The issue of leadership on paddling trips is sometimes overlooked. POST prides itself on its safety orientation… Whenever you head to the river there are some fundamental skills that need to exist both with each paddler, and among the group. Individual paddlers obviously need appropriate paddling skills, equipment, and judgment to let them navigate the river safely. There also need to be skills like first aid, CPR, river rescue. POST has rescue equipment. This includes a collection of throw ropes (one per canoe), a good first aid kit, and a “wrap rope.” These things need to be brought on every trip. If these things aren't there and you need them, you may be in serious danger.

The notion of a "trip leader" may be antithetical to some paddlers, but having someone who is designated to make sure that all these things are taken care of is just good expedition-style planning. It doesn't mean that the "leader" makes all the trip decisions. Rather, this person serves as the "conscience" of the group, that little reminder to make sure that all the bases are covered.

If you're serving as the coordinator for a POST trip, you will either serve in this capacity, or you will need to see that someone else does. You'll need to do some research in advance, and make some decisions before putting in. It is nice to have a “river leader” who has these skills and experience with the run. This person may be the “lead canoe” or designate one. Also, designate the sweep canoe.

Our ACA insurance has developed the following guidelines.

1. Require all participants, volunteers, safety personnel, media, event organizers, VIPs, etc. to read and sign the ACA Waiver and Release of Liability before the event begins. It's critical that every paddler, and any volunteer such as an unpaid shuttle driver, needs to sign a waiver, ideally before the van is started, but in any event before putting onto the river.
POST members fill out a waiver along with their membership application/renewal. Trip Leaders should be careful that “other participants" sign a waiver too.

2. Require all participants to wear properly fitting US Coast Guard approved lifejackets (PFDs) during on-water activities.
Not only an insurance issue, but also legal.

3. For activities on Class II or higher whitewater or in coastal surf zones, require all participants to wear properly fitting paddling helmets.
Class II water: everyone wears a helmet. Calmer water? No helmet is OK. POST has helmets. For Class II and above, make sure to bring some along.

4. For activities on Class III or higher whitewater, [POST] must . . . receive written approval from the ACA National Office before the start of the activity. Class III trips are fine, as long as the ACA has received/approved the trip. POST sends it’s trip schedule to the ACA office at the beginning of each year. Make sure late additions to the schedule are sent in, as well.

5. Prepare a roster of the on-site first aid and rescue personnel, including their qualifications and what emergency supplies they have available.

A written roster may not be necessary. But, know who has first aid or medical skills. What if someone on a POST trip had a heart attack or a diabetic emergency? What if a paddler while swimming became pinned under water in a rapid?

Who takes control in a Medical Emergency (injury or illness) ? How about in a Rescue Emergency (trapped paddler, pinned boat)?

In an emergency situation, the people with the most river rescue or first aid experience need to take charge and this might not be the designated trip leader. These folks will likely be the designated lead and sweep boats.
All paddlers need to know in advance which of them has the skills and judgment, and who is willing to take over a leadership role in an emergency.

POST Trip Leaders must determine before putting on the water who in the group has the most first aid skill, and who has the most river rescue skill. These folks will likely be the designated lead and sweep boats.

The person(s) with the highest rescue skills should feel comfortable in performing rescues in the most difficult section of the river. If not, reconsider the run chosen. What if the primary leader(s) are the victim(s)? Who is next in charge? You should have a designated back-up person both for rescue and first aid.

6. Prepare a list of emergency contacts and the methods of communication available.
POST Trip Leaders should have the contact information (address and phone) for the closest medical facilities to the water being paddled, as well as local law enforcement who could support the group in a swiftwater rescue should the need arise. As is most of the public, we depend upon the 9-1-1 Emergency Medical System. But, from on the water, how to access it? Bring a copy of a guidebook for the river, or copies of the relevant information from guidebooks.

7. Any participant who encounters another participant or event personnel whose personal safety is at risk must stop to render assistance.
Every POST member and guest has a "duty to assist" other paddlers on a trip. Not only keep an eye on the boat ahead of you, but make sure the boat behind you is still there. Eddy out below every rapid, even minor ones, and make sure the boat behind you gets through OK.

11. Report all property damage and serious injuries that require medical attention to the ACA National Office -using the ACA Occurrence Report Form - within 7 days of the incident.
A Trip Leader must report any injury that required medical attention using a form available in the POST clipboard. Send it to a POST Officer, or make a phone report, as soon as possible.
The injury may have occurred before paddling (in transit), on the river, or after paddling.

Important safety guidelines:

A. Ensure participants are informed prior to the event about expected conditions (required equipment) and skill levels needed.
The Trip Leader should screen potential paddlers if uncertain about their level of skill for the trip. If you are uncertain, contact one of the officers, or other experience person. Paddlers should be informed if they will need to bring helmet or other safety equipment. Once a trip begins, if it becomes apparent that a person’s skill and experience are not adequate for the trip, use your best judgment on how to handle the situation. It is also possible that water/weather conditions may dictate that a trip be modified, or cancelled.

B. Appoint a Safety Coordinator or committee to oversee the implementation of all safety procedures.
The POST Executive Committee (officers) serves as the Safety Committee. The River Leader (not trip coordinator) serves as the Safety person for the trip.

C. Conduct a participants' meeting/briefing prior to the start of the event. Announce the participant equipment checklist, possible hazards, and required safety procedures.

Every POST trip should include a “safety talk".
Have everyone introduce themselves. Included in the safety talk will be a "gear check" to make certain all paddlers are properly prepared, and that wrap kit / first aid kit are present. Review river signals and any known hazards on the run.

Text and material from www.acanet.org/pdf/safetyguideline.pdf

And from www.princeton.edu/~oa/paddle/rivplan.shtml