Any river can present dangers to paddlers even if there is no real white
water. This is where it is always good to have scouted out the river
beforehand and gotten advice from local experienced paddlers.
Entrapment is the worst thing that can happen to a paddler and
can occur in various ways. If you have capsized and are being swept
downstream, it is critical to adopt the defensive swimming posture. That
simply means to lay on your back with your feet downstream, toes pointed
up if possible. If your foot or any part of your body becomes wedged in
between rocks, the force of the current may keep your body pressed under
the water 먹튀검증업체.
Another factor in capsizing and being swept downstream is the location of
the kayak. Always make sure that you are upstream from the boat so that
you cannot become wedged or crushed between the boat and an obstacle. If
you have to choose to hold onto the boat or the paddle, keep the paddle ?
the boat is much easier to find and retrieve downstream.
Misreading a vertical drop may cause the bow of the boat to become
buried in the bottom of the river. This is especially dangerous if the force of
the water flowing over the paddler’s back prevents him from getting out of
the kayak. Wiggling the body and trying to push with the paddle may work,
but this usually requires help from others.
Strainers are hazards that water can flow through, but the openings are so
small, a boat or boater cannot. Things like fallen trees or places where
debris is caught between rocks need to be avoided completely. Even if the
paddler runs into a strainer above the water line, the force of the water
finding its way through the obstacle can drag the kayak and the paddler
under the surface jamming them into the strainer. This phenomenon is
usually found on the outside of a bend ? that is why the correct course is
just past the inside curve.
There are additional situations that can be dangerous to paddlers, a few of
which will be mentioned in the next chapter. The most important advice to
take from this section is to paddle within your abilities! A beginner in
the correct environment should not be exposed to these situations. This
also points to the necessity of paddling with others, especially experienced
paddlers or instructors, until your paddling skills and ability to read river
conditions improve. Whitewater kayaking is fun and exciting but only if
you can control your kayak and know how to handle the river.
Common River Sense
The first thing to realize is that you cannot successfully kayak if you
are afraid. Fear leads to panic and that is dangerous in an emergency.
Learning how to paddle correctly is the best way to alleviate fear and
practicing within your abilities provides a familiarity with the kayak and
water that provides confidence for learning and experiencing more.
Planning and information about the area in which you choose to
paddle are also invaluable for safety and to have the most fun. This should
be explored beforehand using maps, charts and recently published
guidebooks that show and describe the area in detail including river
gradients, dams or other significant obstructions and access points for
emergency purposes. Talking with local river sport outfitters, conservation
officers or park rangers and other knowledgeable people can fill in details
not available in print or online. Information about river level and flow are
As the trip progresses, it is also a good idea to scout ahead. This can be
done from an eddy when there is adequate visibility or by several group
members beaching the kayaks and walking downstream. If you see
conditions that you would not want to swim based on the assumption that
you may capsize, plan to portage downstream to a suitable put in spot.
Never enter a stretch of water you don’t feel comfortable about.