Safety on the Waters

Common Sense Canoeing

Keep your weight low in the canoe Do not go out during stormy weather Co-operate with your partner Avoid fast moving water/rapids Don't overload the canoe Wear your PFD at all times in the canoe Tell someone where you're going and when you expect to be back

Canoe in the daylight Avoid any unexpected or unannounced moment Watch for obstacles Take an extra paddle in the canoe Get off and out of the water if lightening starts Stay with your canoe if it swamps or overturns(flips over) on flat water

ORCKA News
ORCKA Canoe Trip Leader Standards

ORCKA has adopted a set of Canoe Trip Leader standards for use by ORCKA Instructors in the conduct of Canoe Trips as part of the ORCKA program. These Canoe Trip Leader standards have been designed to provide trip participants with an acceptable standard of due care and to mitigate the risk involved in a Canoe Trip. The detail of these standards are posted on the ORCKA website and have been in effect since 2008. Working together-promoting the development of safe, compentent and knowledgeable recreational paddlers. www.orcka.ca

Canoe Trip Leader Standards for the Conduct of the Trip Component of ORCKA Program

Disclaimer
The information in these ORCKA Canoe Trip Leader Standards are of a general nature only and is not intended to be relied upon, nor as substitute for, specific professional advice. No responsibility for the loss occasioned to any person acting on or refraining from action as a result of any material in these guidelines can be accepted.

Background
These ORCKA Canoe Trip Leader Standards were prepared by the Safety committee of the Ontario Recreational Canoe and Kayak Association (ORCKA) in response to a number of requests for comment from the Ontario Coroners' Office. When developing these standards, the Committee investigated related standards of care from a number of similar outdoor and adventure sports, both of a National and International nature. Best practices were then identified and included in these Canoe Trip Leader Standards.

Organizations and groups who canoe trip in a wilderness environment expose themselves to a certain amount of risk. Wilderness risk management involves pre-trip planning, equipment selection, safety equipment, leader qualification, participant skill level and more. This document specifically addresses the canoe leader qualifications by setting as a standard the minimum qualifications to lead a canoe trip safely in both a wilderness and/or non-wilderness environment.

For the purposes of these ORCKA Canoe Trip Leader Standards, a Canoe Trip Leader is a current ORCKA certified individual who is leading a canoe trip in a non-wilderness or wilderness setting in the Province of Ontario as part of an ORCKA sanctioned course or activity.

These ORCKA Canoe Trip Leader Standards replace the current ORCKA Canoe Trip Leader Standards adopted by ORCKA in 2004.

Organizations are encouraged to adopt these recommended ORCKA Canoe Trip Leader Standards when hiring staff or selecting Canoe Trip Leaders for the conduct of the trip component of ORCKA Program in both non-wilderness and wilderness areas of Ontario.

These ORCKA Canoe Trip Leader Standards were formally adopted by its Board of Directors on January 27th, 2007 and come into effect January 1st, 2008 as the standard for the conduct of the trip component of all ORCKA courses, including ORCKA Canoeing Instructor courses, ORCKA sponsored canoeing courses and all ORCKA Canoe Trip Leader Standards

Non-Wilderness Canoe Trips
These Canoe Trip Leader standards apply to day trips of under five hours duration on flat water and moving water environments in a non-wilderness environment. Non-wilderness is defined as an area where transportation to definitive medical care is less than two hours throughout the trip. There is no overnight component to a non-wilderness canoe trip. ORCKA canoeing courses being conducted in the Province of Ontario by ORCKA Organizational Members.

