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Canoe Safety Test
PURPOSE OF AWARD
This award has two purposes. Firstly, to provide a paddler with the necessary
safety awareness which will enable them to ensure the safety of themselves
and others. Secondly, to provide a paddler with rescue skills which can be
used to help themselves and/or others in difficulty.
VALIDITY
This award is valid for 3 years from the date of the test. A current award
is a pre-requisite for the BCU Level 1 Coach and Level 2 Coach awards at the
time of assessment .
STRUCTURE
The syllabus consists of three training modules and an assessment. It is expected
that the training modules will take approximately 4 hours to complete and the
assessment will take approximately 1 1/2 hours with a single candidate. All
four parts may be taken in a single day or separately over a period of 6 months.
In the
latter case, a suitably qualified trainer must sign the candidate’s logbook
for each module. The training modules are mandatory and must be completed before
the assessment. However, the training modules do not need to be repeated for
renewal of an award that is still current.
TRAINER/ASSESSOR
A Canoe Lifeguard Trainer or a Canoeing Safety Test Assessor can train and
assess up to 8 candidates. A Level 2 Coach with three years experience or a
Level 3 Coach can be appointed as a Canoeing Safety Test Assessor after they
have directed two Canoeing Safety Tests (including each of the training modules
and the assessment) under the supervision of a qualified assessor.
PRE-REQUISITES
Hold the BCU 2 Star Test for the craft the candidate is paddling. Be able to
swim 50m in normal canoeing clothing suitable for the prevailing conditions,
including a buoyancy aid if normally worn. A First Aid certificate is not a
pre-requisite. However, the holding of a First Aid certificate, such as the
BCU Aquatic First Aid, is strongly recommended to all paddlers. Be at least
14 years of age. (Note. The Junior Canoeing Safety Test is
the appropriate award for those under 14 years of age.)
4. MANUAL HANDLING
All Canoeists need to raise their awareness of Manual Handling and that damage
can occur to joints and muscles, particularly when they are moving or lifting
people or any equipment related to the sport of Canoeing.
This could, of course, include a body, especially when performing rescues.
In addition, Risk Assessments of how to prevent harm and injury to paddlers
should be undertaken as a matter of routine.
In Civil Law there is a Duty of Care towards your students and others who paddle.
This includes, loss, harm, damage and injury. Coaches are charged with the
care of paddlers, and as such, Coaches need to identify where there is a risk
of the ‘duty’ being neglected or abused.
The BCU has prepared an information leaflet which gives a brief outline of
procedures to assess and evaluate
Manual Handling operations. In addition, a one day Injury Prevention Course
has been developed which should ensure that information in respect of lifting
and carrying and all Manual Handling issues are being disseminated throughout
the Coaching Service
Venue
Assessments should be conducted on placid water, grade 1 rivers, and sheltered
coastal waters or similar.
Training modules can also be conducted in swimming pools, although it is recommended
that at least some of the training take place in an outdoor environment.
SYLLABUS
This award may be taken in any open cockpit kayak, closed cockpit kayak or
open canoe and the certificate will be endorsed appropriately. Where there
are specific requirements for candidates in open cockpit kayaks, closed cockpit
kayaks or open canoes, this is indicated using the abbreviations OCK, CCK and
CN, respectively.
However, for brevity the syllabus often uses the term’s “canoeist” and “canoeing” generically.
Similarly, references to buoyancy aids can be taken to also include lifejackets.
1. GENERAL THEORY AND SKILLS
This training module covers the following topics:
a. The safety features of canoes/kayaks, buoyancy aids, and other canoeing
clothing and equipment.
b. The hazards that may be encountered on placid water, grade 1 water, and/or
sheltered coastal waters or estuaries.
c. The effects on paddling and paddlers of different weather conditions, e.g.
rain, wind, fog, etc. In particular, the effects on the paddler of sudden immersion
in cold water and/or prolonged exposure to the cold, precautions which will
reduce those effects, and what to do if someone becomes dangerously cold.
d. The use of simple signals for “come to me”, “go left”, “go
right”, “stop”, “go back” and “acknowledge”.
e. How to handle a basic canoeing emergency, including the safety of the rescuer(s)
and how to summon help.
f. The various services and other assistance which could be called on during
an incident.
g. Good lifting techniques. This includes not only emptying boats in deep water,
but also safe handling of craft on land, for example, onto a roof rack. (See
BCU Guidelines)
h. The value of holding a first aid certificate and where one can be obtained.
