Pennine’s “Traffic Light” system exists to help members (and anyone else who might be interested) make decisions about going afloat on the Club’s “Home Waters” – but what factors OTHER than water level might shape our decision making?
If you’ve ended up here, we hope you’ve already checked out these other pages…
As with any “presumed risk” activity… we have to live with the possibility that we’ve overlooked something big…
No list is ever going to be exhaustive… but here are a few key considerations:
- Wind Strength & Direction
- Where’s the shelter going to be / not be
- What size waves might be formed?
- Do we have choices: different boats? An alternative route?
- Water depth and flow rate
- Are the banks dangerous because of strong flows under trees?
- Are we likely to be able to stand up to do a self-rescue?
- Water Temperature & Air Temperature
- How long could we cope with being in the water?
- Would we warm up again quickly enough after a swim?
Can we also look at things which might actually be in our favour… and at any other choices we’ve got?
A few other things to consider…
- What options we see – from choice of route and choice of craft to arrangements for working together and options for getting off the water (with or without assistance);
- What strategies we might have available to us based on our experience and expertise – for avoiding problems and for managing incidents.
- What kit and clothing options we’ve got – for staying afloat, for staying warm, for being able to swim if we fall in, for being able to stay warm after a swim, for limiting our risk of entrapment and more.
Want more? Talk to us at the Club and/or check out British Canoeing’s kayaking safety checklist page on the GoPaddling.info site.
Please note: if you’re going to venture onto the Calder & Hebble Canoe Trail, the Canal & River Trust will expect you to have insurance and a license – both of which are included in full “On The Water” membership of British Canoeing.
Want more? Talk to us at the Club and/or check out British Canoeing’s kayaking safety checklist page on the GoPaddling.info site.
