WELCOME TO PADDLE ON

SAFETY

“I HAVE NEVER PULLED A BODY FROM THE BOTTOM OF A RIVER OR LAKE WITH A LIFEJACKET ON” – QUOTED FROM A MEMBER OF THE CANADIAN COAST GUARD

DROWNING IS THE 3RD LEADING CAUSE OF UNINTENTIONAL DEATH FOR CANADIANS UNDER 60. APPROXIMATELY 25% OF THEM ARE PADDLING INCIDENTS AND MANY OF THESE HAPPEN AS YOU’RE GETTING IN AND OUT OF YOUR BOAT(SLIPPING AND FALLING) PLEASE WEAR YOUR LIFE JACKET AT ALL TIMES!!!

I GET TOLD “I KNOW HOW TO SWIM,” REPEATEDLY AND I KNOW SOMETIMES IT IS HOT AND UNCOMFORTABLE. WEAR THEM ANYWAY. THERE ARE MANY WAYS YOU CAN BE KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS, A CANOE FLIPPING ON TOP OF YOU, A JETSKI OR BOAT ACCIDENT OR WHAT IF YOU HAD A STROKE OR SEIZURE. YOU SIMPLY NEVER KNOW AND THE WATER IN THE GTA IS MURKY, ONCE YOU GO UNDER, YOU’RE SIMPLY NOT COMING UP.

WE HAVE A VARIETY OF SELF-INFLATING LIFEJACKETS YOU CAN UPGRADE TO WHICH ARE MORE COMFORTABLE AND BREATHABLE.

ESSENTIAL TIPS TO STAY SAFE:

1). ALWAYS WEAR A TRANSPORT CANADA, CANADIAN COAST GUARD OR FISHERIES AND OCEANS CANADA APPROVED LIFE JACKET – There is no rational argument for kayaking, canoeing, or SUPing on the open water without wearing a lifejacket or Personal Floatation Device (PFD). Don’t run the risk of drowning. Put one on before you enter your craft and keep it on until you’re back onshore.

2). BEWARE OF COLD WATER SHOCK – A sudden and unexpected immersion into water that’s 15 degrees celsius or less can result in cold-water shock in about one minute. Cold-water shock is often cited as the most common cause of death from immersion in cold water.

3). KNOW YOUR PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS – Regardless of your level of canoeing/kayaking experience, be mindful of the state of your physical fitness. Paddling, whether on a calm lake and fast-moving water is strenuous. Don’t put yourself in a difficult situation overestimating your skills, experience and strength.

4). WATCH THE WEATHER – No matter what time of year it is or where you are, the weather can change quickly with little warning. Check the forecast not only in the morning but moments before you are heading out and if you’re out for a day or tripping, keep an eye out and have a feel for what may be coming to adapt.

5). BE PREPARED FOR EMERGENCIES – Have a first aid kit with you. Even better would be to get First Aid and CPR certified training. You’ll learn how to help others in distress, whether it’s due to drowning, hypothermia, a wound, a heart attack or a stroke. You just never know when you’ll use it.