Get Organized: Perfect Planners
Get Organized Perfect Planners I have a slight addiction to planners. I love the feel of an old school paper planner. Although I do utilize Gmail to run our entire family calendar, I really...
Tips for Canoe and Kayak Safety
Canoeing can be a wonderfully relaxing and gratifying pastime – a leisurely float down a gently flowing stream can renew your mind and spirit. Unfortunately, because it is a water sport, canoeing can also present specific dangers that require knowledge and skill, and because of this canoeing should be taken seriously with proper precautions to ensure a safe outing. We hope this Tips for Canoe and Kayak Safety post inspires you.
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Tips for Canoe and Kayak Safety
It is an excellent idea to take a short course on canoe safety from a certified instructor before taking to the water. A safety course can give a beginner knowledge and confidence, and it can remind more experienced individuals of the dangers that may have been diminished in importance in their memories over years of participating in the activity.
Tips for canoe and kayak safety begins with preparation starting with the very basics, and applying common sense before ever getting into a canoe. First, make certain that proper safety equipment is available and functioning for every person on the trip. This means that there is a life jacket and helmet for each occupant of the canoe, as well as an extra oar or paddle in case one becomes lost.
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Every person in the canoe should know how to swim, at least moderately well – any person who cannot swim has no business on the water. Select a waterway that fits your skills and experience, and become familiar with its pitfalls and currents before your trip. Always go canoeing with at least two people, and let someone know what course you are taking before embarking and when you expect to return.
5 Essentials When Planning for Your Next Water Sport Vacation
It is imperative in canoeing to keep a low center of gravity to remain centered in the canoe and maintain balance at all times. Always make slow and deliberate movements, think before you react, and never, never attempt to stand or rise. Keep your eyes on the water ahead in the distance, and if you should see trouble get to shore as quickly as it is safe to do so.
Check weather predictions before canoeing and stay away from the water in foul weather. Even small streams and rivers have the capability for devastating flash floods in severe weather. The weather where you may be canoeing can be partly cloudy, but five miles away there is a storm that can send a deadly wall of water your way quickly.
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A cell phone and a small first aid kit in a water-proof bag tied to a canoe beam can be a lifesaver in an emergency. In the event your canoe should tip, make certain everyone knows to use the canoe as a central gathering point to account for your group, and to use the canoe as a flotation device to get to shore. We hope this Tips for Canoe and Kayak Safety post inspires you. Happy kayaking or canoeing!
