If a medical emergency occurs on the dragon boat in or outside the marina:

  1. CALL (510) 981-5911, THE DIRECT LINE TO BERKELEY’S EMERGENCY DISPATCH. (A 911 call will be delayed through CHP then redirected to Berkeley Emergency Dispatch anyway).
  2. BERKELEY EMERGENCY DISPATCH will direct you to do one of the following (‘a’ will be the most likely direction):
    • a) PADDLE patient QUICKLY to the RAMP next to the Boatyard between Docks A and B for the AMBULANCE or to Dock M if closer, OR
    • b) MEET UP with the BERKELEY FIRE BOAT on the water for them to take the patient to the AMBULANCE (Berkeley Fire Boat is at Dock B and not always manned. Crew from Fire Station 6 on Cedar drives to Fireboat), OR
    • c) BERKELEY EMERGENCY DISPATCH may have the COAST GUARD at (415) 399-7300 respond if out in bay but response can be up to 30minutes.
  3. BERKELEY EMERGENCY DISPATCH will direct caller how to help the patient until First Responders arrive.
  4. If CPR is needed on the boat or dock, ask if anyone knows CPR and tell them to perform it on the patient with the chest on a boat seat or on the dock.
    If near the guest dock, have another person get the public AED/Defibrillator from the Berkeley Yacht Club and have them use it on the patient (if there is no pulse). Tell dispatch to direct the ambulance to the Yacht Club.

  • Laminated list of emergency phone numbers
  • diffent size bandaids
  • Non-stick sterile gauze pads
  • Various sizes regular sterile gauze pads
  • Sterile eye pad
  • Gauze roll
  • Paper tape
  • ACE Bandage
  • Hand sanitizing wipes
  • Wet ones
  • alcohol wipes
  • Antiseptic Skin Cleanser
  • Antibacterial ointment
  • ASA: non-coated
  • Ibuprophen
  • Benedryl (allergic reaction)
  • Glucose gel
  • 3 N-95 masks
  • Latex gloves: 4 pairs
  • Plastic tweezer
  • Bandage scissors
  • CPR breathing barrier
  • Emergency blanket
  • Ice packs
  • bottle of water

  • Bandaids
  • Gauze pads
  • Gauze wrap
  • Alcohol wipes
  • Wet ones
  • Aspirin (non-coated)
  • Glucose gel
  • VHS Radio
  • Smoke Flare

CPR/AED & First Aid Information

Weather, Water and other Significant Factors to consider when steering a dragon boat

Weather Conditions

Weather Fronts

  • Strong cold fronts from the Gulf of Alaska/North Pacific have the largest impacts on the water conditions for the San Francisco Bay Area
  • However, be aware of Pacific hurricanes coming north from Baja Mexico; the COLD California current destroys the hurricane’s warm core, but the remnants can bring dry lightning storms into the area

Weather Sources

  • The Weather Channel – comprehensive, though less focused on Pacific coast

  • Weather West – UCLA Professor Daniel Swain provides insightful analysis on the Pacific

Water Conditions

Two Types of Waves

  • WAVES – Found throughout the marina

    – Not necessarily an issue unless greater than 25 mph
    – Witnessing whitecaps
    – Wind Speed: 25 mph = 21.7 knots

  • SWELL – Found at the two breakwaters

Boat Alignment

Tsunami

Early Warning Signs

Water in the marina quickly moves out

  • Boats will tip over, so numerous masts are no longer be vertical
  • Water wildlife will be caught in the exposed mud and flapping around, including fish and seals

At this point, DO NOT INVESTIGATE!

  • You have seconds to minutes before the tsunami hits

  • Front of the marina (BYC specifically) will take brunt of tsunami

  • Immediately get to higher ground or to the back of the marina (towards hotel)

  • After the initial tsunami hits, additional tsunamis will follow; this is where a lot of casualties occur as it is still NOT safe!

What makes the Berkeley Marina vulnerable?

We are directly across the Golden Gate Bridge and a tsunami, generated by a large earthquake/volcanic eruption near the Philippines or Indonesia, is likely to strike us.

Capsize Drills

Capsize practice with Rodger

Dragon Boat Capsize Drill

How to brace the OC and stop a huli