Paddling Safety
If you are smart, paddling won’t be dangerous. If you will follow the advise of experienced paddlers, your paddling experience can be very safe and relaxing. It can be as safe as riding a bicycle, hiking or driving a car. If you choose to ignore safety guidelines your
paddling experience could result in serious injury or death.
As long as I dress properly, paddle with others and don’t select rivers that exceed my personal paddling skills I feel safer paddling on the river than I do driving on the highway where I have to oppose drunks and fatigued drivers. For me, paddling is much safer
than riding my bicycle across town.
Dressing Properly:
Always wear a PFD (Life Jacket/Personal Floatation Device). Most paddling deaths occur because the paddler failed to wear a PFD.
If either the weather or water temperature makes it too cold for swimming, be sure to wear
Special Cold-Water Paddling Apparel to survive an accidental swim and avoid hypothermia. Getting wet and cold when you are some distance from the takeout can be very serious or fatal. Please dress correctly or wait until it is warm enough for safe swimming.
Take a complete Emergency Change of Clothes in a suitable dry bag (not a plastic sack with a wire tie). A change of clothes is not a substitute for proper cold-water apparel. It is an extra safety measure.
If there is whitewater or any other risk of hitting your head, Wear a Helmet. This risk is greater for kayakers because they could be upside down for a few seconds before exiting or rolling. Granted, you probably won’t find anyone wearing a helmet on the local Arkansas and Kansas Rivers. Please do consider wearing a helmet for rocky rivers with riffles like Fall River, Grouse Creek and rivers like those found in the Ozarks. For any whitewater trip Class II or greater wearing a helmet demonstrates intelligence. In fact, without one you probably won’t be welcome because you put the whole group at risk.
Protect Your Eyes with Polaroid sunglasses. Polaroid glasses are the only sunglasses that will reduce most of the Sun’s reflection off the water. 100% UV protection is a plus.
Wear a Hat or Headgear suitable to protect you from the Sun’s rays and/or cold air/water.
Wear Sunscreen on Exposed Skin, even in the winter. You get a double exposure on the water do to the reflected rays in addition to the direct radiation from the Sun.
Paddle with Others for Safety.
Paddle with Others, especially when you are new or inexperienced. You will find paddling partners ready to assist you if you get in trouble. When several boats are involved in a float, an experienced paddler will usually run sweep (the last boat in the group) to assist anyone that might need help or fall behind. You will find this very comforting if you have an accidental capsize, get caught against a brush pile, hit a sharp object or get hurt. Granted these things rarely happen when they do it is real nice to have help and it could save your life.
Know your Limitations:
Begin on real easy rivers and Take Baby Steps. Gradually challenge yourself with more difficulty. Don’t jump
onto a river that looks much wilder than you have previously experienced. Remember, risk increases with swifter water and obstacles. If you show up at the put-in and the river is up and roaring, consider waiting till the next time.
Be smart instead of macho. Don’t take unnecessary chances, especially if you are new to the sport. Discuss your
skill level and paddling experience with the trip coordinator and follow his/her recommendations.
To help you learn about safety issues, guidelines and the reason they exist here are some must read articles and helpful links.
Know Your Limits - A Safety Publication from the American Canoe Association
Safety Requirements and Guidelines for ACA Sanctioned Events
ACA Pre-Event Safety Checklist
ACA Beginner's
Guide to Paddling
Critical
Judgment - Understanding and Preventing Canoe and Kayak Fatalities - An ACA
Study
Critical Judgment - Review and Summary - by Jim Johnson
Stacking the Deck in Your Favor - Whitewater Paddling Tips by T. J. Hittle
Hypothermia and Cold Water Survival - Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission Boating Programs
Frequently Asked Questions - Mick O'Shea
Safety and Your Canoe - Mick O'Shea
© 2005 Chris Collins, All Rights Reserved