Holy Cow Canoe has been recognized as an International Safety Partner joining the lifejacket movement to promote personal responsibility through the wearing of lifejackets in small vessels. As a manufacturer of canoes we always encourage the importance of always wearing your life jacket. We know that wearing lifejackets saves lives – Canadian Safe Boating Council estimates that “100 lives a year could be saved in Canada if people always wore their lifejacket when boating. But many boaters don’t. The CSBC recently signed an International Lifejacket Wear Principles Agreement aimed at encouraging lifejacket wear. To view the press release, click here. ”
About the principals of the International Lifejacket wear, here is an exert from their website:
“A collaboration by some of the most prominent boating safety authorities
and organisations in the world aims to promote lifejacket wear and prevent death by drowning.
Representatives of national boating authorities and organisations from Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand and the United Kingdom today agreed on the International Lifejacket Wear Principles, following the Marine13 conference in Sydney. Although unable to attend the conference, the Boating Division of the US Coast Guard has also indicated its strong interest in the Principles.
Across these nations, the majority of all fatal boating accident victims drown and of these, around four out of five are reported as not wearing a lifejacket.”
We are proud to be a part of the Principals. Following a list of the best practices The Holy Cow Canoe encourages when you are in your canoe.
Always -Always -Always wear your life jacket, even if your a strong swimmer
• Take a hand’s on lesson before attempting your first paddling experience
• Be a swimmer
• Check the weather
• Check the water conditions Flood Status
• Always paddle with someone
• Assess your boat with 3 points of contact.
• Do not stand or move about excessively.
• Load the boat properly. Do not overload your vessel. Read this article on outfitting your boat
• Keep yourself and equipment low and along the center line.
• Balance your boat and remain seated at all times.
• Keep your shoulders within the gunwales of the boat.
• Carry a spare paddle
• Always dress for an unexpected flip in the weather, wear appropriate clothing.
• Wear a Hat or Helmet
• Carry a Whistle or Sound Signaling Device, throw bags and other rescue gear
• Carry a bilge pump and/or Bailer
• Carry self-rescue devices such as paddle float, slings, tow ropes, and light/signal/flashlight/headlamp
• Use sunscreen
• Use UV Eye Protection
• Carry drinking water (NO ALCOHOL)
We strongly advise becoming familiar with the your new canoe in a shallow area first before venturing out into deeper waters. On any new canoe, or water craft, it is a good idea to tip your canoe over on purpose in a shallow area so you become better familiar with how the canoe
will respond, behave, how far you can push the canoe safely, and in order to practice emergency.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
With the help of the other person in your canoe, you can get out in shallow water and flip the canoe to dump out the water and climb in. Your canoe will float even if it’s full of water until you can get to shore to empty it.
NOTE: ALWAYS SIT ON THE SEATS OR IN THE CENTER OF THE CANOE – SITTING ON THE SIDE OF A CANOE WILL CAUSE IT TO TIP OVER.
TO GET INTO YOUR CANOE:
1. HAVE SOMEONE HOLD THE CANOE STEADY
2. CROUCH LOW – keep your knees bent
3. GRAB THE SIDES OF THE CANOE FOR BALANCE as you walk to your seat
4. ALWAYS WALK ALONG THE CENTER
– keeping your feet on the center line will help keep the canoe from rocking.
5. STAY LOW – do not stand up or walk in your canoe when you are away from shore.
6. ALWAYS WEAR YOUR LIFE JACKET – you never know when you might fall out or tip over unexpectedly.
7. AVOID SUDDEN OR JERKY MOVEMENTS
– rocking from side to side could cause the canoe to tip over.
CHECK YOUR EQUIPMENT
1. Make a checklist and go over it before pushing off each time you canoe.
2. Canoes should be equipped with at least two paddles.
3. Every canoe should have two lines, a bowline and stern
4. An extra throw rope (for emergencies) should be stored safely in each craft. Store any loose ropes safely. Loose ropes
are deadly. Lines should be tied and wrapped before departing.
5. Attach a whistle (or other attention getting device) to your life vest to signal for help.
6. Carry a First Aid Kit inside the canoe. Store kits inside waterproof coverings.
7. Take a repair kit with you. Include quick repair items like duct tape, sealant, waterproof tape and other materials.
NEVER TIE PADDLES
Some canoeists tie paddles to the boat to avoid losing them.
Do not do this.
Tied paddles become extremely dangerous if the canoe does tip.
CHECK THE WATERS
→Class I – Moving water with small waves. Few or no obstructions.
→Class II – Easy rapids with waves up to three feet and wide clear channels that are obvious.
→Class III – Rapids with high, irregular waves often capable of swamping an open canoe. Narrow
passages that often require complex maneuvering. May require some scouting from shore.
→Class IV – Long, difficult rapids and constricted passages that often require precise maneuvering in very turbulent waters. Scout from shore often necessary and conditions make rescue difficult. Canoeists and kayakers should have the ability to roll.
→Class V – Extremely difficult. Long very violent rapids with highly congested routes that nearly always must be scouted. Rescue conditions are difficult and there is a significant hazard to life in the event of a mishap. Ability to execute a roll is essential for all boaters in kayaks and closed canoes.
→Class VI – Difficulties in Class V carried to the extreme of navigability. Nearly impossible and very dangerous. For experts only.