Safety First

Wherever you launch your boat you are likely to need permission and/or a permit. Membership of the British Canoe Union includes permits for many inland waterways and they have volunteer access officers who can advise on access to local waters. Subject to local bylaws, it is generally OK to launch off a beach, but slipways may be privately owned. It is always best to avoid shipping lanes and ports.

Water is graded:

Waters and events worldwide can be found at http://www.playak.com.

Staying Afloat

There is no law saying that lifejackets must be worn for private boating but not wearing a life jacket is just plain stupid. For reasonable swimmers, a buoyancy aid is generally the favoured alternative. For all BCU events, a buoyancy aid or lifejacket must be worn.  It is extremely dangerous to wear the wrong size.  Please see our size chart.

Lifejacket - These will turn you onto your back if unconscious and hold you afloat well out of the water whilst you wait to be rescued.

Swimming in life jackets is difficult and they are generally a little more cumbersome. They are highly recommended for babies and small children. For heavy seas an inflatable life jacket is available. These can have either automatic or manual (pull-cord) inflation and provide a minimum of 150N (CE EN396) floatation when inflated.  Some models give 275N (CE EN399). Automatic jackets can also be inflated manually and both have an Oral Tube for topping up.  Inflatable jackets are not recommended for inshore and inland family boating activities they require annual servicing and must be rearmed each time they are used.

This is the same lifejacket before and after inflation.  The tough cover has Velcro fastenings and is forced open by the inflating bag.  All inflated jackets are highly visible no matter what colour the outer cover.

 Buoyancy Aid ? These will not save your life if you are unconscious. They will help you stay afloat whilst you sort out your capsized boat or swim to safety. In Europe buoyancy aids must be manufactured to CE EN 393, be marked accordingly and provide 50N of floatation. We offer buoyancy aids from Baltic as a jacket or floatation clothing. In addition we have buoyancy aids for pets so no one has to be left behind!

 Staying Healthy

If boating in rough water, a helmet should be worn. Scout waters in advance to note hazards and be aware of winds, tide times and the weather forecast. Never go boating alone. Ensure there is shore cover or other boats to hand. The BCU recommend a minimum of three boats for expeditions and this is a requirement when navigating through tunnels. At night and through tunnels carry a waterproof torch and a whistle attached by a lanyard.

River water, ponds and lakes carry a danger of Weils Disease (Leptospirosis). The disease is carried and spread by animal urine, particularly rats, and enters the body via a cut or by being ingested.  It produces flue-like symptoms within ten days and can be fatal. Always wash after exposure to high risk fresh water and ask for a blood test from your doctor if symptoms occur.

Avoiding Injury

Although canoes are designed to be carried by one person, lifting injuries can still occur. Take care when lifting, keep a strait back and seek help picking up the canoe if possible.  A trolley is a definite asset it carrying a long way.

For kayaking in rapidly moving water or playing in the surf a helmet is a very sensible addition.

Gloves should be worn and will protect against rope-burn, blisters, and grazing against rocks.  Depending on the type of gloves chosen they can also keep hands warm.  Cold hands are a hazard as the ability to feel and grip can be quickly lost.

	Junior Helmet
	Adult Helmet
	Kevlar Reinforced Gloves are available in Adult and Child sizes
	Stadium Seat converts most bench type seats to give back support.
	Canoe/Kayak Trolley

Training

The pedal boat is perhaps the easiest and most relaxing introduction to family boating. Anyone who can pedal a bicycle can work a pedal boat with just a few seconds instruction. Punts have a few challenges but are also quite easy in shallow water.  Serious boating starts with the open canoe. The British Canoe Union offers training on a star system. It is well worth gaining at least a One Star award on one of their many coaching schemes. The Two Star Award involves getting wet learning how to handle capsizing. Lots of fun! There are then coaching qualification and it would be a good idea to gain an elementary coaching qualification if you are planning on taking friends onto the water.

Other Safety Equipment

A throw line is an efficient way of providing and getting help. Click here for a guidance sheet.	Useful for keeping the family together, the towline is used to connect people rather than boats together