Milton Canoe and Camera Club Safety Tips
General
Clothing
Dress for the conditions, and if you're paddling in cold water or at a photo walk in cold conditions, be conservative with all your decisions.
Food and Water
Exercises and Stretching
As with any activity, one of the best things you can do to stay healthy on/off the water or walking/hiking is to take a few minutes to do some simple upper and lower body stretches before and after the activity.
First Aid
Identify any/all health considerations and ensure that medication will be available depending on the criticality of the health concern. (e.g.’s Epi Pen for bee stings or sugar snack for diabetics)
Photo Walk Safety
Weather will always have a big bearing on the activity. Being aware of what you may need on the trip is paramount to personal safety and your equipment. For example, if photographing under wet conditions be sure to remember to pack protection for your camera. If you are at the beach protect your camera gear against high-winds that can blow sand grains inside your camera and lenses. You can select a single lens and stick with it or if you need to change lenses do so inside your camera bag or in a shielded area.
Always be aware of your surroundings. Photographers tend to look through the lens while moving and this can be a tripping hazard. Watch for vehicles if your outing is near traffic.
Keep your distance when taking pictures of wildlife. Using a zoom lens is recommended for the safety of the photographer and the animals.
Carry an air horn for deterring animal attacks or making your where-abouts known.
Paddling Trip Planning and Dealing with Weather
Weather will always have a big bearing on whether or not you should go canoeing, and depending on where you're paddling, you'll have different weather hazards to deal with. For large bodies of water and on the ocean, the biggest weather concerns are wind and waves.
Avoiding getting caught out in nasty, windy, and wavy conditions is pretty easy. If you're going to be heading out into a big body of water, check the weather report beforehand and stay close to shore. Better yet, avoid the open water and stay in calm, protected areas.
Another real weather hazard is thunderstorms. If you hear thunder, you know that there's lightning around. When you're in the water, you're the highest point for quite a distance in any direction, which makes you a perfect lightning rod. When there's a thunderstorm nearby, the best thing to do is just get out of the water and wait for it to pass.
Paddling Safety
Although flat water canoeing is generally a very safe activity, if things do end up taking a turn for the worst, being out on the water means that situations can become very serious very quickly. And so, it's worth taking a moment to look at how to deal with some of these situations.
Avoiding dangerous situations is surprisingly easy. First and foremost, booze and paddling do not mix. Unfortunately, alcohol is responsible for too many water-related accidents.
Always wear a PFD whenever you're on the water, and paddling PFDs are the best because they're the most comfortable to wear while you're paddling.
Select an appropriate paddling spot. This means choosing one that is sheltered from wind and waves, has easily reached access spots, and has minimal motor boat traffic.
Paddling Mandatory Gear
Boat Traffic
Although lakes are great places for canoes, there's a good chance that you'll be sharing them with power boats, sailboats, and jet skis. If that's the case, you're best staying close to the shore and out of the way. The biggest hazard will likely be the wave kicked up by power boats, and the best way to deal with these waves is to point your canoe directly into them.
River Currents
Rivers are some of the best places to paddle. They're usually very sheltered from the wind and waves. They'll often provide shaded areas to escape from the sun on a hot day, and they're usually very accessible. Sometimes they even offer a little current to help push you downstream. Although current can be a welcome addition to a day trip, it also presents some new hazards that are usually very avoidable, but you have to understand them.
First off, it's important that you appreciate how much power moving water really has. Even a gentle current can easily overpower a full-grown adult. So, if you plan to paddle in a section of river, you can't afford to be surprised if the riverbed drops or constricts, and the current picks up. Before going on the water, make sure you know exactly what you're getting into.
Strainers
Although most people tend to fear rocks the most, fallen trees are one of the most dangerous things because they can create something called a strainer when they're stuck in current. They let the water through, but they stop everything else and can trap a canoe or swimmers under the water.
Low Head-Dams
Low-head dams and weirs are other river features that you absolutely must avoid. This is because they can cause reversing currents called hydraulics, which rescue teams often refer to as drowning machines.
River Swimming
A last hazard to be aware of comes into play if you find yourself swimming in current. Although there's nothing wrong with taking a swim in gentle current, you need to appreciate the dangers of a foot entrapment. Riverbeds usually consist of a jumble of rocks and other debris, and if your foot were ever to fall into a crack or depression, the power of the river could push you over and hold you under water.
A simple way to avoid a foot entrapment is to resist the temptation to stand up and walk into shore when you're in current. You're better off to stay in the water and swim yourself right into shore before standing up.
- Always tell someone where you are going and the expected duration of your outing.
- Inexperienced paddlers are recommended to paddle with a buddy.
- Photo walks in more remote or unfamiliar areas are recommended with a buddy.
- Wear sunscreen all year round.
- Follow all posted rules.
