Safety Tips for Whitewater Kayakers: Part III

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https://www.explore.com/1186972/safety-for-whitewater-kayakers-part-iii/

Travel Guides Outdoor Adventures Water Adventures

By Megan Taylor MorrisonUpdated: Feb. 2, 2023 3:11 pm EST



In the third whitewater safety video from Canoe & Kayak, Jim Coffey and Mike McKay, Coffey covers the basics of swimming, self-rescue and boat-rescue.

Coffey recommends swift water entry as the best swimming technique. It requires landing with hands, face, chest and knees on the surface of the water at the same time. As you swim, you conserve energy by keeping your body on a 45-degree angle with the current. To exit in an eddy, change your body angle to 90 degrees in relation to the eddy line. Enter the eddy with your upstream arm first.

When performing self-rescue, you should retrieve as much gear as is possible and safe. Ideally, you should grab the paddle. 

When it comes to getting someone else’s boat to shore, there are several methods you can use. To make the other boat lighter, you can use the boat-over boat dump. Then you can either tow the boat or “plow” the boat—in other words, push it to shore with your own boat.  



Via Canoe & Kayak 

Dave Pennells

By Dave Pennells

Dave Pennells, MS, has contributed his expertise as a career consultant and training specialist across various fields for over 15 years. At City University of Seattle, he offers personal career counseling and conducts workshops focused on practical job search techniques, resume creation, and interview skills. With a Master of Science in Counseling, Pennells specializes in career consulting, conducting career assessments, guiding career transitions, and providing outplacement services. Her professional experience spans multiple sectors, including banking, retail, airlines, non-profit organizations, and the aerospace industry. Additionally, since 2001, he has been actively involved with the Career Development Association of Australia.