Outdoor Education…Character development through the outdoors

KAYAK Safety

Buoyancy Aid/Personal Floatation Device/Life Jacket

Used to keep people afloat in the water. Is worn over a person’s upper body. Straps need to be tight so that the buoyancy aid is firm on the individual’s body and does not rise above their chin.

Helmet

A plastic helmet is worn to protect the head in a water environment where there maybe hard or sharp objects if a kayak capsizes e.g. on the river where depth is varied and rocks/snags are abundant.

It may sound like a obvious question but many people just put on a helmet because they are told to, not because it saves lives. Just remember, you're going to be wearing a helmet so you might as well do it right.

Barrel Rolling

Barrel Rolling is a skill that requires two people. This skill is usually done by an experienced kayaker. The person performing the rescue paddles up alongside the upside down kayak creating an "=" shape and then leans over and grabs a hold of the groove by the cockpit. This acts like a handle, from which they can lean back and roll the upside down kayaker the right way up.

Person two in this scenario is upside down but still plays an important roll, they must lean forward with their head by their knees, hands should be placed on the bottom of the kayak (which will not be underwater because they are upside down) and tap the bottom of their kayak.

T-Rescue

A 'T' rescue is a skill that requires two people to complete, can save a lot of time and is perfect for beginners.

Person one (the hero!) : Person 1 has the simple job of paddling up to person 2’s kayak creating a "T" shape with the two boats.

Person two (getting rescued) is upside down and should be running their hands from stern to bow on the side of the boat, once they feel person 1’s kayak make contact they can then put both hands on the kayak and pull themselves up right again.

How To- Do a Kayak T-Rescue.mp4

Sweep Roll

The most widely known skill used by all kayakers is the eskimo roll, also known as a C to C roll or Eskimo roll.

How To- Do a Sweep Kayak Roll.mp4

The C to C Kayak Roll for Whitewater Kayakers.mp4

Toes before nose

This is the technique you will be using when floating down a white water river. If there is an object in front of you, this allows you to push off with your legs rather than your head.

Throwbag

A throwbag is a piece of safety equipment used to rescue a person from an overturned kayak. Rope is stored inside the bag and uncoils during flight. The swimmer is then pulled towards the rescuer. Unlike other ropes, a throw rope floats even in bad water conditions.

Rescue Basics

25 Rescue Basics.mp4

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