Connecticut Water Trails Association
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Connecticut Water Trails Association |
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Connecticut Water Trails Program
Paddling Basics
This basic list is designed to be used as a tool to help you determine
is you are ready and properly equipped to paddle a certain water trail.
Even though this list may help you in making your decision, you might
still run into trouble because of some unforeseen or unaccounted for
item. Remember this list is not guaranteed to make your paddle safer –
it’s designed to help you look closer at your current paddling skill
level and experience. No one but you can make to decision to go paddle
but you.
If the marked items outnumber the unchecked items, then you might have the basic skills needed to paddle the water trails safely. However, if the unchecked items outnumber the checked one’s, then you should reconsider your trip.
The Water Trail
A Known
Water Trail
___Have you paddled this water trail before?
___Have you paddled this water trail before at this water level?
___How did you do paddling the water trail at this water level?
___Is this water level apt to make the water trail harder or easier than
your previous experiences?
___How long has it been since you paddled this water trail?
___Is it possible or likely that the water trail has changed since then?
___When was the last time you paddled something of similar difficulty?
___How did you do with that other water trail?
___How cold is the water?
___How remote is this water trail? Is it along a busy road, a short walk
out, a long walk out, isolated canyon, remote wilderness site, etc.?
Unknown Water Trail
___Have you paddled this water trail before?
___Can you scout this water trail from the boat or shore?
___Can you adequately see the water trail ahead of you?
___Are you confident in your skills, equipment and fitness level that
you can paddle this water trail?
___How long is the water trail?
___Are there any specific hazards on this water trail that you or the
group must be able to avoid?
___Do you have the skills to avoid them?
___Does your paddling group have the skills to avoid them?
___What are the consequences of not avoiding them -none, minor,
moderate, major, catastrophic?
___What’s the rescue potential on the water trail - can adequate rescues
be set up from boats or from shore at sites that specifically need
rescue backup?
___What are the rescue resources of the group if you got into trouble on
this particular water trail?
___How many people in your group have adequate knowledge/training in
water trail rescue?
The Paddler
___What is your current level of physical fitness?
___How does that level compare to your fitness level for previous water
trails of this difficulty?
___How much paddling have you been doing lately?
___How comfortable do you feel about being on the water trail with your
current paddling skills?
The Group
___Who are you paddling with?
___How many people?
___What is their current level of physical fitness?
___How does that level compare to their fitness level for previous water
trails of this difficulty?
___How much experience do they have with this water trail or with water
trails of similar difficulty?
___How much paddling have they doing lately?
___How comfortable do they feel about being on the water trail and with
their current paddling skills?
___How much rescue experience is there in the group?
___How much first aid experience is there in the group?
___What are the implications for the other members in the group if you
are having difficulty?
___Will they be able to rescue or assist you?
___Will their working to assist or rescue you, place them at risk -
minor, moderate, major, catastrophic?
The Equipment
___Do you have all the necessary paddling equipment-boat, float bags,
skirt, helmet, PFD, rescue gear, first aid kit, food, water?
___Is the clothing you are planning to wear appropriate for the water
temperature and weather conditions?
Final Total
Now add up your total checked and unchecked items. This should help you evaluate your ability to safely manage this water trails.
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