I. Title Whitewater Kayak Intermediate Class I II. Goal To learn the basic river rescue involved in whitewater kayaking Note: This is just an introduction to safe practices and should not be used in place of an actual swift water rescue class III. Objectives From this lesson, students will be able to: 1. Have exposure to knowledge about basic rescue gear used in whitewater kayaking 2. Have exposure to rescue philosophy and logistics 3. Have exposure to the principles behind a tag or snag line 4. Understand principles behind wading in whitewater 5. Exposure to techniques in mechanical advantage 6. Practice proper LNT ethics 7. Demonstrate how to properly throw a rope 8. Have fun IV. Audience identified 1. Age: 17 and up 2. Who: GT students, faculty, Staff, alumni and their guests 3. Numbers: Ratio= 1 Staff to 4 participants, excluding staff (Minimum 2 Staff) 4. Experience level: Paddlers who have successfully passed Beginner Class progression or equivalent experience WITH permission of ADOR/ORC and TL V. Duration Classroom prep = 30 minutes, Classroom Session = 1.5 hours, Trip Prep = 1hour, Time in the field = 8 hours max, Transportation time = up to 5 hours, Post trip = 1 hour VI. Location Pre-trip Class: CRC Classroom, meet at ORGT Trip Locations are not disclosed on this website; instead they are on the ORGT Wilderness Outpost Computer at S:\Outdoor Recreation\Files\Course Descriptions\Updated Policy and Curriculum project 1. How will you get there? CRC Vehicle (Preferred) Self drive with carpool NO GT insurance coverage in private vehicles Should travel in caravan as a group Know vehicle info and have phone numbers in each vehicle 2. Any specific safety concerns? Weather River access / permits / private property Parking If there is a fee please retain receipt for reimbursement Dirt roads Strangers / other users at site 1
VII. Content & Methods Classroom 1. Personal Introductions and Name Game a. Welcome everyone b. Ask a useful short question What do you hope to get our of the class? Paddling experience? Etc? c. Remember to cycle back so that everyone begins to bond by knowing each others names d. Double check class attendance with sign-up. If folks aren t registered make arrangements for this to occur prior to trip 2. Introduce Class and ORGT a. Advertise other classes and trip b. ORGT / WW Kayaking progression: Participant ->Instructor->TL (keep it REALLY simple) c. Rules: i. Inherently dangerous Accept risks of the trip ii. No mind-benders (alcohol or drugs) prior to outing or on outing. No smoking due to fire risk and annoyance iii. Because of complex logistics be on time iv. Weather: 1) Meeting morning of to decide 2) Be prepared for it 3. Tell participants about the opportunity they will have to disclose pertinent medical history at the end of class session if TL is present; if TL is not present they let them know they will be given the TL s contact info and should feel free to contact with any questions or concerns. Say The reason you should tell the TL about this pertinent past medical history is not to get medical clearance or advise to go, that happens between you and your doctor. The reason is: 1) to help us in the case we need to make or change plans that day 2) to help us help you get your medication if you need it 3) to help us take better care of you and the group 4. Rescue Gear a. Throw rope b. River knives c. First aid kits d. Whistles e. Tow systems f. Pin kit g. Breakdown paddle h. Space blanket i. Fire starter j. Flashlight k. Folding saw 3. Rescue Logistics a. ACA Rescue priorities b. Incident command system c. Simple/fast first d. Don t give up until help arrives or you are in danger by helping 2
e. Evacuation is long and difficult 4. Basic Rescue Techniques a. Tag line b. Snag line c. Wading d. Mechanical advantage 5. Rope throwing 6. Personal gear description and explanation 7. Trip day logistics 8. Food and Hydration 9. General notes about being in the field 10. Handouts 11. Say: It is important for you to disclose pertinent medical history with the Trip Leader because we make many decisions throughout the trip, and, knowing this information may help us take better care of you and of the group. If you have questions about your past medical history, and whether you should go or not, we recommend that you contact your doctor and give them a thorough description of the intensity of the course as we have disclosed here and get their permission to go on the trip. Most of our classes are very physically demanding, so the decision should be made between you and your doctor. Contact the Trip Leader if you have more questions about the contents of the course, the physical demands of the trip, or to disclose any pertinent medical information that will help us take better care of the you and the group. 12. WRITE TRIP LEADER S CONTACT INFORMATION OF BOARD AND ANNOUCE TO ALL PARTICIPANTS Before Leaving ORGT Field 1. TL should have a private meeting with each participant following ORGTs Medical Information Gathering Policy. If the TL met with participants at pre-trip meeting, they need to still meet w/them the day of the trip asking has anything changed since our last meeting, any medications today or new injuries that you are concerned about. This meeting is confidential. 2. Say sincerely is inherently dangerous; we need you to know that everything you do today is completely voluntary. If you feel uncomfortable with what you are doing, please notify the Trip Leader or Instructor, and they will do whatever they can to take you out of that situation. ORGT operates under the challenge by choice philosophy which means that you can stop anytime and you challenge yourself using your own guidelines. If you want to stop, give us the word, and we ll give you our support. 3. Photo-copy emergency contacts 4. Check waivers and forms 5. Check weather/trail closures 6. Check and load Group gear 7. Check and load Personal gear 8. Name Game 9. Confirm everyone s gear is loaded 10. Get/give contact info from/to drivers 3
River 1. Combat roll 2. High/low brace 3. Peel Out 4. Ferries 5. Draw 6. Stern draw 7. Rope throwing 8. Swimming 9. Balance and boat lean 10. River Reading a. Hazards b. Positive Features Post Trip at ORGT 1. Signing them up for listserv by giving ORC class list with names/emails 2. Paperwork and trip reports 3. Incident reports 4. Return vans VIII. Equipment Gear List Personal - ORGT provided 1. Helmet 2. PFD 3. Kayak (float bags for participants) 4. Paddle 5. Spray skirt Personally provided 1. Swimming clothes 2. Towel 3. River shoes, sandals, booties 4. Lunch 5. Water/sports drink (not soda) 6. Leash for glasses if needed 7. Sunscreen 8. Non cotton clothes preferably 9. Extra clothes Group 1. Rope 2. First Aid Kit 3. Directions 4. Breakdown paddle 4
IX. What is a foul weather alternative? Options: Wait out lightning (Please review ORGT Lightning Policy and Procedure) Cancel Trip Reschedule Trip X. Evaluation and Marketing 1. School Evaluation sent by email from ORGT Admin using surveymonkey.com Encourage them to take it as it helps legitimize ORGT as a valuable program here at GT, also helps us get better at what we do. a. Includes: i. Evaluation of learning objectives from above ii. TL and Instruction Evaluation iii. General evaluation of processes 2. Make a general statement about receiving emails from ORGT regarding other classes, trips, schools, special events and tell them they need to come tell you if they want to opt out, otherwise they can opt out once they receive the first email. XI. Follow up [Go over this section toward the end of your trip] Tell participants to: 1. Attend subcommittee meetings 2. Expect to see the survey monkey evaluation soon and some marketing material for upcoming ORGT events 3. Join list serve 4. Join us for roll schools 5. Join us for next Intermediate Class XII. Reference materials to support your lesson 1. ACA Kayak and Canoe Instructors Manual 2. ORGT whitewater policy 3. www.americancanoe.org 4. www.americanwhitewater.org 5. http://orgt.gatech.edu/whitewtr/whitewtr.html 6. Kayak; A Manual of Technique, by William Neally 7. The Bombproof Roll and Beyond, by Paul Dutky 5