Kayak Safety Tips

Learning to kayak takes more than just mastering basic strokes and techniques; it requires the development of a safety-based mindset that is as ordered as it is flexible. While learning rescue techniques is an important and engaging aspect of the sport, the main goal of such lessons is to help you avoid mishaps on the water.

Plan Ahead

Before setting out, learn about the route you plan to travel. Look up the difficulty rating, recommended routes and current water level. Inquire also about potential hazards and check the weather forecast. If paddling in a group, designate a more experienced paddler to be the sweep boat that helps keep everyone together. The American Canoe Association strongly recommends paddling with a partner---always.

Learn the Basics

Learn and practice basic stroke techniques. For whitewater, you should learn to wet exit, read water, ferry across current, eddy hop and scout rapids. A reliable roll will be necessary for more difficult trips. For open water kayaking, you should understand waves, surf, tidal currents and water-traffic rules. For any kind of paddling, it is important to know your limits. Do not let yourself be pressured into something you don't feel ready for.

Pack the Necessary Gear

Always wear a personal flotation device, or PFD. Merely having a PFD on board will not help if you capsize suddenly. Your PFD should be both comfortable and fairly tight. Many styles are available, so take the time to find one that will be comfortable for all-day use. If your PFD fits correctly, you will forget you have it on. Other items you may want to pack include water bottles, sunscreen, throw ropes, knife, whistle, first aid kit, bilge pump, dry bag, tow ropes and helmet. Pack only what you need for the trip; extra weight will affect how your boat handles. If you bring ropes, bring a knife. Ropes can be dangerous in water, especially in moving current. Use them only when another option is not available, and do not allow rope to dangle free in or on your boat.

The Right Clothing Matters

Wear appropriate clothing and pack extra layers. Hypothermia is a real threat for those who engage in water sports. Avoid cotton; it gets cold and clammy when wet and takes a long time to dry. Instead, wear synthetic fabrics such as polyester or polypropylene. Wear layers or pack extra clothes in a dry bag. For colder conditions, you may want a paddling jacket or wet suit. You should also wear appropriate water shoes; it is not a good idea to go on a river trip barefoot or in flip flops. On open water, wear bright colors to make yourself visible to those in motorboats.

Recognize Hazards

Always paddle away from downed trees, which are called strainers for good reason. They can pin your kayak and trap you under water if you come out of your boat. Other river hazards include submerged dams, powerful hydraulics and undercut rocks. On open water, maintain safe distance from rocky shorelines, large ships and marked channels.

Communication Is Key

Wind and moving water can make it difficult to communicate verbally. Learn standard paddle and hand signals and keep a whistle clipped to your life jacket. One blow signals attention; three blows signal an emergency.

Know River Swimming Hazards

If you come out of your kayak on a river or creek, never stand up. Float with your feet and nose to the sky with your back as close to the surface as possible. Trying to stand in swift current will not only give your feet and legs a beating, or breaking, it could also result in foot entrapment, a scary situation where your foot gets stuck under a rock or log while the current continues to push the rest of your body downstream and under water. Never stand unless the water is knee-deep or less. To get to shallow water, you may need to swim hard once you spot an eddy.

Learn Rescue

If you are going to paddle moving water, you should begin to learn and practice self rescue, shore-based rescue and boat-rescue. Learning these skills will help you be a more cooperative victim as well as a more skillful rescuer.

References

• American Canoe Association: Paddler's Safety Checklist
• American Canoe Association: River Paddler's Guide to Rescue
• American Canoe Association: Best Practices for Paddlers and Paddlesport Programs
• "Whitewater Rescue Manual: New Techniques for Canoeists, Kayakers, and Rafters"; Charles Walbridge and Wayne A. Sundmacher; 1995