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1 |
Alcohol and
boats don’t mix! |
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2 |
File a trip
itinerary, including route, number in the party, expected return time and
destination contact information with a friend or family member. That
person should notify authorities if you're not heard from by the
agreed-upon time. |
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3 |
Pack
everything in waterproof bags. |
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4 |
Experienced
paddlers should also wear personal flotation devices (life vests). |
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5 |
For your
first voyage, plan a short trip and leave your kids at home until you’re
comfortable in a boat. |
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6 |
Unlike
backpackers, paddlers can live relatively luxuriously in the woods without
having to worry too much about weight. Take advantage of your craft’s
extra capacity with an occasional special feast, a few more comfort items
such as collapsible camp chairs, and roomier tents. |
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7 |
Be
forewarned: The more gear you carry, the longer it’ll take you to get
under way in the morning. |
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8 |
Attach a 10
to 15 foot rope (called a ”painter”) to the bow (that’d be the front) of
your boat. It’ll give you a leash to guide it through the water when
you’re not sitting in it. |
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9 |
When
paddling rivers or other waterways, avoid larger boats and ships. If you
see one coming, get out of the way - move out of the channel and closer to
shore if possible, and take their wake head-on. |
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10 |
If you’re
navigating across a lake to a destination you can’t see, aim off. That
means intentionally navigating off to one side of your goal, then paddle
along the shore until you find it. You’ll find your destination faster and
you’ll keep from becoming totally lost. |
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11 |
Pack away
your own litter and others’, if you find any. Leave the river and
shoreline cleaner than you found them. |
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12 |
When you
load a canoe, distribute weight with the front and back paddler in mind. A
boat handles better when it's loaded so that it rides level. |
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13 |
Most
everything – including a canoe – will be easier to recover when you swamp
if you don’t attach any gear to the boat. Tie only that equipment you
can’t afford to lose (like a camera) to your boat, and put everything else
in waterproof dry bags. |
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14 |
If you’re
sea kayaking, learn safe rescue skills – such as eskimo rolls or assisted
rolls – in the event you tip over. Both are easy to learn, and keep you
from swimming long distances to shore. |
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15 |
Respect both
the river and your own paddling abilities. |
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16 |
Keep in mind
that your food will be exposed to bright sunlight for however long you’re
on the river (even if it’s in a cooler). You may have difficulties keeping
food fresh under such conditions. Eat the most perishable food first. Use
block ice rather than cubes whenever possible. |
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17 |
Dishes
should be washed on land, at least 150 feet from shore. |
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18 |
Get your
drinking water from shore - upstream from areas frequented by humans and
animals. |
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19 |
Purify all
drinking water. Heat it to a rolling boil, treat it with chemicals such as
iodine or pump it through a filter/purifier. |
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20 |
Bury human
waste and toilet paper in a six-inch deep hole. Fill it and cover the spot
with natural ground cover to hide the spot. |
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21 |
Never leave
food in your tent - or you’ll be invaded by varmints. Cook meals and hang
food bags at least 100 feet away from camp. |