{"id":"ex_jsalieekx3sd131o","organisation":"329f0z5j","title":"River Canoe Day Trip Leading","description":"River Canoe Trip Leading

\nCourse Overview\nThe River Canoe Day Trip Leading course is designed to introduce the minimum
\nskills necessary for an individual to lead a day trip on moving water. This course is appropriate for all types of tandem and/or solo canoes. It can be taught tandem, solo, or both.\nIf you’re a student who would like a resource to prepare for this course, ACA is pleased to provide a free online paddling safety course, here. A certificate of completion is included!\n
Course Prerequisites\n

Acknowledgment of personal compliance with the ACA Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC)
Agree to comply with the ACA Code of Conduct
No prior paddling experience or training is required to participate in this course

\n
Course Duration\nThe course duration should be adjusted to best fit the needs and goals of the participants. Two days (16 hours) or more.\n
Course Location / Accessible Venues\nEasy moving water up to and including class I-II rapids\nA rapid class includes rapids at the lower and upper ends of the difficulty range, designated “-“ and “+” respectively.\n
Course Size\n5 Participants : 1 Instructor; with an additional qualified assistant, the ratio can be 10 : 2.\nFor additional details, see SEIC Policy Manual Chapter 7.\n
Instructor\nThis course may be offered by:\n

Level 4: Whitewater Canoeing (or higher) Instructor
Level 3: River Canoeing Instructors with the River Canoe Trip Leading Endorsement

\nAll Instructors must operate within the venue corresponding to their level of certification.\n
Succeeding Courses\n

River Canoe Day Trip Leading Assessment
Level 3: River Canoeing
Level 4: Whitewater Canoeing
Level 5: Advanced Whitewater Canoeing

\nThe following is a general summary of course content for the River Canoe Day Trip Leading course. The content covered and sequence of instruction should be adjusted to best fit the participant’s needs, class location and time allowance.\n
Introduction, Expectations, and Logistics:\n

Welcome, introductions, paperwork
Student and Instructor course expectations and limitations
Course itinerary and site logistics
Review waiver, assumption of risk, challenge by choice, medical disclosure
About the ACA
Life jacket policy (always wear on water)
Appropriate personal behavior\n
- No alcohol / substance abuse
- Proper etiquette on and off the water
- Respect private property
- Practice Leave No Trace ethics
\n

\n
The Paddling Environment\n

4 W’s: Wind, Waves, Weather, Water
River Classifications

\n
Personal Preparation\n

Personal ability
Swimming ability
Water comfort & confidence
Fitness, conditioning, and warm up
Safe paddle and boat handling
Safety and rescue considerations
Personal equipment (reviewed by Instructor)

\n
Getting Started\n

Warm up and stretching
Personal clothing & equipment
Loading and unloading: racks, trailers: straps, ropes
Knots: figure 8 or bowline, trucker's hitch and 2 half hitches
Canoe carries: overhead and suitcase
Launching / landing from shore or dock
Canoe trim
Posture, rocking and balance
Positions in the canoe (students may select sitting or kneeling stance)
Canoe terminology & nomenclature
Concepts of Paddling
Trip Planning - 6P’s: Prior Proper
Planning Prevents Poor Performance
Group Dynamics
Judgment
Local regulations
River etiquette

\n
Equipment\n

Personal\n
- Lifejacket (PFD)\n
  - Correct type
  - Right size
  - Proper fit
  \n
- Paddle
- Water proof containers
- Appropriate clothing
- Personal items
- Items not to bring
\n

\n
Group\n

First Aid kit
Repair kit
Rescue equipment
Throw ropes
Spare paddles
Shelter
Fire making kit
Water purification
Sanitation equipment

\n
Boat\nBailer, painter, yoke, extra flotation\n

Additional Equipment

\n
Trip Leader Characteristics\n

Skills
\n• Competent canoeist
\n• Good communication skills
\n• Appropriate safety training
\n• Use of good judgment
\n• Total awareness of environment
Qualities
\n• Mature decision maker
\n• Considers group safety over the wants of an individual
\n• Makes safety decisions, including trip cancellation
\n• Applies appropriate discipline
\n• Takes final responsibility
Knowledge\n
- Group organization\n
  - Buddy boats
  - Lead / Sweep Boat
  \n
- Communication systems\n
  - Signals: Whistle, Paddle, Hand
  - Radios
  - Cellular phone
  \n
- Venue
- Emergency procedures
- Proper etiquette on & off the water
- Leave no Trace ethics
\n

