Kayaking Skills & Safety
Skills and safety knowledge are what transform you from a passenger in your kayak into a confident, capable paddler who can handle challenges and help others when needed. While kayaking is relatively safe when approached responsibly, the water environment demands respect and preparation. This section focuses on essential competencies every paddler should develop: self-rescue techniques that work when you’re alone, re-entry methods for deep water situations, navigation skills for unfamiliar waters, and emergency communication planning. You’ll learn appropriate responses to cold water immersion, understand group safety protocols, and discover first aid considerations specific to paddling environments. These aren’t skills you hope to never use… they’re foundational capabilities that build the confidence to paddle more places, in varied conditions, with the security of knowing you can handle unexpected situations. Safety isn’t about fear; it’s about freedom through preparedness.
Navigation Basics: Map and Compass Skills for Paddlers
You’ll want a clear waterproof chart or topo, a baseplate (orienteering) compass and a handy deck/marine compass, plus a pencil and wristwatch, and keep electronics as backups, not sole guides. First orient your map to north, check local declination, then practice...
Self-Rescue in Cold Water: Techniques That Save Lives
If you fall into cold water, stay calm and control your breath—cover your mouth, tilt your head back, force slow pursed‑lip exhales for about a minute—keep your clothes and lifejacket on to float and trap air, get horizontal with short steady kicks toward the nearest...
Practicing Your Roll in the Pool: Indoor Winter Training
You’ll make faster, safer progress in a warm pool where you can repeat hip‑snap drills, try paddle and hand rolls, and get quick coach feedback without cold, waves, or fear, so bring a skirt, PFD, neoprene shorty or vest, booties, towel, spare gloves, noseplug or...
Cold Water Shock: Understanding the First Minute of Immersion
If you fall into cold water you'll get a near‑instant gasp, frantic rapid breathing, and a big spike in heart rate that can make you lose breath control or even trigger a dangerous heart rhythm, so your first move is to keep your airway clear, stay still, force slow,...
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