Your Weekly Guide to Life in Midcoast Maine

TALK OF THE TOWN: Lincoln County • Waldo County • Knox County OUT AND ABOUT• MOVIE REVIEWS

Safety first

By Kelly Michaud

Once you have a canoe you may think that the vessel and a paddle are all you need for your excursion. Think again. While some people may know the basics of canoeing, it is important to keep in mind that you need to plan for anything when you’re dealing with water. Knowing how to paddle is crucial but so is knowing how to stay safe.

Walter Abbott of Orono has worked as an instructor and trainer for the American Canoe Association for more than 20 years and is a registered Maine Guide. In addition to being an avid canoe racer and paddler, he has taught white water rescue and canoe rescue at The University of Maine, Orono for 25 years.

“There are certain dangers you face when you’re dealing with water, and you want to be able to minimize the risk by maximizing your preparation,” Abbott said.

According to Abbott, the following are essential steps to take to be safe and intelligent when paddling.

• Elect a leader for the trip. The leader should be someone who is familiar with the area where you are going. If you’re paddling on the ocean, make sure the person is familiar with the dangers involved with ocean paddling and is a strong swimmer. If you’re on a river or lake, again, make sure the leader knows the dangers associated with that particular type of water. Route selection is important — for example, you shouldn’t paddle down the middle of a lake or river. Instead, stay closer to the shoreline and if you’re paddling on a river, make sure the people with you know how to read the danger signs of a river such as the horizon line (don’t go over big drops) and hydraulics (so you don’t get sucked in).

• Know the medical background of all the participants in the group. The leader and other participants need to be prepared for anything that could come up. Know if someone is allergic to bee stings, etc., and have the proper equipment to handle the situation.

• Have the proper safety equipment for the group. Make sure life jackets fit properly so that they won’t come off. Have rescue bags throw bags attached inside the canoe (attach with a carabiner so they will be secure) and have knowledge of water rescue (self rescue and boat-assisted rescue). Have a first aid kit, boat repair equipment and a spare paddle on hand. Make sure all your safety gear is properly sealed and attached to the inside of the canoe. It’s also a good idea for at least the leader to be familiar with river signals.

• It’s a good idea to have a minimum of three crafts on the water when you’re taking an extended canoeing trip. And when you take a trip, regardless of how long you’ll be gone, always let someone know where you’re going, your route and your expected time of arrival at home. That way if you don’t show up where you’re supposed to, you’ll have a greater chance of being found.

• Dress properly. Dress for variable conditions depending on the time of year. If you’re on the ocean, even if it’s the summer, it’s going to be cold. In early spring wear a dry suit or wet suit because the colder the water, the higher the risk of hypothermia. Body drops a minimum of 32 times faster in water than in air. Wear a fleece or other material that’ll hold heat when wet and bring a windbreaker. And always, always wear a life jacket.

• Make sure you know the impact on the environment. No trace camping —make sure you go to an authorized campsite and don’t travel over private property without permission.

• Always bring food and water with you. Bring a filter or purifying chemicals if you run out. Do not drink unfiltered or untreated water.
• It’s a good idea to have a cell phone with you. Keep the phone on your body and not strapped inside the boat.

• Be alert to weather conditions and know the proper procedures in a lightning storm. Water can go from a safe to an unsafe environment in a very short period of time so be alert to conditions.

• Bring a compass and a map with you (provided you know how to read a compass and orient it to a map). If you get lost you’ll be able to figure out where you are, providing you know the direction of where you are heading. It couldn’t hurt to being a global positioning system too, if you have one available to you.

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GET OUTSIDE!: Explore by canoe •Safety tips • Places to paddle • Equipment rentals • Pitch your tent • Take a hike TALK OF THE TOWN: Lincoln County • Waldo County • Knox County OUT AND ABOUT• MOVIE REVIEWS Safety first By Kelly Michaud Once you have a canoe you may think that the vessel and a paddle are all you need for your excursion. Think again. While some people may know the basics of canoeing, it is important to keep in mind that you need to plan for anything when you’re dealing with water. Knowing how to paddle is crucial but so is knowing how to stay safe. Walter Abbott of Orono has worked as an instructor and trainer for the American Canoe Association for more than 20 years and is a registered Maine Guide. In addition to being an avid canoe racer and paddler, he has taught white water rescue and canoe rescue at The University of Maine, Orono for 25 years. “There are certain dangers you face when you’re dealing with water, and you want to be able to minimize the risk by maximizing your preparation,” Abbott said. According to Abbott, the following are essential steps to take to be safe and intelligent when paddling. • Elect a leader for the trip. The leader should be someone who is familiar with the area where you are going. If you’re paddling on the ocean, make sure the person is familiar with the dangers involved with ocean paddling and is a strong swimmer. If you’re on a river or lake, again, make sure the leader knows the dangers associated with that particular type of water. Route selection is important — for example, you shouldn’t paddle down the middle of a lake or river. Instead, stay closer to the shoreline and if you’re paddling on a river, make sure the people with you know how to read the danger signs of a river such as the horizon line (don’t go over big drops) and hydraulics (so you don’t get sucked in). • Know the medical background of all the participants in the group. The leader and other participants need to be prepared for anything that could come up. Know if someone is allergic to bee stings, etc., and have the proper equipment to handle the situation. • Have the proper safety equipment for the group. Make sure life jackets fit properly so that they won’t come off. Have rescue bags throw bags attached inside the canoe (attach with a carabiner so they will be secure) and have knowledge of water rescue (self rescue and boat-assisted rescue). Have a first aid kit, boat repair equipment and a spare paddle on hand. Make sure all your safety gear is properly sealed and attached to the inside of the canoe. It’s also a good idea for at least the leader to be familiar with river signals. • It’s a good idea to have a minimum of three crafts on the water when you’re taking an extended canoeing trip. And when you take a trip, regardless of how long you’ll be gone, always let someone know where you’re going, your route and your expected time of arrival at home. That way if you don’t show up where you’re supposed to, you’ll have a greater chance of being found. • Dress properly. Dress for variable conditions depending on the time of year. If you’re on the ocean, even if it’s the summer, it’s going to be cold. In early spring wear a dry suit or wet suit because the colder the water, the higher the risk of hypothermia. Body drops a minimum of 32 times faster in water than in air. Wear a fleece or other material that’ll hold heat when wet and bring a windbreaker. And always, always wear a life jacket. • Make sure you know the impact on the environment. No trace camping —make sure you go to an authorized campsite and don’t travel over private property without permission. • Always bring food and water with you. Bring a filter or purifying chemicals if you run out. Do not drink unfiltered or untreated water. • It’s a good idea to have a cell phone with you. Keep the phone on your body and not strapped inside the boat. • Be alert to weather conditions and know the proper procedures in a lightning storm. Water can go from a safe to an unsafe environment in a very short period of time so be alert to conditions. • Bring a compass and a map with you (provided you know how to read a compass and orient it to a map). If you get lost you’ll be able to figure out where you are, providing you know the direction of where you are heading. It couldn’t hurt to being a global positioning system too, if you have one available to you.
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