Troop 947Troop 947

Safety Afloat and Canoeing Safety Afloat and Canoeing TipsTips

““A canoe is more stable than you think, but not more than you can sink.”A canoe is more stable than you think, but not more than you can sink.”- Duncan Lamar, yesterday- Duncan Lamar, yesterday

Safety Afloat BasicsSafety Afloat Basics

9 Points See Safety Afloat 9 Points See Safety Afloat presentationpresentation

Types of PFDsTypes of PFDs

Type I - Offshore LifejacketType I - Offshore Lifejacket This PFD is designed for extended This PFD is designed for extended

survival in rough, open water.survival in rough, open water.

Type II - Near Shore Buoyant Type II - Near Shore Buoyant VestVest

This "classic" PFD for calm inland This "classic" PFD for calm inland water where there is chance of water where there is chance of fast rescue.fast rescue.

Type III - Flotation AidType III - Flotation Aid These life jackets are generally These life jackets are generally

considered the most comfortable, considered the most comfortable, with styles for different boating with styles for different boating activities and sports.activities and sports.

Type IV - Throwable DeviceType IV - Throwable Device These are designed to be thrown These are designed to be thrown

to a person in the water. to a person in the water.

Type V - Special Use DeviceType V - Special Use Device Hybrid vestHybrid vest

Sizing a PFDSizing a PFD

PFDs will be provided by Morgan’sPFDs will be provided by Morgan’s Make sure you look at the label to see Make sure you look at the label to see

if the weight range is appropriate for if the weight range is appropriate for you.you.

Next, try it on, and make sure it is not Next, try it on, and make sure it is not so loose that it rides up or so tight so loose that it rides up or so tight that it restricts your movement.that it restricts your movement.

The PFD should be comfortable, even The PFD should be comfortable, even if it is a little annoying.if it is a little annoying.

PaddlePaddle

Sizing Your PaddleSizing Your Paddle

Two methodsTwo methods1.1. Sit in a chair like the graphic at Sit in a chair like the graphic at

right with the t-handle on the right with the t-handle on the seat, you should be looking at seat, you should be looking at the throat of the paddlethe throat of the paddle

2.2. Stand and place the blade on Stand and place the blade on the ground. For lake canoeing, the ground. For lake canoeing, the t-handle should reach your the t-handle should reach your nose. For river canoeing, a nose. For river canoeing, a slightly shorter paddle is slightly shorter paddle is preferred (to your chin).preferred (to your chin).

Anatomy of a CanoeAnatomy of a Canoe

StrokesStrokes

For all canoistsFor all canoists Forward strokeForward stroke Back strokeBack stroke DrawDraw Forward sweepForward sweep Reverse sweepReverse sweep

Stern onlyStern only J-strokeJ-stroke

River Hazards – NaturalRiver Hazards – Natural

River Hazards - Man River Hazards - Man MadeMade

Other canoeistOther canoeist Submerged car partsSubmerged car parts Floating debrisFloating debris Dams or low water bridgesDams or low water bridges

Essential Gear to packEssential Gear to pack Rope / bungy cordsRope / bungy cords First Aid Kit -- communityFirst Aid Kit -- community Bailing deviceBailing device Food – by patrolFood – by patrol Toilet paperToilet paper Bug screenBug screen Sun screenSun screen Hand sanitizerHand sanitizer KnifeKnife Dry bag (or trash bags double layered to keep Dry bag (or trash bags double layered to keep

stuff dry)stuff dry) Trash bagsTrash bags Water bottles, jug or Camel BackWater bottles, jug or Camel Back Ammo box or other water tight containerAmmo box or other water tight container

Appropriate ClothingAppropriate Clothing

Swim suitSwim suit Close toed (leaky) shoesClose toed (leaky) shoes T-shirtT-shirt Light-colored long sleeve shirt (in Light-colored long sleeve shirt (in

case of sunburn)case of sunburn) HatHat Sunglasses (cheap with Croakie or Sunglasses (cheap with Croakie or

string)string) Make sure they are things you don’t Make sure they are things you don’t

care if they get lost or mucked upcare if they get lost or mucked up

How to Pack for a Float How to Pack for a Float TripTrip All gear should be tied into or otherwise All gear should be tied into or otherwise

attached to the canoeattached to the canoe The first aid kit should be waterproof and The first aid kit should be waterproof and

accessibleaccessible Your water supply should be out and Your water supply should be out and

accessible at all times – drink lots!!!accessible at all times – drink lots!!! All other gear should be packed in dry bags All other gear should be packed in dry bags

and stowed in the middle of the canoe.and stowed in the middle of the canoe. The bailing cup or device can be free floating The bailing cup or device can be free floating

in the bottom of the canoe.in the bottom of the canoe. Food should be stored in the coolers for all Food should be stored in the coolers for all

refrigerated items with a bungy cord to hold refrigerated items with a bungy cord to hold the lid down. All dry goods should be packed the lid down. All dry goods should be packed to protect against crushing and double or to protect against crushing and double or triple bagged (unless you really like soggy triple bagged (unless you really like soggy sandwiches).sandwiches).

Canoeing EtiquetteCanoeing Etiquette Only remove your PFD when onshore.Only remove your PFD when onshore. The person in the stern steers / The person in the bow The person in the stern steers / The person in the bow

is the motoris the motor Communicate (bow identifies obstacles, stern asks for Communicate (bow identifies obstacles, stern asks for

help and gives direction)help and gives direction) Leave no traceLeave no trace Everyone is out to have funEveryone is out to have fun A paddle is not a sword, nor a quarter-staffA paddle is not a sword, nor a quarter-staff Don’t dig the blade into the ground or river bedDon’t dig the blade into the ground or river bed Don’t drive your canoe through gravel or rocks… get Don’t drive your canoe through gravel or rocks… get

out if you have to and “portage”out if you have to and “portage” Do not pass the lead canoe or fall behind the cabooseDo not pass the lead canoe or fall behind the caboose ALWAYS keep your eyes out for inexperienced ALWAYS keep your eyes out for inexperienced

canoeists who may be in trouble.canoeists who may be in trouble. Never try to perform a rescue yourselves when adults Never try to perform a rescue yourselves when adults

are present and available.are present and available.

Questions?Questions?

HAVE FUN!!!HAVE FUN!!!