As a rescuer I would like to share my knowledge with readers who like to endeavour to try drgaon boat as a favourites water sports .so as a paddler If you know basic tips of dragon boat safety those knowledge will lead aid you for having the real thrill and fun of paddling also you will know how to coat up with the emergency situation (with you buddy and team). Remember these tips are helping you to stay in safe and to have a fun ride.

Safety tips for you to remember

· Dress appropriately, Apply proper sun protection, Take a bottle of water

· If in doubt don’t go out! If the situation gets worse stop the course.

· Always follow proper Loading and unloading  procedure drummer will be decide

· In rough conditions shift the weight in the boat (drummer) go back also in the beginning of the course take out for paddlers out. Most foul weather capsizes occur when water taken over the bow don’t give front of the boat go in to the water

· The boat is made by fibreglass so its wont sinks. Boat will be floated below the surface in some emergencies the boat can be used as a life preserve  to support injured or panicking paddler

· If boat going to be roll don’t panic who ever in a high side of boat try to throw out yourself by clear of your partner and let you paddle go don’t hold it tight you may hit another paddler. In additional try to let you go with boat roll.

· If you are trap under the boat may there is air pocket you to catch breath if possible catch a breath in the air pocket and feel your way to the side of the boat

· Always check your buddies for present if not informed to the crew if someone injured give him a assistance

· If boat is capsizes if any paddler is missing steersperson will ask any strong swimmer to check under the boat from one end to other end swimmer can looking for a missing paddler. Before roll the boat to its upright position should be all the crew member are present

· Always try to stay with boat until rescue crew arrives don’t swim to shore line unless otherwise instructed

· Always you must follow direction and  instruction of steersperson and rescue personnel

· Shouting making noise will be make all of paddlers confusion in the event of emergency paddlers have to ready to follow instruction

· If any paddler got heart stork, heart attack,distressed buddy can raising the hand and inform place the any distressed paddler in the middle of boat

· Try to contact land and water safety crew by marine radio or by signal or by distress signal like three long whistle blasts repeat if necessary

· When Rescue Crew arrive they will be ask some status report: number in the boat, any missing, distressed, injured paddler in your boat. Paddlers in distress and who need to taken out first

· If  Missing paddler – the Rescue Crew will take over the search and the second  rescue craft will start ferrying the rest of the Crew to shore

· If traps with extreme conditions  rescue Crews will be taken all the paddlers to the nearest sheltered land

· After the crew is on land the team of dragon boat responsible to bail out the water from their dragon boat

‘Ready ready….’ preparing for a race.

By Palitha Ariyarathna – Contributer -We Created the RACE Framework to help Drgaon Boat Competitor

Deep Sea Diver and Rescuer

@ 11-11-2008 : I am dedicating this  article for SLAD Dragoon boat team.