Safety
Most members of the Carolina Canoe Club paddle whitewater venues however we do have some that paddle other types of waterways. The information in the section applies to all whitewater paddlers but it also applies to most of the recreational paddlers as it involves basic safety measures.
Remember: No matter what type of watercraft you paddle or what organization you paddle for or what safety organization you ask there is 1 single thing that every single one of them will highlight first;
ALWAYS WEAR YOUR LIFE JACKET
while on the water! The Carolina Canoe Club is no different. We expect all of our members to always wear their life jacket/PFD while on the water. Additionally we expect our members to promote wearing life jackets/PFDs to anyone participating in a trip being organized by members.
With that being said, the rest of the information listed here is meant to be an overview. We highly recommend that you take at least a River Safety & Rescue course along with CPR/1st Aid training and encourage you to further your education in both categories any chance you get.
The “Knows”
- Yourself and your Little Group of Paddlers (LGOP): Strength, weaknesses, physical and mental conditions, gear carried, medical problems, etc.
- The River: Put in, take out, hazards, evacuation routes, flow, level, water temperature, etc.
- The Weather: what is the forecast or expected weather, what are possible weather changes, what if forecast is wrong, etc.
- The Hazards: River features, critters, vehicles, people, the environment, bad judgement, gear failure, etc.
- The Important Skills: Paddling, safety and rescue, CPR/first aid. The more you know, the more likely you will be able to help.
Personal Preparedness
- Always wear a properly fitted Personal Flotation Device(PFD) designed for the type of water you are paddling.
- Avoid paddling alone.
- Do not boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Be a competent swimmer, comfortable in the water, with the ability to handle yourself underwater and in the type of water you are paddling.
- Have a realistic assessment of your paddling ability. Never attempt a body of water where your inability may jeopardize yourself or your fellow paddlers.
- Know and respect river classifications.
- Be suitably clothed and equipped (dress for long term submersion in the type of water you are paddling).
- Secure any rope or straps, which may possible become entangled in your limbs.
- Be practiced in self rescue, rescue of others, and first aid.
- If you suffer from a known medical condition, bring appropriate medication and advise others of your condition!
Regardless of whether or not you have taken a safety class, please remember the following
Priorities of any rescue
- Protect yourself first! Do not do anything that puts yourself into harm while trying to help others
- Protect the people in your group in the same manner
- Keep an eye out for bystanders, do your best to keep them from becoming involved and possibly creating another victim
- Then do your best to safely help the victim, Remember: you and your group are no good to the victim if you become a victim as well
- Only after you know all the people are safe do you go after the equipment, usually the bigger more important gear such as the boat and paddle first.
If you become a swimmer /fall out of your boat;
- Get on the upstream side or end of your boat immediately if it is a body of water with current. Even a slow current can make a battering ram out of a boat. If you are on a lake or open body of water with no current, ensure you stay with your boat as long as it stays afloat as it will help you with buoyancy and make it easier for a rescue team to locate you.
- When swimming in whitewater, float on your back with your feet on the surface and downstream of your head (Defensive Swimming). When dropping over falls or through narrow areas, ball up in the tuck position to prevent entrapment of arms or legs, then resume the defensive swimming after you have cleared the hazard. DO NOT attempt to stand up, even in slow moving water, before it is less than knee-deep. A foot entrapment can become deadly very quickly.
- Remember cold water will take your strength away very quickly!
- Remain calm and help as much as possible with your rescue.
- FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS OF RESCUERS. They are usually in a better position to evaluate hazards and determine appropriate actions than you are.
Common River Signals;
Whitewater can be quite noisy. With paddlers traveling at a safe distance apart it can be difficult for members of a group to communicate effectively with one and another. A common language of sound and visuals, referred to as river signals, is frequently use.
First is the audible signal/whistle blast: It is used to the get the attention of others. Everyone on the river should have a whistle readily accessible but should only use it for emergencies. NOTE: Do not fasten a whistle to the zipper pull of your PFD, the force of the water against the whistle can unzip your PFD.
Whistle Signals
- One Blast: Attention, possible emergency
- Three Blasts: Help, emergency. Frequently used notify others of a swimmer in the water.
Note: Different groups such as some non paddling Swiftwater Rescue Teams are known to have different whistle signals that mean different things. This should be covered in the Safety Brief prior to each trip and everyone needs to be clear on what each signal means.
