As in any adventure sport, when we make a kayak outing, it is important to follow certain safety rules. Let’s review the ten most important of this water sport.
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- Get instruction from an expert before using a boat. No person is born knowing. It is always convenient to talk to the expert about a specific topic, in this case kayak navigation, and take advantage of those years of experience to avoid basic mistakes.
- Always wear a lifejacket. A priori, it may seem that the life jacket should only be used in white water and / or deep water, but no. The life jacket is an element of forced use in any aquatic activity, and is that we never know when we can have any problem. A river may seem very tame, and yet harbor currents that can cause us problems if we are not prevented.
- Be sure of is are dressed properly. Depending on the season and the area, we can simply go with the bathing suit, or it will be necessary to wear a wetsuit, to appease the low temperatures of both the environment and the water. Also, if the heat is excessive, it is highly recommended to cover your head to avoid sunstroke, and be careful with burns (do not forget the sunscreen).
- Make sure you know basic first aid techniques, have first aid kit and safety and rescue equipment. If we do not go with an expert guide who takes charge of these elements, we must do it ourselves. And it is that we can find ourselves with a medical emergency in the middle of the nature, where the help will take in arriving. To do this, you must learn the basic techniques of first aid, and carry a first aid kit in the tight container.
- Check your equipment carefully before using it. If we check the material before each use, we can detect any anomaly (breakage, wear, etc.) in time and avoid possible accidents. A review of the equipment is essential before each departure.
- You never row alone. Although we believe we are very capable, we must avoid solo trips, since, in the event of an accident or any mishap, no one else will be able to lend us their help, or notify the emergency services, which puts us at unnecessary risk.
- If you paddle in a kayak on a lake, do not move away from the coast. As in any large body of water, currents can form in lakes that can complicate navigation. It is preferable to row along the coast, because if we go into the interior, we can find dangers that, in the other way, we will avoid.
- If you have no experience in Mountain Rivers, always row in the company of an expert. As easy as the river seems, there are dangers that you could not identify. The Mountain Rivers can be very unpredictable, and present extreme variations in very short stretches. Therefore, it is absolutely essential to know the section in which you are going to navigate. If you do not have this knowledge, you will have to be accompanied by a professional guide.
- Be especially careful during and after floods. Anticipate climate changes.
The characteristics of rivers are greatly affected by floods. Therefore, navigation is very complicated at those times. Avoid it, as far as possible, and if not, be accompanied by an expert guide who can advise you at all times.
- be honest with yourself, doing not exceed your abilities.
Nobody knows you better than you do. Be honest with yourself, and think how far you can go. Do not take unnecessary risks by wanting to reach sites for which you are not prepared.
The decline in kayak is a fascinating sport, and will provide unforgettable moments without anything to fear as long as you meet this simple Decalogue.
