Hyperthermia occurs when there is an increase in body temperature, usually when the air temperature is above 76 degrees, and the victim is exposed to sun and heat in combintation with a decrease in fluids. It may occur when a) sweat cannot easily evaporate; b) the body is being heated by the environment; c) water loss from sweat and respiration is not replaced and dehydration occurs. Two serious conditions may result:

Heat exhaustion - Signs are throbbing headache, nausea, cool skin, chills, sweaty, and pale pulse. Action - drink water, shade from sun, and treat for shock.

Heat Stroke is life threatening- behavior changes, unconsciousness, hot but not sweaty, flushed warm skin and rapid pulse. Action- douse with cool water, shade from sun, fan, ensure the airway is open, always get medical assistance as soon as possible.

To avoid these problems in hot and humid weather:

a.       Maintain a high fluid level. Drink water before leaving the dock and frequently while on the water. Take and individual plastic water bottle for easy access.

b.       Avoid sunburn by using sunscreen, with a sweatband or hat to keep lotion out of eyes.