2. LIFESAVING
This training module covers the following topics:
a. How to coach a swimmer in difficulty to shore. How to perform a safe reaching
rescue, using either a rigid or non-rigid aid. Throwing a buoyant object to
a casualty. Wading to get nearer to a casualty.
b. How to correctly pack a throwline into its bag and then use it to execute
a throwline rescue over a distance of 15m with sufficient accuracy to land
within reach of a casualty.
c. How to coil an unpacked throwline and then use it to execute a throwline
rescue over a distance of 15m with sufficient accuracy to land within reach
of a casualty.
d. How to safely approach a struggling swimmer when paddling. How to effectively
transport a casualty using various techniques such as the bow tow, bow carry,
stern tow and stern carry and the suitability of these techniques in different
situations.
3. CANOE/KAYAK RESCUE SKILLS
This training module covers the following topics:
a. Deep water rescue techniques for dealing with a capsized canoe/kayak, including
returning the casualty to their craft and the suitability of a variety rescue
techniques (‘X’ rescue, ‘H’ rescue, ‘T’ rescue, ‘The
Curl’, etc.) for different situations (solo or assisted, different craft,
different paddlers, etc.).
b. (CCK only) Eskimo rescues, including both paddle presentation and bow presentation.
c. (CN only) Exiting the canoe in deep water, leaving it upright and without
losing contact, and re-entering without assistance.
d. Towing systems and alternative methods of getting a tired canoeist to land
with their craft including an effective release of a towing system in an emergency.
e. How to execute an “all in rescue”.
f. How to rescue a paddler in an upturned CCK in deep water, either as a swimmer
or from another canoe/kayak.
4. ASSESSMENT
The candidate must present themselves suitably equipped for the assessment
and normal canoeing kit should be worn throughout the practical parts of the
assessment.
4.1. Theory
a Answer a selection of questions to show an understanding of the theory covered
by the training modules.
4.2. PRACTICAL
b. Demonstrate a throwline rescue of a struggling swimmer in deep water over
a distance of 10m. There is a time limit of 60 seconds for the throwline to
land within reach of the casualty, but there is no limitto the number of attempts
allowed within that period.
c. (CCK ONLY) Demonstrate an Eskimo rescue, both as a casualty and as a rescuer.
d. Rescue a paddler in an upturned CCK in deep water.
e. Demonstrate a deep-water rescue of a capsized craft, placing the casualty
back in their craft. (OCK only, this may be performed with the assistance of
another paddler of a similar standard.)
f. (OCK, CCK only) Capsize the kayak, retaining all equipment. Swim the upturned
kayak, etc. 50m to shore.
(CN only) Capsize the canoe, retaining all equipment. Paddle the canoe 50m
to shore.
4.3 UNKNOWN INCIDENTS
g. Deal with a simple canoeing incident involving up to two casualties.
Notes for Trainers and Assessors
Modules 1 and 2 are expected to take about 1 hour each. Module 3 is expected
to take about 2 hours. The assessment is expected to take about 90 minutes
with a single candidate. In Module 3, part a, it is expected that the trainee
will be introduced to the difficulties of dealing with a variety of different
craft. The assessment
is intended to ensure that the candidate has understood the training material
and can apply the knowledge and a selection of skills when called upon to do
so. The emphasis is on the candidate’s ability to deal with a variety
of situations by selecting and using suitable, safe techniques, rather than
a rote demonstration of all
possible skills. Ultimately, the examiner is assessing the candidate against
two questions: “are they safety aware?” and “could they apply
their knowledge and skills to save another’s life in a basic water borne
emergency?”
Thus, while maintaining an overall balance, the assessor is encouraged to vary
the actions of the casualties so that there is an element of the unknown throughout
the assessment.
1. THEORY
When the assessment is for a renewal, ensure the questions cover
any areas of theory where current thinking might be different
to the time of the original
assessment. There should be at least two questions drawn from Module 1, “General
Theory and Skills”, and at least one question drawn from the other two
training modules.
As a rough guide, these are expected to take about 10 minutes per candidate.
2. PRACTICAL
b. If the candidate uses their own throwline, it must conform to current guidelines.
c. For the Eskimo rescue, the participants should not agree beforehand whether
a paddle or bow presentation will be used.
d. The casualty may or may not be conscious.
e. Although the candidate is expected to paddle their usual craft, there is
no reason why the craft being rescued needs to be similar to the candidate’s.
3. UNKNOWN INCIDENTS
The key word is simple. Casualties may be unconscious, injured/unwell (e.g.
suffering from hypothermia) or in difficulty (e.g. a struggling swimmer or
capsized canoeist). Optionally, there can be an additional participant (with
canoeing skills up to 2 Star) who will assist as directed by the candidate.
Candidates are expected to
use first aid techniques where appropriate. However, a candidate should not
be failed for poor first aid techniques, although their shortcomings should
be pointed out and they should be strongly encouraged to get a first aid certificate.
Each candidate must be in charge and demonstrate correct decisions throughout
the assessment. Candidates must not have prior knowledge of the incident. Thus,
if the same incident is used for each candidate, they must be assessed separately.
The candidate is required to deal with the previously unknown situation in
an appropriate manner.
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