\n
Trip Preparation and Planning\n

Leader/participant ratio guidelines\n
- 1:10, with a qualified assistant
- Additional factors may warrant additional leaders (conditions or participant skill level)
\n
Appropriate venue selection
Accurately assessing the group’s skill level
Acquire information on venue
Develop a Float Plan\n
- Driving Directions
- Put-in & Take-out locations
- Schedule with approximate times
- Procedures if trip returns past scheduled time
\n
Roster\n
- Trip Leaders
- Participants
- Contact phone numbers
- Emergency contact numbers
\n
Emergency Contact Information\n
- Designated group contact person
- Local rescue agency
- Appropriate governmental
  \nagency
\n
Contingency plans for:\n
- Weather
- Change in water levels
- Medical problems
- Equipment issues
- Evacuation routes
\n
Documentation\n
- River Permits
- Parking Permits
- Landowner permission
- Waivers, medical disclosures, parental permission
\n
Develop a planning & training schedule (if appropriate)
Determine methods of skill verification:\n
- Canoeing ability
- Swimming ability
\n
Determine:\n
- Trip rules
- Acceptable behavior
- Disciplinary consequences
\n
Discuss personal & group equipment\n
- Obtain: waivers, medical disclosures, parental permission
- Organize transportation & shuttles
\n

\n
Trip Hazards and Prevention of Accidents\nEnvironmental hazards\n

Air temperature
Water temperature
Cold Shock / Hypothermia / Hyperthermia

\n
River Hydrology and dynamics\n

River Features
Flow volume
Gradient/elevation changes
Flow rates and current
Currents
Rocks (upstream and downstream Vs)
Ledges and low head dams (horizon lines)
Pins and entrapment
Strainers/sieves
Bends
Undercut rocks or ice
Dams/flow diversion structures and pipelines

\n
River features\n

Eddies
Waves
Holes and hydraulics
Downstream Vs

\n
Prevention of accidents\n

Proper planning and pre-trip hazard identification
Put-in safety briefing
Constant reassessment of venue conditions
Scouting
Portaging and lining

\n
The Put-in Talk\n

Communication\n
- Review Float Plan
- Signals: Whistle, Paddle and Hand
\n
Group Organization\n
- Paddling Partner
- Buddy Boat
- Lead/Sweep Boats
- Group Equipment
\n
Safety / Emergency\n
- Check Lifejacket(PFD) for size & fit
- Weather & water temperatures
- Swimming in current: defensive & aggressive
- Capsize
- Boat pin
- Etiquette
\n

\n
Review of Paddling Skills (moving water):\nStrokes\nTandem (Bow)\n

Forward
Back
Draw
Bow Draw
Cross Bow Draw
Push Away
Pry
Sweeps: Forward / Reverse

\n
Tandem (Stern)\n

Forward
Back
Draw
Stern Draw
Push Away
Pry
Sweeps: Forward / Reverse
Forward w/Rudder
Forward w/Stern Pry
Forward w/J Stroke

\n
Solo\n

Forward
Back
Draw
Bow Draw
Cross bow draw
Stern Draw
Push Away
Pry
Stern Pry
Sweeps: Forward / Reverse
Forward w/Rudder
Forward w/Stern Pry
Forward w/J Stroke

\n
Maneuvers in course venue\n

Forward in a straight line
Reverse: Stop & reverse reasonably straight backwards
Spin: Pivot the canoe – onside & offside
Abeams: Move sideways without headway
Turn: Turn in arc while underway
Front ferries
Eddy turns
Peel-outs

\n
River Running\n

Strategies in river running
Upstream & downstream Vs
Bends
Use of eddies
How to paddle in current
Scouting (Boat / Shore)
Use of good judgment
Total awareness of environment
Group organization on the river
River Signals / Communication
Emergency Procedures

\n
Safety and Rescue\n

Responsibilities of the group, rescuer, swimmers
Rescue Priorities: people, boat, paddle, gear
Signals: Whistle, Paddle and Hand
Group Management / Communication
Cold Shock, Hypothermia: HELP/HUDDLE, clothing
Hyperthermia: hydration, clothing
Evaluate water confidence and comfort
Rescue Sequence: (RETHROG)
Deep water exits: vaulting and slide, no diving
Controlled capsize
Swimming a boat to shore
How to empty a boat full of water
Canoe over Canoe rescue
Side by Side (or parallel) rescue
Re-entry\n
- Self & Assisted
- Heel Hook
- Rescue Sling
\n
Towing a swimmer/canoe
Bumping a canoe
Swimming in current: defensive & aggressive
Throw rope use
Basic wading
Boat pin (Strong Arm, Rope/Vector)

\n
Conclusion and Wrap Up\n

Group debrief / individual feedback
Course limitations
Importance of First Aid and CPR
Importance of additional instruction, practice, and gaining experience
Importance of appropriate level of safety and rescue training
Life sport / paddling options
Local paddling groups / clubs
Handouts / reference materials
Participation cards
ACA membership benefits and join process

This curriculum is managed by the ACA Canoeing Committee. To connect with the leadership of this committee, please view the SEIC Committee rosters on the ACA website.

See skill course overview here: https://americancanoe.notion.site/River-Canoe-Trip-Leading-Skills-Course-736630281412451f90b20b181335c641?pvs=143

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