Flatwater Canoeing Safety & Rescue Course Overview The Flatwater Canoe Safety and Rescue workshop introduces flat water 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!
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. All types of canoes 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.
Course Size Tandem: 6 participants : 1 Instructor; with an additional instructor, the ratio can be 12 : 2. Solo: 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 Canoeing or Level 2: Essentials of Canoe 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 Canoe 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 & confidence
• Fitness, conditioning, and warm up
• Safe paddle and boat handling
• Safety and rescue considerations
• Personal equipment (reviewed by Instructor)

Introduction to Basic Safety & Rescue

• Avoiding trouble and hazards
• Trip planning, competent leader
• Rescue philosophy
• The big 3 – near drowning, hypothermia
• and spinal management; need for further training
• RETHROG
• KISS
• Rescue organization
• Reality of injuries and death

Communications and Signaling

• Hand, paddle, and whistle signals
• Cell phone and radios when appropriate

Equipment

• Makes your trip safer and more comfortable
• Clothing
• Canoe with appropriate flotation
• Paddle bailer and or pump
• PFD
• Knife and whistle
• First aid kit
• VHF radio and/or cell phone
• Dry bag that can be secured

Swimming Skills

• Basis for self-rescue; fundamental personal safety skill
• Wet exits on-land practice, then in-water with one-on-one supervision
• Defensive swimming
• Aggressive swimming
• Swimming with boat

Assisted Rescues and Tows

• Allows one boater to assist another; fundamental group safety skills
• T rescue with and without sling
• Side by side curl rescue
• Contact tow and tow line use

Rope Handling Skills

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

Rescue of Loose Boats and Gear

• Self rescue - Hold onto boat and paddle when appropriate.
• Group rescue:
  • Rescue priorities: People, Boats then Gear
  • Boat over boat rescues
  • Towing – short line and short distance

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