Basic Safety Equipment 1
Whistle: All paddlers, including beginners,
need a loud whistle attached to their PFD or helmet in a way that it can be easily and quickly inserted in their mouth with either the right or left hand.
If you are caught in a pin, broach or strainer and need a rescue, use 3 distinct
blasts to alert others of your emergency.2
Throw Bag: Beginning paddlers are not expected to have a throw bag. Novices and above should invest in a throw bag, practice throwing it and bring it on all float trips.
Helmet: Helmets are required for all WW trips and should be worn on any other trip that involves swift current with rocks or trees.
PFD: Worn by all paddlers on all KCA trips.
1Please remember, you are ultimately responsible for decisions that affect your own health and safety. Being accepted for a trip neither relieves you of this responsibility nor transfers this responsibility to anyone else. You accepted responsibility for your own health and safety when you signed the Liability Waiver to join KCKA.
Trip leaders/coordinators do reserve the right to reject your participation
if they feel you will be a risk to yourself or the group. This does not mean
they accept responsibility for your safety. Trip leaders are simply coordinators
and they are not responsible for your health and safety.
2Your trip Leader/coordinator will instruct on the use of whistle and
paddle signals at the beginning of the trip. A whistle is used to get the
attention of the boat in front of you, or to relay a signal from behind to the
lead boat. 3
distinct blasts are reserved for emergency use only and indicate that help is
urgently needed. A single short blast
can be relayed forward to slow or stop the lead boat for non-emergencies. Paddle signals
are generally used to get the attention of boaters behind you.
*** This is not intended as a complete list of safety requirements. Many other items such as drinking water, food, sun protection, first aid, change of clothes, other rescue equipment, etc. might be required for a safe trip and can vary based on river selection, weather and other conditions. Please see the suggested trip checklist and safety articles on the KCKA website for additional information. ***
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