Canoe and Kayak safety test Award

This award is both useful as an indicator of a level of knowledge and skill appropriate for anyone planning on going boating without an instructor, and is a prerequisite for BCU Coach Award. All candidates must be at least 14 years of age, and hold the BCU 2 star test, or have a 2 star level of ability.

A brief outline of the course is given below, and full course details can be found by clicking here.

General Theory and Planning

Safety features of canoes/kayaks, buoyancy aids, and other canoeing clothing and equipment.
Hazards which may be encountered on placid water (grade 1), and sheltered coastal water and estuaries.
The effects of weather. Immersion in cold water and prolonged exposure, prevention and treatment of hypothermia.
Use of simple signals.
How to handle basic canoeing emergencies, to include basic rescues and how to summon help.
The various services and other assistance which could be called on during and incident.
Good Manuel Handling techniques applied to canoeing situations
The value of first aid qualifications and how to get training.

Bank Based Rescues

How to coach a swimmer in difficulty to the shore. How to perform a safe reaching rescue using an aid.
How to correctly pack a throw line into it's bag and use it to execute a rescue over a distance of 15m with sufficient accuracy to land within reach of the casualty.
How to correctly correctly coil an unpacked throw line and use it to execute a rescue over a distance of 15m with sufficient accuracy to land within reach of the casualty.
How to safely approach a struggling swimmer when paddling. How to effectively transport a casualty using various techniques such as bow tow, bow carry, and be able to apply these techniques appropriately.

Boat Based Rescues (using a wide variety of boats).

Deep water rescue techniques for dealing with upturned canoe/kayak, and returning the casualty to their craft.
Eskimo rescues (kayak only) Leaving and re-entering your canoe without losing contact with it, in deep water and without assistance.
Towing systems and methods of returning a tired paddler to the shore.
How to execute an "all in rescue".
How to rescue a paddler from and upturned CCK from either the water or your boat.

Scenarios

The emphasis here is on gaining an understanding and some experience of how to carry out simple rescues in an efficient safe and practical way.

Assessment

There is no longer an assessment of this course, but a certificate is available, and participants will be given guidance as to how they can reinforce and extend their learning.

Brockle Bank Ground, Torver, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8BS UK Tel. (44) 015394 49003 Mobile 07967380734

Email: info.@.jointadventures.co.uk