Personally
Have all necessary gear, your head, your game etc.
Variables
High water (flood stage), cold, strainers, brush, fallen trees, standing trees, caves, undercut rocks,foot-entrapment, man-made trash such as cars and misc. equipment, seives, dams, unrunnable rapids, hydraulics, low bridges
If a boat collides with some of these obstacles it may become pinned, broached, or wrap around the object and possibly trap the boater inside of the boat
If a boat collides with some of these obstacles it may become pinned, broached, or wrap around the object and possibly trap the boater inside of the boat
Group Rescue Skills
There are many things that might fit in this category. Carry a rope (hopefully easily accessable), Z-drag(know what it is, how to set it up), be knowledgable in first aid techniques and CPR, hypothermia
If the situation is really bad be able to step to the plate:
-buddy breathe (if you are unable to release a trapped boat by yourself pass air mouth to mouth until more help arrives )
-A paddler is responsible for the whereabouts and safety of the kayaker behind them, no matter how fast the guy in front is paddling. This is the only system that works well on any run and is much more suitable than the "buddy system" when traveling fast.
If the situation is really bad be able to step to the plate:
-buddy breathe (if you are unable to release a trapped boat by yourself pass air mouth to mouth until more help arrives )
-A paddler is responsible for the whereabouts and safety of the kayaker behind them, no matter how fast the guy in front is paddling. This is the only system that works well on any run and is much more suitable than the "buddy system" when traveling fast.
Team
-Don't boat rivers/creeks beyond the teams limit
-Try and keep the group close together but not so close that small eddies clog above drops forcing a blind run by the unfortunate late-comer.
-Large groups should consider splitting up
-Carefully select your primary paddling team, teams with diverse personalities often go far since there will be many skills being brought to the plate. (id vs. ego)
-Try and keep the group close together but not so close that small eddies clog above drops forcing a blind run by the unfortunate late-comer.
-Large groups should consider splitting up
-Carefully select your primary paddling team, teams with diverse personalities often go far since there will be many skills being brought to the plate. (id vs. ego)
Self Rescue
You should be able to help yourself out of most situations you may encounter. Often times it will be solely up to you to rescue yourself because of your location in relation to the rest of the group. You may be in the middle of a drop where no one can stop or you may be above the group w/o anyone even noticing you problem.
Equipment
-Outfit your boat so that a quick exit is easily executed
-Flotation bags can help displace water increasing odds of a boat recovery
-Make sure you can exit your boat legs/knees first so that your body doesn't have to move over the back of the kayak while removing legs
-Choose pads wisely, probably forearm/elbow
-Use proper footwear
-Watch for loose clothing, straps, etc. which can snag
-Flotation bags can help displace water increasing odds of a boat recovery
-Make sure you can exit your boat legs/knees first so that your body doesn't have to move over the back of the kayak while removing legs
-Choose pads wisely, probably forearm/elbow
-Use proper footwear
-Watch for loose clothing, straps, etc. which can snag
Leave Word
Let someone know where you are going or where you are before heading into the gorge. If you are gone for longer than expected you may receive needed help. This is especially important for trips longer than 1 day.
Avoid Trash
Trash refers to the rapids that are not visually impressive, may look deceptively easy, may require a move, and if missed results in an encounter with something bad. Too many boaters have lost their lives on "Trash". Often times these rapids are in the run-out or perhaps "boogy" section after the gorge/larger drops.
Vision Quests
This is a difficult subject since many people/sites say it is discouraged but many people have their greatest experiences doing this. If the experience is what the sole purpose is than we can't ignore their stories. If you want to look more into this subject go to Jason Rackley's website and look in the "stories" archive for an article called: "The Dangers of Boating with Others" He has some valid points in the article.
link to Rackley's site: www.kayaking.peak.org
link to Rackley's site: www.kayaking.peak.org
Technology
Keep up with the latest. Boat designs, paddles, rescue devices, techniques, etc. will continue to evolve enabling us to do what we do now more safely or perhaps enable us to navigate stuff which is not currently navigable.
you say "yes", they say "not today"
You should plan your own safety when you decide to run a drop others aren't into.You are 'asking' for their help, so make it easy for them to help you. If they decline - it is their right and you might want to reconsider. The risk you take involves the safety and inconvenience of the whole group, not just your own. An injured padder is very heavy and makes for slow-going across steep terrain.
Rescue Squad
Don't rely on a rescue squad unless you REALLY need it. Besides the fact they they are slow and often poorly trained, it may threaten future access the the river. Carry basic first aid or know how to use sticks and duct tape to do just about anything. . .
Trespassing
Use good judgement. Try and contact the landlord or lease holder. Be quite and respectful. Be especially quiet during the hunting season, not fun when you pass under a guys tree-stand who's been there since before the sun came up, you ruin his day, he's mad..
Quick Skill Development
If you are a quick learner on the river and find yourself paddling difficult rapids in a short amount of time take into consideration that some skills may not be fully developed. Some people are really good at following others lines but may not know how to read water that well. People fitting in this category should take caution when supplying directions through rapids since some moves look deceivingly easy but could have catastrophic results.
Ego
No point in wasting much time on this topic since the first safety point mentioned on this page is being personally prepared. Ego will eventually catch up with you if you are going to run the steeps. You are nothing but a ball of energy on this earth for a short period of time. As you know the water is nothing but a large amount of energy in motion. You do the math. If you respect its energy you will have experiences that may span a long time.