Flatwater Kayaking Safety & Rescue Skills Course
Course Overview The Flatwater Kayak Safety and Rescue workshop introduces essential flatwater safety practices and rescue techniques that can be performed with a minimum of equipment, in the first few minutes of an emergency. If you’re a student who would like a resource to prepare for this course, ACA is pleased to provide a free online paddling safety course, here. A certificate of completion is included! Note: The use of spray skirts is not appropriate for Level 1: Introduction to Kayaking courses.
Course Objectives

• Understand that prevention is the key to a safe trip
• Understand how to avoid potential dangers
• Develop and practice key self-rescue skills
• Learn to focus on fast, simple, low-risk rescue techniques
• Develop the skills to manage minor in-water incidents

Minimum Personal Equipment for the Course Appropriately fitted life jacket designed for paddling, protective clothing suitable for extended time in the water, appropriate footwear, boat, paddle, and whistle. Recreational, whitewater or coastal kayaks may be used, at the instructor’s discretion.
Course Prerequisites

• Acknowledgment of personal compliance with the ACA Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC)
• Agree to comply with the ACA Code of Conduct
• No prior paddling experience or training is required to participate in this course

Course Duration The course duration should be adjusted to best fit the needs and goals of the participants. Suggested time: Half a day to one day (4-8 hours).
Course Location / Accessible Venues Flat water with easy access and sufficient depth for safe wet exits by beginners. Protected space is needed for on-land work, with adequate shelter for inclement weather. This class should be held within ¼ mile of shore.
Number of Participants 5 participants : 1 Instructor; with an additional instructor, the ratio can be 10 : 2.
Instructor This course may be offered by Level 2: Essentials of River Kayak or Level 2: Essentials of Kayak Touring (or higher) ACA Instructors, Instructor Trainers, or Instructor Trainer Educators.
Course Outline The following is a general summary of course content for the Flatwater Kayak Safety and
Rescue course. The content covered and sequence of instruction should be adjusted to best fit the participant’s needs, class location and time allowance.
Introduction, Expectations, and Logistics Introduction, Expectations, and Logistics:

• Welcome, introductions, paperwork
• Student and Instructor course expectations and limitations
• Course itinerary and site logistics
• Review waiver, assumption of risk, challenge by choice, medical disclosure
• About the ACA
• Life jacket policy (always wear on water)
• Appropriate personal behavior
  • No alcohol / substance abuse
  • Proper etiquette on and off the water
  • Respect private property
  • Practice Leave No Trace ethics

Paddling Environment

• Wind
• Waves
• Weather
• Water

Personal Preparation

• Personal ability
• Swimming ability
• Water comfort and confidence
• Fitness, conditioning, and warm up
• Safe paddle and boat handling
• Safety and rescue considerations
• Personal equipment (reviewed by Instructor)

Safety and Rescue

• Avoiding trouble
• Trip planning, competent leader
• Principles of Rescue
  • Use of safe rescue strategies such as T-RETHROG (Talk, Reach, Throw, Row, Go)
  • Rescue priorities: people, kayak, paddle, gear
  • Responsibilities of: rescuer, group, swimmers
• The big 3 – near drowning, cold water shock and hypothermia, spinal management
  • Need for further training
• KISS
• Rescue organization
• Reality of injuries and death

Communication and Signals

• Hand, paddle and whistle signals
• Cell phone or radio when appropriate

Equipment:

• Makes your trip safer and more comfortable
• Clothing
• Kayaks with flotation or bulkheads
• Paddle float and pump
• PFD
• Helmet (when appropriate)
• Knife and whistle
• First Aid kit
• VHF radio and/or cell phone

Swimming and Wading Skills

• Understand the risks associated with standing and walking in the types of environments mentioned above (including entanglement and environmental hazards)
• Understand the pros and cons of different swimming positions
• Self-rescue: swimming with equipment
• Strategies to conserve energy

Kayak-based Rescues

• Advantages and disadvantages during rescues of various kayaks (e.g., sit-ins, sit-on-tops, recreational kayaks)
• Calmly exit the kayak after capsize, using proper body position and contact with the kayak and paddle.
• Paddle recovery options
• Strategies for kayak recovery
• Swimmer tow options
• Swimmer re-entry / re-mount techniques (e.g., stern entry, heel hook, rescue sling, paddle float)
• Kayak bumping / bulldozing
• Kayak towing
• Kayak specific rescues (e.g., boat over boat, boat to boat, scoop)
• Unresponsive paddler rescue
• Emptying water from kayak (e.g., on-shore, bailers, pumps)

Rope Handling Skills

• Selecting a tow line
• Handling tows in wind and current
• Throw rope use

Conclusion and Wrap Up

• Group debrief / individual feedback
• Course limitations
• Importance of First Aid and CPR
• Importance of additional instruction, practice, and gaining experience
• Importance of appropriate level of safety and rescue training
• Life sport / paddling options
• Local paddling groups / clubs
• Handouts / reference materials
• Participation cards
• ACA membership benefits and join process

© American Canoe Association
Date of last revision: 10/28/2025
https://americancanoe.org