Pennine’s “Traffic Light” system exists to help members (and anyone else who might be interested) make decisions about going afloat on the Club’s “Home Waters” – but what factors OTHER than water level might shape our decision making?
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If you’ve ended up here, we hope you’ve already checked out these other pages…
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As with any “presumed risk” activity… we have to live with the possibility that we’ve overlooked something big…
No list is ever going to be exhaustive… but here are a few key considerations:
- Wind Strength & Direction
- Where’s the shelter going to be / not be
- What size waves might be formed?
- Do we have choices: different boats? An alternative route?
- Water depth and flow rate
- Are the banks dangerous because of strong flows under trees?
- Are we likely to be able to stand up to do a self-rescue?
- Water Temperature & Air Temperature
- How long could we cope with being in the water?
- Would we warm up again quickly enough after a swim?
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Can we also look at things which might actually be in our favour… and at any other choices we’ve got?
A few other things to consider…
- What options we see – from choice of route and choice of craft to arrangements for working together and options for getting off the water (with or without assistance);
- What strategies we might have available to us based on our experience and expertise – for avoiding problems and for managing incidents.
- What kit and clothing options we’ve got – for staying afloat, for staying warm, for being able to swim if we fall in, for being able to stay warm after a swim, for limiting our risk of entrapment and more.
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Want more? Talk to us at the Club and/or check out British Canoeing’s kayaking safety checklist page on the GoPaddling.info site.
Please note: if you’re going to venture onto the Calder & Hebble Canoe Trail, the Canal & River Trust will expect you to have insurance and a license – both of which are included in full “On The Water” membership of British Canoeing.
Want more? Talk to us at the Club and/or check out British Canoeing’s kayaking safety checklist page on the GoPaddling.info site.