Moving Water Canoe Safety and Rescue Clinic

This Moving Water Canoe Safety and Rescue Clinic provides the opportunity to practice commonly used moving water river rescue skills. Unlike moving water skill courses that emphasize paddling skills, this module emphasizes moving water safety and rescue skills. It focuses on the fundamental skills, knowledge, and manoeuvres of rescuing paddlers and equipment in moving water situations from a paddlers respective. The material practiced in this clinic comes from the Paddle Canada Moving Water Canoe Program. The intent of this clinic is to provide an opportunity for recreational moving water paddlers to practice rescues. It does not seek to replace the need for Swiftwater Rescue Training (SRT) or similar training.

This course is for all levels of canoeists as well as both tandem and solo canoeists. Instructors must teach within their Paddle Canada Moving Water certifications.

Most safety and rescue techniques incorporate the use of other paddlers and it is essential for all paddlers to travel on the water with others who have been trained in the techniques of assisted rescues as the rescuers.

Please reference the Moving Water Canoe Safety and Rescue Clinic resource document in the “Instructor Services - Instructor Resources - Canoe Program” section when logged into the Paddle Canada Membership Portal.

Prerequisites

Skills Certification

Moving Water Tandem or Solo, any level or permission of Instructor based on proof of prior learning of equivalent skill and knowledge.

Please note that it is up to the participant to prove to the instructor by means of evidence, demonstration, or assessment that experience has led to learning as it cannot be assumed that experience has led to learning.

Minimum Course Length

Up to 8 hours in length.

Class Ratio

1 instructor:6 participants for solo.

1 instructor:8 participants for tandem.

There may be a mix of tandem and solo canoes (either a max of 6 canoes or 8 participants).

Minimum Staff and Certification

One Introduction to Moving Water Instructor.

Environmental Conditions

Class 1-III

Instructor certification depends on river level. For example, offering a clinic on Class II waterways means you need to have Intermediate Moving Water Instructor certification.

Assessment

This is a module with no pass or fail certification given. Participants are encouraged to partake as often as they like. Please reference the Moving Water Canoe Safety and Rescue Clinic resource document in the “Instructor Services - Instructor Resources - Canoe Program” section when logged into the Paddle Canada Membership Portal.

Learning Outcomes

Participants should feel comfortable with the canoe safety and rescue at the level they are at.

Reference this manual under Risk Management for the appropriate information. Additional information can be found within the Moving Water Canoe Safety and Rescue Clinic resource document in the “Instructor Services - Instructor Resources - Canoe Program” on the Paddle Canada website within one’s profile.

Manoeuvres

• Positioning of Safety Boat
• Capsizing
• Paddle and Equipment Recovery
• Boat Recovery
• Emptying a Canoe
• Swimmer Recovery

Skills and Knowledge

• Stable Rescue Stance, Position, and Canoes
• Communication
• River Signals
• Swimmers Position
• Safety and Rescue Positioning of People and Equipment
• Self-rescue
• Shore Safety and Rescues
• Canoe Rescues
• Simple Rescue Systems
• Advanced Rescue Systems (resources and courses)
• International River Classification
• River Hazards
• Anatomy of a Rescue
• Rescue Priorities
• Progression of Rescues
• Environment
• Proper Clothing
• River Safety and Rescue Equipment (basic)
• Outfitting a Canoe for Safety and Rescue
• Understanding Limitations