1. Flat Water Canoe Trips in a Non-Wilderness Environment
Minimum Qualification
Canoe Trip Leader - Flat water canoe day trip (Day trip of less than five hours duration)	a) ORCKA Flatwater Instructor, ORCKA Canadian Style Paddling Instructor 2, ORCKA Canoe Tripping Instructor 2, ORCKA River Running Instructor 2, ORCKA Moving Water Instructor 2 or Canoe Tripping Level 3 Skills - Trip Leader b) Current Standard First Aid (min. 16 hours) or higher c) Current CPR Level A d) 250 km tripping experience
Assistant Canoe Trip Leader - Flat water canoe day trip (Day trip of less than five hours duration)	a) ORCKA Flatwater Instructor, ORCKA Canadian Style Paddling Instructor 2, ORCKA Canoe Tripping Instructor 2, ORCKA River Running Instructor 2, ORCKA Moving Water Instructor 2 or ORCKA Canoe Tripping Level 3 Skills - Trip Leader. b) Current Emergency First Aid (min. 8 hours) c) Current CPR Level A d) 100 km tripping experience
2. Moving Water Canoe Trips in a Non-Wilderness Environment
Minimum Qualification
Canoe Trip Leader - Moving water canoe day trip (Day trip of less than five hours duration)	a) ORCKA Canoe Tripping Instructor 2 with ORCKA Moving Water Level 3, ORCKA Canoe Tripping Level 3 Skills - Trip Leader with ORCKA Moving Water Level 3, ORCKA River Running Instructor 2 or ORCKA Moving Water Instructor 2 b) Current Standard First Aid (min. 16 hours) or higher c) Current CPR Level A d) 250 km tripping experience in a moving water environment
Assistant Canoe Trip Leader - Moving water canoe day trip (Day trip of less than five hours duration)	a) ORCKA Canoe Tripping Level 3 Skills - Trip Leader with ORCKA Moving Water Level 2, ORCKA Canoe Tripping Instructor 2 with ORCKA Moving Water Level 2, ORCKA River Running Instructor 2 or ORCKA Moving Water Instructor 2 b) Current Emergency First Aid (min. 8 hours) c) Current CPR Level A d) 100 km tripping experience in a moving water environment.

Wilderness Canoe Trips
These Canoe Trip Leader Standards apply to canoe trips in a wilderness environment. Wilderness is defined as an area where transportation to definitive medical care is typically more than two hours. A wilderness trip is over five hours to multiple weeks in duration. Most wilderness canoe trips by nature, include an overnight component.

1. Flat Water Canoe Trips in a Wilderness Environment
Minimum Qualification
Canoe Trip Leader - Flat water canoe trip	a) ORCKA Canoe Tripping Level 3 Skills - Trip Leader or ORCKA Canoe Tripping Instructor 2, ORCKA River Running Instructor 2 or ORCKA Moving Water Instructor 2 with ORKCA Canoe Tripping Level 3 Skills - Trip Leader qualifications b) Current Wilderness Advanced First Aid (min. 40 hours) c) Current CPR Level A d) 1000km tripping experience
Assistant Canoe Trip Leader - Flat Water canoe trip	a) ORCKA Canoe Tripping Level 3 Skills - Trip Leader, ORCKA Canoe Tripping Instructor 2, ORCKA River Running Instructor 2 or ORCKA Moving Water Instructor 2 with ORCKA Canoe Tripping Level 3 Skills - Trip Leader qualifications. b) Current Wilderness First Aid (min. 16 hours) c) Current CPR Level A d) 500km tripping experience
2. Moving Water Canoe Trips in a Wilderness Environment
Canoe Trip Leader Guide - Moving Water canoe trip	a) ORCKA Canoe Tripping Level 3 Skills - Trip Leader, ORCKA Canoe Tripping Instructor 2, ORCKA River Running Instructor 2 or ORCKA Moving Water Instructor 2 with ORCKA Canoe Tripping Level 3 Skills - Trip Leader qualifications. b) ORCKA Moving Water Level 2 c) Current Wilderness Advanced First Aid (min. 40 hours) d) Current CPR Level A e) Current White Water Rescue Technician Level 1 or higher f) 1000km tripping experience, at least 500km of that in a moving water environment
Assistant Canoe Trip Leader - Moving Water canoe trip	a) ORCKA Canoe Tripping Level 3 Skills - Trip Leader, ORCKA Canoe Tripping Instructor 2, ORCKA River Running Instructor 2 or ORCKA Moving Water Instructor 2 with ORCKA Canoe Tripping Level 3 Skills - Trip Leader qualifications. b) ORCKA Moving Water Level 1 c) Current Wilderness First Aid (min. 16 hours) d) Current CPR Level A e) Current White Water Rescue Technician Level 1 or higher f) 500km tripping experience, at least 250km of that in a moving water environment

INTERNATIONAL SCALE OF RIVER DIFFICULTY
This is a North American version of a rating system used to compare river difficulty throughout the world. These guidelines offer a general classification for rivers, but be aware that the system is not exact. Rivers do not always fit neatly into the various classifications, and regional interpretations of the classification system may create misunderstandings. There is no substitute for a cautious approach to rivers with which a paddler is unfamiliar.

