WHITE WATER PRACTICE SESSIONS - RIVER READING AND SAFETY Mike 2nd Orleans

Introduction Introduction River Reading Clothing and Equipment Procedures/Signals Dangers Proper “Swimming” Technique Approximately 50 minutes

River Reading What’s really going on down there!

Concepts of River Flow Volume – really “flow rate” Gradient Velocity Amount of water passing a point per unit time Gradient Average steepness or slope Velocity Speed and direction of current Depends on volume, gradient, obstacles, river bed, river course, etc

Simple River Flow

River Formations – Constrictions “white water” happens when the current speed up Caused by narrowing of banks, rocks, shallow bottom Called “white” due to air bubbles – less floation

Eddies and Eddy Lines Water passes around rock and speeds up Water behind the rock actually flows upstream Line between the water flowing upstream and down stream – sharp near object Also occur at river edge

Obstacles Simple eddy behind a rock Increased water flow, water pours over rock, becomes a “pillow” Smooth flowing over rock, shallow

Obstacles (continued) Water flow increases, riffles become “curling waves”, have white foaming tops Further increase in volume and velocity, larger waves, continuously breaking, upstream direction

Obstacles (conclusion) Holes: flow continues to increase, curling waves create circulating water Ledges: long structure extending over part of river, drops upwards from 2-3 inches, in the extreme a water fall Recognized by straight line of foaming water

“GOOD” FEATURES Eddies – play the river by eddy hopping, pause to scout/relax Downstream “V”s - show deep water channel between obstacles, dark water tongue

“GOOD” FEATURES (continued) Haystacks – waves “bouncing” in regular pattern, deep and slow moving water, often at bottom of V’s

Smiling and Frowning Holes Frowning holes – tend to keep floating objects in centre Smiling holes – easily wash out the sides

Clothing and Equipment The well-dressed paddler!

Equipment List Helmet P.F.D. Whistle Paddle Wet Suit/Dry Suit Paddle Top Boots/Gloves Water Bottle/Snack Knife Canoe Spare Paddle Bailer Painters Throw Bag/Rope Light

Notes on Clothing Blue Jeans Sandals Cotton T Shirts

Procedures and Signals Paddle Signals Stop, come, go left/right Whistle Signals One blast/three blasts Hand Signals OK, stop, go left/right Always point in the direction to go!

AVOID! Dangers - Strainers Allows water to pass through but not objects Fallen trees, wire fences etc AVOID!

Dangers – Foot Entrapment Foot becomes wedged between rocks Force of water knocks swimmer over; prevents him from getting up DON’T WALK IN MOVING WATER THAT IS MORE THAN KNEE DEEP!

DANGERS – BIG HOLES AVOID! Water pouring over edge re-circulates, holds objects Man-made objects particularly dangerous “Maytagging” Try to swim out AVOID!

Dangers – Canoe Wraps/Pins Canoe full of water is equivalent to a small truck Can be crushed by pressure of water When swimming rapids, stay well to the side of canoe!

Proper Swimming Technique FEET DOWN STREAM BUM UP FEET UP – fend off rocks SCULL with hands DON’T STAND UP until the water is less than knee deep

Throw Bag Swimming Stay in the “swimming” position Hold rope to your chest Rope over the shoulder AWAY from the shore

River Rescue or What to do when things DON’T go well on the river! August 22/23/24 Palmer’s Rapids Instruction by SWAT