Dramatic Season Opening - Dolphins and A Mayday Call

As part of our safety preparation for the season we attended a Watersports First Aid course at Toward Seasports Club run by Phil Keetley. To make the most of our trip to the hard to access mainland north of Bute and Phil’s top class practical teaching skills, we opted for an additional day of practical sea kayak first aid scenario training. The exercises in the strong wind, rain and cold reinforced the classroom lessons, particularly to understand the need to assess an emergency situation and urgent need to deal with hypothermia.

Hypothermia rescue scenario

Phil Keetley teaching first aid

Travelling Gourock to Dunoon and on to Toward

Back on Arran, to ease ourselves into the new season, we went kayaking on Lamlash Bay and visited Holy Isle. Our our way back we were greeted by two dolphins, their tall, slightly curved dorsal fin clearly visible as they travelled south. The perfect start to our wildlife watching year.

Holy Isle in the sunshine

One of the two dolphins spotted travelling south

The following day, with our first client of the season, we were heading past Lamlash in search of seals when we heard an unusual sound. We investigated and discovered a swimmer in distress. Realising that she may have been very cold, we helped her onto the back of one of our boats, called mayday on the radio to alert the coastguard, and towed the rafted boats to shore. Half way to land, realising we would reach the slipway before the lifeboat could launch, we called on the radio for an ambulance. On landing, we helped keep the casualty warm with a mat, blanket and foil sheet. Fortunately, the lifeboat crew and, soon after, ambulance arrived to provide professional care.

Exploring one of the rivers that feed Lamlash Bay

The equinoctial high tide enabled us to see the bridge

Many thanks to Phil of Sea Kayak Argyll and Bute for helping us prepare for such an emergency.