Arkansas Canoe Club Forums

Not a whole lot of paddling adventures to post about during this very, very dry summer, so I thought I'd add a little topic for discussion about doing a "safety check" of our gear.

A somewhat unrelated topic about a very sad bicycle accident got me thinking about this. In paddling, we have safety gear to help keep us safe. BUT (and this is a really, really big BUT)...that gear can only keep us safe if we make sure we use it properly and by using it properly, I mean making sure it fits.

Helmets and Life Jackets both need to fit snugly to do their job! I know we've all seen fellow paddlers from time to time with vests riding up around the ears, or with helmets that slide way back exposing the forehead. I want to encourage everyone to take some time during this dry summer to get out your gear and make sure you've got a good fit, and then make sure you have that snug fit whenever you are on the water. If anyone's not sure how to get their helmet to stay secure, ask questions on the board, take your gear to a chapter meeting or to Rockport or some other gathering of paddlers and ask for advice, or even one of our great outfitters around the state to ask for help!

I know a whole bunch of paddlers were working hard all weekend at a swiftwater rescue clinic at Rockport/Camp Couchdale. I'm sure they will tell you one of the top lessons is safety starts with keeping yourself safe...and that starts with proper gear.

Anyway - the helmet fit was particularly on my mind...but do others have any other safety check suggestions or thoughts?

Good points!

In just the last month we've had two reported cases of helmets not just sliding back, but coming off completely on the lower Little Missouri run. In one case it was a whitewater helmet and the owner said he just didn't have the chin strap tight enough, in the other case it was a bicycle helmet. I think a lot of folks agree a bicyle helmet is better than not wearing a helmet at all, but helmets designed for whitewater are more likely to stay on your head. The bicycle helmets typically have great impact protection for falls onto a surface, but they are not necessarily designed to stay on your head in a hydraulic, so even if it fits right it might not be there when you need it most.

I've also got a PFD that I've been resisting retiring because I like it better than any currently available model, but the tatters are increasing so maybe it is time to give it up... (it came very close to failing the ranger's "safety inspection" for the March Grand Canyon trip.)

Agreed.. I spent a good 20 min messing with my helmet this weekend.

Make sure those jackets are tight!