Safety

Being a biker, and very keen on self preservation. I do tend to be over cautious on the road with other users and this rubs off into our boating exploits. The Memsahib thinks that I am "a bit of a mother hen" when I occasionally remind her about possible dangers.

On the road, I use the "three phase" looking ahead road scanning method. I visually check behind (called the lifesaver). I then check the road ahead as far as the next vehicle. Then I check into the distance as far as I can see. Then repeat it all again.

  

On a bike you also have to read the road surface. A pothole in the road, white lines, and metal grate covers when wet can be very dangerous hazards when you are only on two wheels. I also use the police motorcycle rider positioning techniques, with the maxim "never give up safety for position." - When combined with road scanning, (to the uninitiated) it looks like I am wandering about on the road. But I am placing myself in the safest position on the road. However, it my be safest option to be in the wrong riding position such as to avoid a road surface hazard.

Having done some training with the police on a Bikesafe course a few years ago. This started me appreciating just how much better a trained police rider really is. There is a book that is recommended reading for the course.  - Yes I know another book. - It is called The Police Rider's Handbook to Better Motorcycling. The book is easy to understand and very informative. It covers all aspects of riding a motorcycle safely.

Canals and rivers are also like the roads a dangerous places to be. However, if you can minimise risk by using safety techniques, then so-much-the-better. As was said on the safe riding course "complacency comes with experience." So for me safety checking carries over when working through locks - The Memsahib does sometimes get the hump-on if I remind her of the basic safety rules.  We also have a couple of small handheld radios that each of us carries when locking. They have proved very useful for communicating on some of the bigger locks of when out of sight of each other.

I have my own set of locking rules that I try very hard never to break.

1. The helmsman is in charge at all times.
2. Always try to be in line-of-sight with the boat helmsman.
3. Never let the bow or stern come into contact with the lock gates.
4. Always be prepared to close the paddle(s) in an emergency.
5. Never open a paddle more than half way before the lock is half full.
6. Always walk, never run.
7. Never jump cross an open gap.
8. Always visually check the cill marker.
9. Never walk closer than three feet from the lock edge.
10. Always remove the hand windlass.
11. Never have your back to the lock.
12. Always ask before assisting another boat through a lock.
13. Never walk down the sides of the boat in a lock.
14. Always use a centre mooring line in broad locks.
15. Never be in a hurry.
16. Always accompany a crew member who is new to operating a lock.
17. Never operate a lock without the safety ratchet on.
18. Always check clothing will not get caught in the lock paddle mechanism.
19. Never let a lock paddle drop.
20. Always do a quick visual scan of the lock for problems before beginning to operate.

Later...