index
forum
fixtures & results
news
regions
team / squad
carp team
specimens
- record fish
committee
admin & docs
contact
links
gallery
sitemap
search

our sponsor

news
index
latest article
2008 Champs Report
2007 Winter Carpers Eye
Carp Champs 07
Carp Pairs Champs
Natl Fishing Week 07
2006 Winter Carpers Eye
Record Match Weight
2006 Jul Carpers Eye
Carp & Coarse Show
Carp Team created
Weils Dis/Leptospirosis
2005 Season Report
2005 Inter League Champs
Jnr Fishing Week
Moat Project cheque
Natl Fishing Week 05
Safety Survey
2004 Overseas Challenge
2002/03 Season Report

RAFCAA/Chair/04/05

1. Introduction. Statistically, angling is the most dangerous sport conducted in the British Isles in terms of numbers of deaths per year. However this is a reflection more on the number of participants their average age and the relatively sedentary nature of the sport, rather than an inherent ‘danger’ factor. Within the Armed Forces therefore, a relatively physically fit demographic group, there is no correlation with the angling population as a hole. However there are a number of health and safety features, which must be considered for any RAF sponsored event as given below. Health and safety briefings before every match detail those factors relevant to that particular event. The risks can be divided into environmental and procedural categories.

2. The Risks.

a. Environmental.

(i). Access to the Water. All water features are inherently dangerous due to the risk of drowning. This risk is enhanced by deep and or flowing water and consideration must be given to access to a peg, (steepness of bank, under-bank erosion, flooding and water-line drop-offs). It is the responsibility of all Match Secretaries/pegging officials to ensure that all pegs included in RAF matches are easy to access, are stable and do not require wading in deep water. If there is any doubt as to the ‘fishability’ of a particular peg it is to be left out of the competition or made safe.

(ii). Electricity Pylons. Aside from heart attacks, electrocution from overhead power cables is the greatest cause of coarse angling fatalities. The carbon-fibre construction of most modern rods and poles makes almost the perfect electrical conductor and the arcing effect does not require rods to actually make contact with electric power lines to conduct the electricity to the angler. Legal requirements ensure that, on club or water authority owned venues no pegs are to be placed within 30m either side of a power-line and signs are erected to warn of the danger. However, an independent assessment by the match organiser of RAF sponsored matches is also to be conducted and the ‘30m rule’ is to be strictly adhered to.

(iii). Lightning. Again due to the high carbon content of most modern rods/poles, they make excellent lightning conductors. Competitors are therefore strongly recommended not to use poles during thunderstorms.

(iv). Weils Disease. Weils disease is transmitted through rats urine and is particularly prevalent along river-banks. It can be contracted by humans through open cuts directly into the blood stream. Symptoms are akin to the ‘flu’, and, unless identified early, the disease is usually fatal. However it is fairly hard to contract and simple measures can greatly reduce the risk. Cuts and abrasions should be covered up prior to fishing, and any cuts or abrasions sustained on the bank should be treated with clean, fresh water (not from the venue) and covered up immediately. > see separate report

(v). Roadside Venues. Some venues, such as the North Bank of the river Nene are located right next to busy main roads. Anglers are to ensure that all cars are parked well off the road, and that all tackle is well clear of the road. They are also to ensure that they tackle up and pack away well away from the road verge.

b. Procedural.

(i). Wading. Some venues require anglers to wade into the water in order to fish. Where this is required, anglers may only wade to a depth where the water does not extend beyond the knees unless he can touch the bank with his fingertips. In addition, anglers are strongly encouraged to test the nature of the river/lake bed with a bank stick or landing-net handle prior to wading.

(ii). Playing Fish. On commercial fisheries a recent method developed for landing big fish has been to play the fish directly off the pole elastic (effectively hand-lining). This is potentially extremely dangerous as it involves a straight line between the fish and angler. A broken line or pulled hook therefore has the potential to embed a pole float in an angers hand or face. This method is therefore banned for any RAF sponsored matches.

3. Mitigation. Many of the potential risk can be minimised through the application of common sense. In addition, Health and Safety briefs are to be given by the match organiser prior to every match, focusing on those items listed above. There are few if any costs associated with mitigation, other than consideration for booking a reserve venue when the primary venue is a river prone to flooding.

A S CORBETT
Wg Cdr
Chairman RAF Coarse Angling