1. Safety First
To avoid impact injuries in kayaking, wear safety equipment. All kayakers must wear a helmet. The helmet must fit snugly on your head, and you should adjust the chin straps in place. Any questions about fit and comfort must be addressed before you get in the kayak. Properly fitting life jackets are mandatory, and these must also fit properly to your body. Life jackets now come in many different styles and designs. Look at all the different options and select one that allows to move freely while keeping you safe. Always pack your emergency kit in the bottom of the kayak. In this kit, include waterproof matches, flares, splints, various bandages and a pair of sharp scissors.
2. Sound Judgment
Avoiding injuries through impact with rocks, trees or other kayaks is a matter of using good judgment and common sense. Plan the route you want to follow carefully. Be honest with yourself about your skills, fatigue level and the level of challenge you want. Check the weather forecast, then check the actual weather conditions before you go. Look at the water and evaluate the risk and your plan to deal with the unexpected. The best kayaker makes decisions based on the facts, not bravado.
3. Plan the Route With Care
To plan your kayaking trip, review maps of the area's waterways. Check the depth, changes in elevation, exposure and type of water. Ask fellow kayakers about the route and how much skill they think it would take to navigate. Review the water sources in the local region and think about the recent weather. Look for the number of rivers that feed into the area you want to kayak. Also, check the amount of local water runoff, and any other factors you could think of that would affect your journey. If the route is hazards, such as a small water fall, rocks or rapids, practice your skills independently for each potential hazard. Practice righting the kayak when it flips over. Make sure your skills are ready to tackle the challenges ahead.
4. Communication is Key
When traveling with other kayakers, establish clear, consistent hand signals to let each other know what's going on. The signals your team should recognize include: who should go first, time to stop, problem, help needed and emergency. The use of hand signals reduces the chance of an impact collision with other kayaks. It also allows the group to avoid obstacles that can cause impact injuries when kayaking.
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