Inquest into Racer’s Death

Rob / 01.07.2003

The recent inquest into the death of Rene Arseneault at the June 2002 Fundy Multi-Sport race in Canada has come up with some recommendations and conclusions which will be of interest to all racers and race organisers.

The 4 day hearing examined the death, which happened when Arseneault capsized during high seas created by a sudden thunderstorm and died from hypothermia after being in the cold waters of the Bay of Fundy for an hour. It also made recommendations to help prevent a similar death and explored issues such as racer’s and organiser’s joint responsibilities for safety and the lack of a governing body for adventure racing.

The coroner\'s jury of 5 listened to 25 witnesses over 4 days and came up with 9 recommendations, though hopefully most of these are already in practice at races that allow ocean kayaking. They included;

• good communications in the race organisation
  
• good safety equipment for competitors
  
• only allowing experienced kayakers on the ocean
  
• providing weather forecasts
  
• carrying marine hand held flares
  
• giving strong consideration to using wetsuits
  
• giving strong consideration to using waterproof kayak skirts
  
• more awareness of the shared responsibility between organisers and participants

Unfortunately, the recommendations don’t appear to have been published on-line yet, but there is an excellent news report on Canadaeast.com.

Some of the other details the article records made disturbing reading. The safety boat was inadequate for the rough seas and was beached before Arseneault capsized and the organisers had “missed a small-craft warning”, were not sure who was still out at sea when the stage was called off and hadn’t informed the Coast Guard the race was on.

André Arseneault, Rene’s brother, commented the inquest will have been worthwhile if race organisers heed the advice and added: \"I\'d like to think that this wasn\'t all for nothing.”