Kayak and open canoe risk assessment
Adventure
21
RISK ASSESSMENT – kayak/canoe
Specific areas
Pool sessions
Inland flat water
Inland moving water
Pool sessions
Risk involved – paddling in close confinement to others
Hazards arising from risk – collision with other paddlers, banging head or other body parts on poolside or other boats and possible entrapment.
Effects of hazards – cuts, bruising, and in extreme cases broken bones or drowning.
Risk management – qualified experienced person/instructor to be on hand.
Inland flat water
Risk involved – paddling on expanses of open water
Hazards arising from risk – collision with other paddlers, capsizing kayak/canoe, submersion in cold water. Possible entrapment.
Effects of hazard – cuts, bruising and in extreme cases broken bones. Possibility of hypothermia. In extreme cases drowning
Risk management – qualified experienced person/instructor to be on hand. Adequate clothing and safety equipment to be worn during session.
Inland moving water
Risk involved – paddling on stretches of moving water sometimes on white water sections involving the negotiation of stoppers and standing waves
Hazards arising from risk – loosing boat and being washed down stream. Entrapment in or out of boat (in extreme cases under water). Submersion in cold water.
Effects of hazard – minor bruising, in extreme cases broken bones. Possible hypothermia and in extreme cases drowning.
Risk management – qualified experienced person/instructor for the grade of water. Adequate clothing and safety equipment to be worn during session and spare equipment carried.