Clothing
Dress for the conditions, and if you're paddling in cold water or at a photo walk in cold conditions, be conservative with all your decisions.
- Dress in layers (consider covering all skin areas with clothing)
- Comfortable clothing
- Sunglasses (optional)
- Head cover (hat or helmet)
- Gloves (personal preference)
- Footwear (water shoes, running shoes or hiking boots)
Food and Water
- Be sure to take enough water to stay hydrated for the duration of the outing.
- Energy bar or snack can be stored in a water tight zip lock bag.
Exercises and Stretching
As with any activity, one of the best things you can do to stay healthy on/off the water or walking/hiking is to take a few minutes to do some simple upper and lower body stretches before and after the activity.
First Aid
Identify any/all health considerations and ensure that medication will be available depending on the criticality of the health concern. (e.g.’s Epi Pen for bee stings or sugar snack for diabetics)
Photo Walk Safety
Weather will always have a big bearing on the activity. Being aware of what you may need on the trip is paramount to personal safety and your equipment. For example, if photographing under wet conditions be sure to remember to pack protection for your camera. If you are at the beach protect your camera gear against high-winds that can blow sand grains inside your camera and lenses. You can select a single lens and stick with it or if you need to change lenses do so inside your camera bag or in a shielded area.
Always be aware of your surroundings. Photographers tend to look through the lens while moving and this can be a tripping hazard. Watch for vehicles if your outing is near traffic.
Keep your distance when taking pictures of wildlife. Using a zoom lens is recommended for the safety of the photographer and the animals.
Carry an air horn for deterring animal attacks or making your where-abouts known.
Paddling Trip Planning and Dealing with Weather
Weather will always have a big bearing on whether or not you should go canoeing, and depending on where you're paddling, you'll have different weather hazards to deal with. For large bodies of water and on the ocean, the biggest weather concerns are wind and waves.
Avoiding getting caught out in nasty, windy, and wavy conditions is pretty easy. If you're going to be heading out into a big body of water, check the weather report beforehand and stay close to shore. Better yet, avoid the open water and stay in calm, protected areas.
Another real weather hazard is thunderstorms. If you hear thunder, you know that there's lightning around. When you're in the water, you're the highest point for quite a distance in any direction, which makes you a perfect lightning rod. When there's a thunderstorm nearby, the best thing to do is just get out of the water and wait for it to pass.
Paddling Safety
Although flat water canoeing is generally a very safe activity, if things do end up taking a turn for the worst, being out on the water means that situations can become very serious very quickly. And so, it's worth taking a moment to look at how to deal with some of these situations.
Avoiding dangerous situations is surprisingly easy. First and foremost, booze and paddling do not mix. Unfortunately, alcohol is responsible for too many water-related accidents.
Always wear a PFD whenever you're on the water, and paddling PFDs are the best because they're the most comfortable to wear while you're paddling.
Select an appropriate paddling spot. This means choosing one that is sheltered from wind and waves, has easily reached access spots, and has minimal motor boat traffic.
Paddling Mandatory Gear
- PFD’s
- Whistle
- Bailer
- Extra paddle
Boat Traffic
Although lakes are great places for canoes, there's a good chance that you'll be sharing them with power boats, sailboats, and jet skis. If that's the case, you're best staying close to the shore and out of the way. The biggest hazard will likely be the wave kicked up by power boats, and the best way to deal with these waves is to point your canoe directly into them.
River Currents
Rivers are some of the best places to paddle. They're usually very sheltered from the wind and waves. They'll often provide shaded areas to escape from the sun on a hot day, and they're usually very accessible. Sometimes they even offer a little current to help push you downstream. Although current can be a welcome addition to a day trip, it also presents some new hazards that are usually very avoidable, but you have to understand them.
First off, it's important that you appreciate how much power moving water really has. Even a gentle current can easily overpower a full-grown adult. So, if you plan to paddle in a section of river, you can't afford to be surprised if the riverbed drops or constricts, and the current picks up. Before going on the water, make sure you know exactly what you're getting into.
Strainers
Although most people tend to fear rocks the most, fallen trees are one of the most dangerous things because they can create something called a strainer when they're stuck in current. They let the water through, but they stop everything else and can trap a canoe or swimmers under the water.
Low Head-Dams
Low-head dams and weirs are other river features that you absolutely must avoid. This is because they can cause reversing currents called hydraulics, which rescue teams often refer to as drowning machines.
River Swimming
A last hazard to be aware of comes into play if you find yourself swimming in current. Although there's nothing wrong with taking a swim in gentle current, you need to appreciate the dangers of a foot entrapment. Riverbeds usually consist of a jumble of rocks and other debris, and if your foot were ever to fall into a crack or depression, the power of the river could push you over and hold you under water.
A simple way to avoid a foot entrapment is to resist the temptation to stand up and walk into shore when you're in current. You're better off to stay in the water and swim yourself right into shore before standing up.