Also, do not count on the whistle as the only method. Use visual signals (described next) in conjunction with the whistle to ensure everyone is alerted, even those who cannot hear the whistle due to others sounds in the area or hearing disabilities.
Visual Signals are performed with arms and/or paddles, as illustrated below. When any of the signals are used, it should be passed on to all other paddlers in the group immediately. The group should then take appropriate action. Below are the most commonly used and recognized visual signals;
ARE YOU OKAY? To ask if someone is okay take one arm and point to the person you are asking about. At the same time pat the top of your head or helmet with the other hand. This is asking the question, “Are you Okay?”. If the person being asked is okay they should respond by patting the top of their head with their hand, meaning “yes I’m Okay”. Any other response, waving their arms, or a no response is taken to mean that person in not okay.
STOP: Hold paddle horizontally above your head or hold arms horizontally out to your sides. This means do not proceed. Paddle can also be held above head with 1 arm if needed as long as paddle is horizontal. Following paddlers should remain in an eddy or get to the nearest eddy. Do not proceed downstream until signaled to do so.
PROCEED STRAIGHT AHEAD / ALL CLEAR: Hold the paddle vertically or raise one arm straight up above your head. This indicates to proceed straight down through the center of the rapid following where the paddler just went. It also signals all clear in that direction.
PROCEED THIS WAY/DIRECTIONAL: Take your paddle or your arm and point 45 degrees to the left or right. Always point the direction you want the paddlers to go, the clear and safe path. DO NOT point to an obstruction or hazard. This tells the following paddlers that the route the signaling paddler was running was not clear or the best line to run.
WARNING /EMERGENCY: Wave your paddle and/or arms above your head. This can mean you yourself are in trouble or that there is an emergency ahead, response depends on the situation.
Resources for paddle sports education and safety
The 2 organizations that play a huge roll in paddle sports by setting the example for education and safety are to include most of the information above are;
ACA – American Canoe Kayak SUP Raft Rescue
ACA Educational Information (To include Safety)
Safety and Rescue Courses Information
ACA River Safety and Rescue Terminology Handbook
Rescue and Risk Management Resources
Video resources with great training value;
R3 Rescue for River Runners: 12 Video’s produced by Jim Coffey, used as a precursor for many SWR classes.
ACA YouTube Channel: Many videos with tips and techniques to stay safe while paddling.
NRS.com: NRS provides numerous videos and tutorials on safety and rescue techniques and tips.
Book resources with great training value and a wealth of information. keep in mind that the older versions still contain a lot of great information from many of the pioneers of this sport’s safety however some of the information and/or techniques discussed may be outdated. These sources are in no way a substitute to the value of taking an approved Safety and Medical course.
Safety and Rescue Publications;
- SWR Pocket Guide: Justin Padgett, Landmark Learning
- River Rescue and Safety Field Guide(1st Ed): Sierra Rescue, Julie Munger, 2017
- River Rescue Workbook(4th Ed): Sierra Rescue, Julie Munger & Abigail Polsby, 2017
- NOLS River Rescue Guide: Nate Ostis, 2015
- River Rescue(4th Ed): Les Bechtel and Slim Ray, 2009
- Swiftwater Rescue: Slim Ray, 2002
- Whitewater Rescue Manual: Charles Walbridge, Wayne Sundmacher, 1995
Medical/First Aid Publications;
- Wilderness First Aid: Emergency Care in Remote Locations, AAOS, 2017
- Wilderness and Remote Access First Aid Field Guide: Sierra Rescue, Abigail Polsby, 2017
- NOLS Wilderness First Aid: T Schimelpfenig and Joan Safford, 2016
- Outward Bound Wilderness First Aid Handbook: Jeffrey Isaac, 2013
- The Wilderness First Aid Handbook: Grant Lipman, 2012
A link with good-to-know basic information for an unresponsive paddler;
https://www.acls.net/first-aid-for-unconscious-person.htm
Link to a great starter medical kit for paddlers. Each paddler should ensure they tailor their kit to their skill level;
https://www.adventuremedicalkits.com/medical-kits/ultralight-watertight.html
Once again please take a River Safety & Rescue course and a CPR/First Aid course for more in depth training on all of the above.
Please contact us if you have any questions or to get schedule for the next available Safety & Rescue class so you can further your education and help keep yourself and your fellow paddlers safe.