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Safety Rules
and Precautions for Kayaking
Safety
Rules and Precautions for Kayaking
No sport is virtually risk-free.
So it is important to remember that safety
comes first. Kayaking is no doubt a fun activity but it could be disastrous,
if
the basic safety precautions are ignored.
General safety rules
General safety rules apply to every level of paddlers.
•Since kayaking is an outdoor water sport, wearing a well-fitted wetsuit, life
jacket and helmet is imperative. Similarly, skipping on a pair of UV-Protected
sunglasses and waterproof Sun Block is not recommended.
•Remember that kayaking requires continuous paddling. You can exhaust yourself
very soon, if you are not physically fit. Regular exercising will keep you in
shape for a long lasting kayaking trip.
•Thoroughly inspect your equipments before commencing on a kayaking trip. A
small tear or a minor dent should not be ignored and should be repaired at the
earliest.
•Carry a waterproof bag that would help you to store necessities like a fully
charged mobile phone, LED torch, First-Aid kit, whistle, compass, drinking
water, food etc.
•Learn basic swimming strokes. Despite the fact that you will be wearing a life
jacket, it is important to feel comfortable in the water.
•Follow the local rules and regulations of the kayaking areas.
•Understand the International Distress Signals to help you during emergency
situations.
Safety Precautions for beginners
In addition to the above safety rules, inexperienced paddlers have to be extra
careful and take some more precautionary steps to avoid any kind of danger or
injury while kayaking.
•You should know how to launch your kayak and some basic paddling strokes.
Kayaking trip is a success only when correct techniques are employed.
•It is safe to begin kayaking with a group of 3-4 experienced paddlers. This
will help you to learn a lot about kayaking - like reading the water, kayaking
techniques etc. Planning a kayaking adventure all alone can be disastrous as you
may be unable to handle any contingency.
•Plan the first few kayaking tours in calm and slow moving water to get the
knack of paddling continuously.
Safety Precautions for Whitewater River Paddlers
Generally, river paddlers have some previous paddling experience. Nevertheless,
river kayaking can be fatal.
•Rivers have been classified according to their difficulty based on their speed
and waves. Study the river well, before you embark on a kayaking trip. River
conditions change seasonally. Thus, it is obligatory to know the course, speed
and the river difficulty to avert any possible danger.
•Given the continuous flow of the river with its bumps and swells, a kayak can
capsize and keep you submerged for a few seconds. With regular practice, you can
learn to regain your upright position.
In spite of the safety precautions, if anything does go wrong, it is important
not to panic.
Be calm, think with a clear mind,
and patiently execute your rescue plan.
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