| Safety is one of the most important elements in | | | | paddle if possible; it can be extended out to the |
| ensuring an enjoyable and safe trip. How this | | | | boat to help pull you back to it. If the paddle is |
| works depends on the size of your group and the | | | | interfering with your swimming and ability to |
| conditions of the area you'll be hiking or camping | | | | self-rescue, let go of it and take care of yourself. |
| in, or the river you'll be on. | | | | *Always secure your boat and yourself before |
| River Connection recommends a complete | | | | attempting any rescue, you might just have more |
| run-through for everyone. This can be done | | | | in trouble if you don't. Never float downstream |
| humorously and is a good way to introduce | | | | from your boat, this creates the danger of being |
| yourself to boaters and not scare the novices | | | | crushed between the boat and an obstacle. |
| among them. | | | | * If you are swimming through whitewater, |
| Safety Talk - River Points to Cover | | | | breathe at the top of the wave, and hold your |
| * Agree on hand signals that will be used on the | | | | breath when the waves breaks over you. |
| water. They may vary between groups to | | | | *If the boat flips, protect your head from hard |
| difrferentiate between several 3-5 raft teams . | | | | objects like frames and oars. If you come up |
| * Keep a boat in front and rear view at all times. | | | | under the raft, get out from under it, preferably |
| If you do not see the boat behind you, stop and | | | | on the upstream side. You can always get air by |
| wait for the boat to catch up. Doing this will alert | | | | pushing up on the raft floor. Use your hands and |
| you to possible emergencies quickly, where | | | | feet against the raft floor to find direction. Travel |
| seconds can be the difference between life and | | | | in one direction until you are out from under the |
| death | | | | boat. If possible, climb on the flipped boat and help |
| * Agree on who runs lead and who runs sweep. | | | | right it. If you are separated from the boat, float |
| Who is safety in the middle, and how to space | | | | on your back and make your way to shore or |
| the boats. | | | | another boat. In all swimming situations, keep your |
| * Talk about how to handle a swimmer (man | | | | feet up to avoid foot entrapment. |
| overboard scenerio). | | | | * Strainers and Logs - Finding your self swimming |
| * Talk about rescue set up at major rapids. | | | | can be very dangerous. Approaching the strainer |
| * Who has the rescue gear. | | | | or log flip on your stomach, swim hard and get on |
| * Where are the First Aid kits located. | | | | top of the obstacle. If you go under it, there's |
| * Talk about the use of throw Bags, every boat | | | | extreme danger of getting trapped underwater. |
| should have at least one. | | | | * High Side - means just that get to the high side |
| Safety on the River | | | | of the boat. The side nearest the rock is where |
| * The best policy is to wear your life jacket at all | | | | you want to be. Transferring the weight quickly is |
| times when on the water. Emergency situations | | | | of up most importance. The water can pile up on |
| can develop at any time. Make sure your personal | | | | the upstream side, force of the moving water will |
| flotation device or PFD is properly fastened and | | | | wrap the boat against the rock. |
| adjusted. | | | | * Keep your legs inside the boat at all times to |
| * Attach a whistle to your life jacket as a | | | | avoid getting them crushed between the boat and |
| signaling device. | | | | rocks or other obstacles. |
| * Wearing a helmet while scouting rapids is | | | | * Never tie the rope to yourself use another |
| absolutely essential | | | | person or tree as a back up. Know how to hold |
| * Animals need a life jacket also, they cannot | | | | the rope if you're the one being rescued grab the |
| swim any better than you can in whitewater. | | | | rope, not the bag, and to hold the rope at your |
| * Whether you're in an oar or paddle boat, pay | | | | chest, lie on your back and kick to assist the |
| attention to the boat captain. The Captain is the | | | | rescuer. If you are the rescuer, select a spot that |
| one in charge and will be depending on you to | | | | allows you to swing the swimmer downstream |
| follow directions quickly. | | | | into a safe area. Never try to pull a person cross |
| * When signaling another boat about an obstacle | | | | current. |
| point to the clear path, not to the obstacle. | | | | * Plenty of sun protection and water for |
| * Protect your feet by keeping your shoes or | | | | hydration are very important. |
| sandals on while you are on the water. Wearing | | | | Safety Off the Water |
| the protection can save your feet in an | | | | * Many accidents occur when getting out of the |
| emergency. | | | | boat and scouting the rapids. River rocks are |
| * Always keep your ropes neatly stowed. Getting | | | | often covered with moss and slippery. Take your |
| tangled up in loose ropes and straps can be very | | | | time when scouting; many times there is no trail, |
| dangerous. Do not tie yourself into the boat or tie | | | | just climbing over the rocks or brush. Always |
| a line around yourself. You may need to get free | | | | wear foot protection. |
| in a flip situation. | | | | * If there are poisonous snakes in the area, be |
| * Self rescue is a valuable skill to have when you | | | | careful where you put your hands and feet. |
| have been thrown out of the boat. Unusually | | | | Check under things picking them up slowly |
| presents two choices, if you're close to the boat | | | | especially under your tent. Check shoes and |
| and a strong swimmer, you may be able to swim | | | | bedding for insects, spiders, scorpions etc prior to |
| quickly to the boat and get pulled back in. If | | | | using or wearing them. |
| you're separated from the boat or in big | | | | * Know what poison ivy/oak looks like so you |
| whitewater, you may have to get through the | | | | can avoid it. If you have dogs on the trip wash |
| rapid first. A properly fitted life jacket will allow | | | | them in the river, with soap when you know they |
| you to turn on your back pointing your feet | | | | have been into it. Getting the oil off you and the |
| downstream. This allows you to see what's | | | | animal can make all the difference in how bad you |
| coming and to push off rocks and obstacles with | | | | react to it. |
| your feet, rather than hitting your head. | | | | * Side-hikes, carry a first aid kit, water, be sure |
| * In a rescue situation, save the people first and | | | | to tell others where you are going. Never hike or |
| worry about equipment later. If you are tossed | | | | swim alone. |
| from a paddle boat or a kayaker, hang onto your | | | | |