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Earning a Welcome
to enjoy their sport canoeists need to be welcome

Be friendly and polite to local residents
Drive slowly with care and consideration
Park sensibly without causing any obstruction
Be as quiet as possible
Unload kit tidily and take all litter home
Get changed out of public view
Get permission before going onto private property
Avoid wildlife disturbance and environmental damage
Be considerate to other water users
Avoid being an intrusion on local life
Support local businesses if you can
Say "Thank You" for any help you receive
Leave no trace of your visit

Follow the Country Code (see below)

Enjoy the countryside and respect its life and work
Leave livestock, crops & machinery alone

Guard against all risk of fire Take your litter home
Fasten all Gates Help to keep all water clean
Keep your dogs under close control Protect wildlife, plants and trees
Keep to public paths across farmland
Take special care on country roads
Use gates and stiles to cross fences, hedges & walls Make no unnecessary noise
these are some good ways for canoeists to earn a welcome in the countryside


BCU LEVEL 1 COACH COURSE APRIL 2001
Stevenage Unit now has a Qualified BCU Level 1 Coach. Course organised by Southern Area (ASO)and Kent Canoe Services.
  Canoe Safety Test (a pre-requisite for the Canoe coaching Course)
Purpose of AwardThis 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.

ValidityThis 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 (Supervisor) and Level 2 Coach (Instructor) awards.

StructureThe 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 log book 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 which is still current.

Trainer/AssessorA Canoe Lifeguard Trainer or a Canoeing Safety Test Assessor can train and assess up to 8 candidates. A Level 2 Coach (Instructor) with three years experience or a Level 3 Coach (Senior Instructor) 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-RequisitesHold the BCU 2 Star (Improvers) 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.)

VenueAssessments should be conducted on placid water, grade 1 rivers, 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 takes place in an outdoor environment.

SyllabusThis 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 terms "canoeist" and "canoeing" generically. Similarly, references to buoyancy aids can be taken to also include lifejackets.

1. General Theory and SkillsThis training module covers the following topics:

a. The safety features of canoes/kayaks, buoyancy aids, and other canoeing clothing and equipment.

b. The hazards which 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 safe handling of craft on land, for example, onto a roofrack. See BCU Guidelines.

h. The value of holding a first aid certificate and where one can be obtained.

2. LifesavingThis 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 reaching 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. The suitability of these techniques in different situations.

3. Canoe/Kayak Rescue SkillsThis 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. 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. AssessmentThe 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 limit to the number of attempts allowed within that period.

c. (CCK only) Demonstrate an Eskimo rescue, both as a casualty and a rescuer.

(CN only) Exit from the canoe in deep water, leaving it upright and without losing contact. Re-enter without assistance.

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 AssessorsModules 1 and 2 are expected 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 waterborne 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. TheoryWhen 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 IncidentsThe 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.

1 star kayak test

ONE STAR TEST

CLOSED COCKPIT KAYAK






AIM
A basic assessment of ability at the end of an introductory course. An encouragement award. The test itself should encourage safe practice, regard for the equipment, and fun.

PRE-REQUISITES
None.

VENUE
Sheltered water (not a swimming pool) but see paragraph 17 of the Introductory Notes.

ASSESSOR
Level 1 Kayak Coach (Supervisor) or Level 2 Kayak Trainee Coach (Trainee Instructor Inland) or above

Level 2 Coaches or higher in alternative disciplines, who hold the Kayak 2 Star Test or higher, may also assess this award.

THEORY
- a question or two of a similar level should be asked under each heading

Equipment
Sample questions:
What fittings should a kayak always have ?
What fitting should a spray deck always have ?
How long should your paddle be ?

Safety
Sample questions:
What should you never do if you capsize a kayak ?
Why should you not paddle alone ?
Why should you keep a straight back when lifting a kayak ?

Hypothermia/first aid
Sample questions:
What could make a mild day seem cold to a kayaker?
Why is a waterproof cag or anorak important to a kayaker ?

Environment and access
Sample questions:
If you found litter on the bank or shore, or floating in the water, what should you do ?
What sort of things make a kayak trip on a quiet river or canal an enjoyable experience ?

General
Sample questions:
What are the main differences between a canoe and a kayak ?
Who are the famous users of kayaks for hunting ?
Who are the famous users of canoes ?






PRACTICAL ‘A’

1 Lifting, carrying and launching the kayak. The candidate must demonstrate good lifting and carrying principles using legs rather than the back. Assistance is recommended. The boat must be afloat. Balance must be maintained. The paddle must remain within reach or can be used to assist in embarking.
2 Forward paddling over a 100m course. Candidates must show evidence that they are able to control the kayak in a straight line over a distance of 100 metres. Some directional instability is likely to occur but this should not include complete loss of forward movement or a continuous careering from side to side.
3 Stopping. This should be demonstrated in both directions. Opposite motion should be in evidence within four strokes.
4 Rotate 360 degrees on the spot. Spinning in a clockwise and anti-clockwise rotation using the appropriate combination of forward sweeps and reverse sweeps. Some body rotation to be in evidence.
5 Reverse paddling. The kayak should travel a distance of 25 metres. Turning the trunk and looking over one or both shoulders must be in evidence.
6 Paddle a figure-of-8 course. The candidate should paddle a prescribed figure-of-8 course using a combination of forward strokes and sweeps to demonstrate a basic level of steering control.
7 Return to bank and disembark. Correct approach to the bank, relative to wind, current and type of bank or shore. Control must be maintained whilst exiting the boat. Exit without damaging the kayak or the bank.

PRACTICAL ‘B’
1 Capsize, swim ashore and empty. If a spraydeck is worn, this may be released before capsizing. The candidate should remain calm. and quickly regain, and maintain contact with the kayak. The paddle should be retained, or collected by swimming the kayak to the paddle. Swim not more than 10 metres and empty the boat on the shore. Help can be asked for, so long as the candidate remains in charge of emptying.
Demonstrate satisfactory beginnings in:

1 Moving sideways. Some body rotation towards the paddling side should be in evidence. Blade to be well immersed. Paddle shaft probably not upright at this stage. Recovery of the blade through the air or sliced in the water is acceptable. Clear evidence of sideways movement should be in evidence but some bow or stern swing is acceptable.
2 Ruddering. With forward movement of the kayak, the paddle should be inserted to one side of the boat. Blade should be almost covered, front arm relaxed over stomach, shaft parallel to side of boat. The kayak should be kept running in a straight line with the paddle remaining on the one side.
3 Preventing a capsize. The kayak should be edged sufficiently to be nearly off balance. Low recovery strokes should be demonstrated on both sides.


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Canoeing is Fun