Accident Plan

In the event of an accident involving competitors or officials occurring on the river

  1. On-course rescue measures and landing of casualties:
    Patrolling the different sections of the course will be 5 safety boats manned with trained first aid crews and equipped with relevant first aid equipment. Stationed on the Middlesex Bank downstream of Ravens Ait will be a St John's ambulance, which will be able to move, if required, to any part of the river between the start and Kingston Bridge in order to receive and look after injured competitors. There are on the Middlesex Bank numerous points of access via steps, many with adjacent mooring stages, to which safety boats can tie up and transfer the person concerned. There is also an SJA first aid crew at the KRC boathouse. In the event that emergency evacuation is required, the following are the access points to which the emergency vehicle may be directed (numbered as indicated on the course map) -
    1. The hire boat moorings 100m downstream from Hampton Course Bridge (Barge Walk, near Hampton Court Palace gate)
    2. The slipway alongside Thames Ditton Sea Scouts HQ (Ditton Reach, KT7 0XB, off Portsmouth Road)
    3. Westfield Landing, Surbiton - the car park opposite Raven's Ait (Portsmouth Road, KT6 4HL, at the junction of Grove Road)
    4. The public slipway at Lower Ham Road, Kingston (adjacent to Canbury Gardens, KT2 5AU, Kingston upon Thames)
  2. The nearest KHORR official should immediately take appropriate action to ensure the task of rescue and / or providing first aid is commenced at the soonest possible moment and the prevention of further accidents.
    This action will include:
    • Alerting the KHORR's Safety and First Aid organisation
    • Commencing the task of rescue and then ensuring provision of whatever assistance may be requested by the person assuming command of the rescue
    • Co-ordinating other officials to assist with marshalling competitors and casualties to a place of safety.
  3. The leader of the first KHORR rescue team to reach the incident should assume command of the rescue upon arrival
    This action will include:
    • Making an immediate assessment of the situation and deciding if more assistance is required
    • Reporting that assessment to the KHORR's Safety and Fist Aid organisation including a description of any response that may be required
    • Co-ordinating and directing that response
    • Deciding, in consultation with the Safety Adviser, if any casualty/ies should be removed to the designated Casualty Landing Place or to any other place
    • Indicating if the public emergency services should be called

In the event of an accident involving competitors or officials in any area of land occupied or used by the regatta organisation

  1. The nearest KHORR official: should immediately take appropriate action to ensure:

    1. the task of rescue/first aid is commenced at the soonest possible moment

    2. the prevention of further accidents.

    This action will include:

    • Alerting the KHORR’s rescue and first aid organisation
    • Commencing the task of rescue and then ensuring provision of whatever assistance may be requested by the person assuming command of the rescue
    • Co-ordinating other officials to assist with marshalling competitors and casualties to a place of safety

  2. The leader of the first KHORR rescue team: to reach the incident should assume command of the rescue upon arrival.
    This action will include:

    • Making an immediate assessment of the situation and deciding if more assistance is required;

    • Reporting that assessment to the KHORR's rescue and first aid organisation including a description of any response that may be required;

    • Co-ordinating and directing that response;

    • Deciding, in consultation with the safety adviser, if any casualty/s should be removed to the designated casualty landing place or to any other place;

    • Deciding if further rescue units should be brought to the scene;

    • Indicating if the ambulance should be re-located from the h.o.r.'s hq to another place; and

    • Indicating if the public emergency services should be called.

  3. All other KHORR officials: should immediately take appropriate action to ensure a co-ordinated response is taken to the task of rescue.
    This action will include:

    • Ensuring that all competitors, officials and members of the public comply with the directions given by the person assuming command of the rescue;

    • Taking sympathetic steps to prevent panic or hysteria;

    • Ensuring that further accidents are prevented; and

    • Relaying information through the KHORR’s rescue and first aid organisation in a measured, calm and controlled manner.