Lower Wharfe Canoe Club
Specific Risk Assessment: White water trips
Assessment By: Sue Couling
Date of Assessment: April 2011, Reviewed May 2015
This Specific Risk Assessment is for club trips on grade2 (3) in low to medium conditions and is to read in
conjunction with:
The Club generic risk assessment for trips
Specific information on the river.
Lower Wharfe Canoe Club Guidance for Trip Leaders
As a club we are aiming to provide safe, enjoyable trips for our club members that also provide
progression for developing paddlers
This guidance has been produced to help achieve this aim along side the club’s risk assessments for
standard club trips. However, trip leaders should also conduct dynamic risk assessment for the specific
circumstances of each trip. In every case the trip leaders must consider whether the conditions are
suitable for the trip. For example, if two or three paddlers end up in the water can you cope? If there is
any doubt at all, consider modifying the trip e.g. shortening it or choosing an alternative location; or if
necessary cancelling the trip. You will always have the full backing of the club committee if you decide
not to run a trip in adverse conditions.
A Trip Leader is someone with the relevant four star qualification or a Level 2 coach or above and must
be over 18. The committee can also nominate suitably experienced people to run trips. All trip leaders
should have current first aid training and CRB and have completed the relevant canoe safety training.
Assistant leaders should be of three star standard and have done canoe safety training (preferably the
Foundation Safety and Rescue Training course)
Before the trip:
Weather
River levels
The Trip leaders should monitor the weather forecast for the river catchment area
in the days preceding the trip to get an idea of what the river conditions are likely
to be (tends to be a bit of a black art).
Many rivers can rise rapidly in high rain fall conditions and this may be happening
further up stream or the day before the trip.
In cold, winter conditions make sure in advance that paddlers will be properly
kitted out.
Sources of information:
Eg BBC weather website
XC Weather
Metcheck
River level information can be found at http://www.environmentagency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/riverlevels/default.aspx
The risk assessments for standard club trips are for normal river levels. If the river
is above normal levels consider carefully whether to run the trip. If in doubt seek
advice from other club members, guide books or forum sites such as
UKriversguide. But do not rely blindly on this advice as river conditions can change
quickly e.g. by fallen trees.
Consider:
Do you have sufficient competent paddlers to help look after your group?
What effect will the river level have on the river features?
Can dangerous features be avoided at high levels (e.g. can you get out before a
weir)
What are the consequences of coming out of the boat – will this mean a long swim
before a rescue can be executed?
Supervision ratios
Moving water trips should be lead by a qualified coach or by a person nominated
by the committee.
Classify group into intermediates, those capable of assisting and leaders. (These
trips are not suitable for novices)
For a grade 1-2 river trips in normal river conditions the maximum ratio of
intermediates to (leaders plus assistants) should be 3:1
For grade 2-3 river trips or above normal river levels the ratio should be below 2:1
Check Access
agreements
Check any recent
information on
hazards
Equipment and
clothing
Medical conditions
Contact details
Many rivers have hard won access agreements we need to observe them
Check for arrangements = preferably from the local access officer.
Also Guide books, www.ukriversguide. Google earth
eg http://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/
Advice on clothing and what to bring should be given to participants before the
trip
Trip information about club trips is available as hardcopy and to be put on the
website
Check with participants and membership list for any relevant medical conditions
Can check with membership secretary before trip
Make sure you have contact details in case trip has to be cancelled at short notice.
Suggest participants email or text you or check facebook etc to check trip will run
Paddler Information
The following information should be obtained by the trip leader for all the paddlers on a trip.
Formally requesting this information may not be necessary where everyone on the trip is well known to
the trip leader, but care should be taken to ensure that new health conditions are not missed or
incorrect assumptions are made.
Essential Information to be carried on trip:
Emergency Contact numbers for day of paddle
and that these are carried on the trip.
Relevant Medical Information – e.g. disabilities,
sight/hearing impairment, injuries, asthma,
Epilepsy, diabetes, heart conditions etc.
Is medical treatment carried and if so by whom
and where.
Relevant injuries – e.g. shoulders and back
problems, repetitive strain injuries.
Parental/carer permission for under 18’s
Where are parents/carers during trip and what
are the dropping off and picking up arrangements.
Useful information to have:
Food intolerances (e.g. nut allergies, particularly
relevant if person is cold and you want to give them
high energy food)
Food preferences (cold, tired children in particular
can be very uncooperative and not all kids like
chocolate!)
Tolerance to cold – some people with poor circulation
have problems with cold hands and feet.
Special learning needs (e.g. that affect balance and
coordination, or responses to instructions etc.)