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This year has seen a pleasant change from recent years of no rains and low rivers. We had so much water that the Water Safari was postponed twice. This has meant that there have been more opportunities to paddle and access to places too low to navigate. It has also meant that people accustomed to low, slow levels have experienced the power of pushy water. Fortunately no club member has been seriously hurt, but a few have gotten in over their heads - literally and figuratively.
On Sunday, Sept. 12, John Ohrt held a safety seminar in Memorial Park. With the able help of Bill Grimes, Louis Aulbach, and Christy Long, we learned that safety begins at home. This means making sure we understand how to interpret the internet river gauges - what does a given level mean in terms of difficulty; proper clothing and equipment for comfort and safety; a first aid kit; drinking water; and honesty about your capabilities. As Christy said, the idea is to have fun, to challenge ourselves, not to worry whether we will be hurt.
Many accidents occur while unloading boats or when getting on the water, as well as at the end of the trip when people are tired, and in a hurry to head for home. This is a time for extra care. A personal comment: the Club's canoe etiquette is outstanding. People help each other to get into and out of boats as well as helping to carry them, checking to make sure everyone has water with them, etc. This makes for a safe and enjoyable trip.
We discussed avoiding that nastiest of river hazards, the strainer, how to negotiate bends in the river - swiftest current is on the outside, slower water on the inside, and dealing with holes. Another aspect of courtesy is not following too close, but also keeping other boats in sight so no one is left behind. Finally, there was discussion of what to do when (not if) you become a swimmer, or when you're trying to help a swimmer. This was followed by some throw rope practice. We all agreed we should need to practice turning over and rescues while we're on the river, before the inevitable happens.
There are several good books on river safety, including River Rescue by Les Bechtel and Slim Ray. There are also swiftwater rescue classes. What we've been reminded of this year is that we don't have to be paddling raging whitewater to have fun and to be challenged. Along with those challenges comes the responsibility to improve our safety knowledge as well as our boating skills.
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