T1028 River Boating Safety Course.ppt - Troop 1028 files/T1028 River Boating Safety Course.pdfRiver Boating Safety - Kayaking / Canoeing /Kayaking / Canoeing / Whitewater Merit Badges

River Boating Safety -Kayaking / Canoeing /Kayaking / Canoeing / Whitewater Merit Badges

Susan Saliba, Eric Cutright, Troop 1028, August 2015

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River Boating Safety - OutlineRiver Boating Safety Outline• Boat Types• Essential Gear Protecting and Securing Gear• Essential Gear, Protecting and Securing Gear• Getting Into and Out of a Boat• Good Posture and Basic/Advanced ManeuveringGood Posture and Basic/Advanced Maneuvering• Rapids Classifications• Reading the River (MOST IMPORTANT PART)• So you capsized yourself, now what?• BSA Safety Afloat / Safe Swim Defense Training• Mandatory Buddies and Boating Formation• Safety Signals

River Etiquette• River Etiquette

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Boat Typesyp

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Boat Types - KayaksBoat Types Kayaks

• Sit - on – top (15.5’) • Whitewater (10’)Sit on top (15.5 ) Whitewater (10 )

• Sit – inside (12’) • Tandem (14.5’)

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Boat Types - CanoesBoat Types Canoes

• Single Seat (13’)g ( )

• Two Seater (14.5’)

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Boat Lengths and ShapesBoat Lengths and Shapes

• In general, a shorter boat is more responsive and g , peasier to maneuver on rivers– Whitewater kayaks are typically short (10’) to make quick moves

in tricky rapids but can be hard to keep on a straight linein tricky rapids, but can be hard to keep on a straight line

• A wider boat is more stable than a narrow boatNarro boats ma be faster b t are easier to tip– Narrow boats may be faster but are easier to tip

• The boat bottom shape also affects performance– Flat bottom (less rocker) – more stable, takes more effort to spin– Curved bottom (more rocker) – easy to turn and spin

• Whitewater kayaks typically have very rounded bottom

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Oars and PaddlesOars and Paddles

• Kayaking Paddlesy g

• Canoe Paddles• Canoe Paddles

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Essential Gear

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Personal Flotation Devices (PFD ) MANDATORY(PFDs) - MANDATORY

Typical for KayakersTypical for Kayakers

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Essential Water Gear - SHOESEssential Water Gear SHOES

• Closed-toed water shoes that won’t fall off –Closed toed water shoes that won t fall off no crocs, flip flops, or bare feet !!

• Good:

• Bad:• Bad:

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Essential Basic/Comfort GearEssential Basic/Comfort Gear

• Water & Small Cooler • Booney or Sun HatWater & Small Cooler Booney or Sun Hat

• Sunscreen/Bug Spray • Rope for Rigging

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Essential Water GearEssential Water Gear

• Pump, Sponge, Bailer • First Aid KitPump, Sponge, Bailer First Aid Kit

For S

it-in

oats

Onl

y

• Rope Throw Bag • Whistle

F Bo

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Essential Gear – Advanced (f Cl III hit t )(for Class III+ whitewater)

• Helmet – Class III + • Float Bag (in boat)Helmet Class III Float Bag (in boat)

• Z drag / Unpin Kit • Paddle Float

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Protecting and Securing GearSecuring Gear

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Protecting GearProtecting Gear

• Use dry bags to store clothes and other geary g g

Our outfitter provides one per

boat(for overnighters

only)

• Use dry boxes / bags for electronics

only)

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Securing GearSecuring Gear

• All gear must be securely stowed in case your boat g y yflips or capsizes– Tie gear to boat with short ropes to avoid entanglement

Use kayak deck hold downs– Use kayak deck hold-downs

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Getting Into and Out of a BoatOut of a Boat

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Getting Into and Out of a BoatGetting Into and Out of a Boat

• Maintain three points of contact and keep your p p ycenter of gravity low

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Keep a Good PosturePosture

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Keep a Good PostureKeep a Good Posture

• Adjust the seat straps and foot pegs to sit up j p p g pstraight – no reclining and knees barely bent

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Keep a Good PostureKeep a Good Posture

• NOT LIKE THIS !!

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B i dBasic and Advanced

Maneuvering

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Turning Left and Right: NormalTurning Left and Right: Normal

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Turning Left and Right: Emergency (Quick) MovesEmergency (Quick) Moves

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Moving SidewaysMoving Sideways

• Sculling draw – to move sidewaysg y

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Stay “In the Box” to A id Ti iAvoid Tipping

• Keep a strong shoulder position with elbows low and p g pin front of your body – this maintains balance and helps prevent fatigue / sore muscles

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Braces to Avoid TippingBraces to Avoid Tipping

• Low braces for canoe and kayaky

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Take Rapids Head-On !!!Take Rapids Head On !!!

• Do not get yourself pointed sideways going over g y p y g grapids, you will likely capsize or get dumped !!

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Broaching an ObstacleBroaching an Obstacle

• If you are going to hit an obstacle, lean into it to keep y g g , pyour leading edge out of water (avoid swamping)

• Avoid getting any part of your body between the boat d b t land an obstacle

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Rapids ClassificationsClassifications

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Rapid ClassificationsRapid Classifications

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Rapid Classifications - VideoRapid Classifications Video

• https://youtu.be/VS048K Cy7Qp y _ y Q

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R di th RiReading the River (MOST IMPORTANT (

PART)

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Reading the River: Ri A tRiver Anatomy

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Reading the River: H i LiHorizon Lines

• Horizon lines indicate a shelf or waterfall – beware !

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• Horizon lines indicate a shelf or waterfall – beware !