Class I: Easy

• Fast moving water with riffles and small waves.
• Few obstructions, all obvious and easily missed with little training.
• Risk to swimmers is slight; self-rescue is easy.

Class II: Novice

• Straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels which are evident without scouting.
• Occasional manoeuvring may be required, but rocks and medium-sized waves are easily missed by trained paddlers.
• Swimmers are seldom injured and group assistance, while helpful, is seldom needed.
• Rapids that are at the upper end of this difficulty range are designated "Class II+".

Class III: Intermediate

• Rapids with moderate, irregular waves which may be difficult to avoid and which can swamp an open canoe.
• Complex manoeuvres in fast current and good boat control in tight passages or around ledges are often required; large waves or strainers may be present, but are easily avoided.
• Strong eddies and powerful current effects can be found, particularly on large volume rivers.
• Scouting is advisable for inexperienced parties.
• Injuries while swimming are rare; self-rescue is usually easy, but group assistance may be required to avoid long swims.
• Rapids that are at the lower or upper end of this difficulty range are designated "Class III- or Class III+", respectively.

Class IV: Advanced

• Intense, powerful but predictable rapids requiring precise boat handling in turbulent water.
• Depending on the character of the river, it may feature large, unavoidable waves and holes or constricted passages demanding fast manoeuvres under pressure.
• A fast, reliable eddy turn may be needed to initiate manoeuvres, scout rapids, or rest.
• Rapids may require "must" moves above dangerous hazards. Scouting may be necessary the first time down.
• Risk of injury to swimmers is moderate to high, and water conditions may make self-rescue difficult.
• Group assistance for rescues is often essential but requires practised skills. A strong Eskimo roll is highly recommended.
• Rapids that are at the lower or upper end of this difficulty range are designate "Class IV- or Class IV+", respectively.

Environment Corner - Leave No Trace

Making camp:
• Try to camp in the river's floodplain (unless there is risk of flooding), and check with land managers about designated sites.
• Control litter by repackaging foods before the trip and putting down a tarp in the camp cooking area to catch debris.
• Avoid having a campfire. If you do, use a fire pan; bring wood with you or pick up driftwood for fuel over the course of the day.

Waste Disposal:
• On remote, rarely visited waterways, bury your waste in a cat hole 200 feet from shore.
• If you are travelling through a narrow, slick rock river corridor or in a popular area, pack out your solid waste.
• Pee well away from shore and campsites.

Reducing Impact:
• Secure your load in the boat to avoid littering in the event of a capsize.
• Be aware of trampling impacts to vegetation, and follow established trails when venturing away from the river corridor.

Climate Change

What is Climate Change?

Over the last 50 - 100 years, increased industrialization and human activities have begun to affect the earth's natural climate balance.

The burning of fossil fuels has increased the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere which causes the earth to heat up.

This effect is known as global warming.

Once global warming affects our weather patterns and climate conditions, it is referred to as climate change.

Climate Change & Ontario

In Ontario, we can expect average temperatures to rise by as much as three to eight degrees Celsius over the next century. Climate change will affect many of the social and environmental values that Ontarians have come to appreciate.

About Climate Change

Global warming is caused by an increase in the amount of heat trapped in the Earth's atmosphere. Global warming changes the Earth's climate. Climate change is a variation in the long-term weather patterns of temperature and precipitation (typically decades or longer). These patterns can result in a climate that is warmer or colder, wetter or drier. Normally, climate change happens slowly over thousands of years, but because of increased industrialization and associated human activities, the Earth's climate is rapidly warming.

In Ontario, we can expect average temperatures to rise by as much as 3 to 8 degrees Celsius over the next century. Warmer temperatures may result in milder winters, longer growing seasons and a higher frequency of severe weather events such as record-breaking storms, floods, droughts and heat waves. The expected changes in our climate will have a significant impact on Ontario's ecosystems, and us and our communities.