Paddlers in small watercrafts such as canoes, kayaks, and rafts don’t consider themselves ‘boaters’ so they don’t follow the same safety measures and vessel operators. They think they are safe without taking any of the safety measures. Many of them are not skilled as well so they don’t know how to operate their small craft safely. They have a misconception that as their craft is small so if any accident will happen, it will also be small.
According to the statistics, the smaller crafts have more risks of encountering grave accidents in comparison to large watercraft because large crafts follow more safety measures than small watercraft. It is seen that paddlers in small crafts such as canoes, kayaks, and rafts often go out without any proper life-saving devices such as life-saving jackets, lifebuoy, etc and this is the main reason leading to death and drowning.
Therefore, it doesn’t matter how small their watercraft is, they should take safety measures to save their lives from drowning.
What measures should paddlers take to minimize the risk of losing a life?
Paddlers in small crafts such as canoes, kayaks, and rafts should take safety measures to minimize the risk of drowning and losing their lives. Here we have provided some of the measures that paddlers should apply before going to paddle.
Check the weather condition
Paddlers should check the weather conditions before going paddling. Beware of the offshore winds which can make you’re returning to the shore difficult. You should avoid going on windy and rainy days as the risk is higher on these days. And most importantly you should be prepared for sudden weather changes.
Use life jackets
Lifejackets are one of the most prior safety measures that paddlers should always take with them before going for paddling. Further, you should also take a lifebuoy and other safety stuff to help your companions if an accident happens.
Don’t go alone for paddling
It would be best if you don’t travel alone. Traveling with someone will increase the chances of being rescued if something mishappens. So paddlers should always take a friend, companion, or group of paddlers with you to enhance the chances of safety.
Don’t overload the watercraft
You should take care of the size of your watercraft according to your size and belongings. One of the main causes of drowning includes overloading the craft.
Do practice before going to actual paddling
If you are a beginner, you should practice a few times in the direction of someone who already knows paddling well. You should practice in open waters and nearshore before going to deep rivers and oceans for actual paddling.
Follow techniques and plans
You should make a plan and share it with someone like where are you going, how many people are going with you, when are you expected to return and follow the same plan.
Another thing you should keep in mind is to follow the techniques and instructions which you have practiced so that it will help you a lot and you can return safely.
The Final Words
The leading cause of death for paddlers in small crafts such as canoes, kayaks, and rafts is not taking safety measures which lead them to drown. Therefore, we recommend you follow the safety measures mentioned above to minimize the risk of drowning. By following the instructions you can rescue yourself as well as your companions if an accident happens and you can return safely from paddling.