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• Don’t get stuck on a shelf or waterfall – beware !g

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Reading the River: EddysReading the River: Eddys

• Eddy currents are a backward flow of water caused yby an obstacle – eddy lines can flip your boat !

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Reading the River: EddysReading the River: Eddys

• Some eddy currents can be used to “park” your boat y p yfor a short rest

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Reading the River: H l d H d liHoles and Hydraulics

• Holes and hydraulics form after a drop, you will often y p, ysee large “foam piles” of whitewater flowing back upstream toward you

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• Hole at Big Nasty on Cheat Riverg y

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• Holes and hydraulics can be dangerous !!y g

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• Kayak straight over a hole !!y g

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Reading the River: St di WStanding Waves

• Pillows and standing wavesg

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Reading the River: St iStrainers

• Avoid strainers

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Reading the River: D t V OKDownstream Vs are OK

• A V pointing away from you is usually a good linep g y y y g

Dark, deep water in

middle of V

Whitewater forms lines

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of V

Reading the River: D t V OKDownstream Vs are OK

Downstream V

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Reading the River: U t V BADUpstream Vs are BAD

• A V pointing towards you indicates a rockp g y

UpstreamUpstream V

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Reading the River: U t V BADUpstream Vs are BAD

• A V pointing towards you indicates a rockp g y

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Reading the River: V d L d SVs and Ledge Summary

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Reading the River: Pi ki Y Att k LiPicking Your Attack Line

• Stick to middle of river and don’t get trapped against g pp gshore or strainers, give yourself room to move !

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S i dSo you capsized yourself, now y ,

what?

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Proper Floating TechniqueProper Floating Technique

• Keep upstream from the boat (it will knock you over)p p ( y )• Hold on to your paddle!• Float on back with feet up to avoid foot entrapment

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Shallow Water Capsize Rescue(Sit i id b t l )(Sit – inside boats only)

• Technique 1: Shallow dumpq p

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Shallow Water Capsize Rescue(Sit i id b t l )(Sit – inside boats only)

• Technique 2: Capistrano Flipq p p

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Deep Water Capsize Rescue(Sit i id b t l )(Sit – inside boats only)

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BSA Safety AfloatBSA Safety Afloat and Safe Swim

Defense TrainingDefense Training Overview

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BSA Safety Afloat Training –Q i k O iQuick Overview

• Quit Pouring Susan Lemonade Because She Prefers Q gEating Donuts !!– Q – Qualified supervision (trained adult 21+ years old, one adult

supervisor for every ten Scouts)supervisor for every ten Scouts)– P – Personal health review (BSA Health form)– S – Swimmer test (non-swimmers must ride with Adult swimmer)

L Lif j k t (PFD )– L – Life jackets (PFDs)– B – Buddy system (stay near your buddy, periodic buddy checks)– S – Skills proficiency (BSA requires 3 hours of training)– P – Planning (preparation, float plan, weather/water checks)– E – Equipment (boats in good working order, safety gear)– D – Discipline (follow the rules no horseplay/battleshipping)D Discipline (follow the rules, no horseplay/battleshipping)

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BSA Safe Swim Defense –Q i k O iQuick Overview

• Quiet Please Some Ladies Like A Big Diamond!!Q g– Q – Qualified supervision (trained adult 21+ years old, one adult

supervisor for every ten Scouts)– P – Personal health review (BSA Health form)P Personal health review (BSA Health form)– S – Safe swim area (marked off by swimmer category)– L – Lookout tower or position (to see all swimmers)

L Lif d ( lifi d d lt 10 S t )– L – Lifeguard (one qualified adult per 10 Scouts)– A – Ability groups (non-swimmer – up to 5 ft, beginner 5 – 6 ½ ft,

swimmer 6 ½ ft to 12 ft (clear) or 8 ft (turbid/dark))– B – Buddy system (stay near your buddy, periodic buddy checks)– D – Discipline (follow the rules, no horseplay)

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M d t B ddiMandatory Buddies and Boating gFormation

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Mandatory Leader / Caboose B ti F tiBoating Formation

• Everyone must have a buddy boat, stay close !!y y , y• Cannot pass the leader or fall behind the caboose !!• Regroup after major obstacles for a head count

Leader

Caboose

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Safety Signalsy g

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Safety SignalsSafety Signals

• Boaters use paddle signals to let approaching boats p g pp gknow of the hazards or the best path to take from a safe distanceAt j id l d b t ill d t i d t k• At major rapids, a lead boat will determine and take the best attack line

• The lead boat then turns around and “parks” out ofThe lead boat then turns around and parks out of current to signal following boats

• All boats regroup after major obstacles for a head t d b dd h kcount and buddy check

• Directional signals always point to safety, never to a hazard !!hazard !!

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Safety SignalsSafety Signals

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River Etiquette (good manners !!)(good manners !!)

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River EtiquetteRiver Etiquette

• Yield right of way to a larger, less mobile boatg y g ,• When running down river, try to pick a path that will

not interfere with another paddler in front of you• Do not tailgate – leave plenty of space between

boats when going through a rapid• Respect other fishermen! Pass quietly and give them• Respect other fishermen! Pass quietly and give them

room so you don’t get stuck in their line• Don’t pass in a rapid, allow faster boats to pass you• Keep noise levels reasonable – no shouting/music• Do not crowd newbie paddlers !!

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Questions ??

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Documents

T1028 River Boating Safety Course.ppt - Troop 1028 files/T1028 River Boating Safety Course.pdfRiver Boating Safety - Kayaking / Canoeing /Kayaking / Canoeing / Whitewater Merit Badges