BOATsmart! USA Knowledge Base

Module 06 - Other Water Activities Emergency Preparation

Unique Hazards for Small Boats

Unlike most larger boats, small boats and paddle craft are able to access smaller waterways. This means that in addition to open water hazards of larger waterways, operators of smaller boats must also be aware of the unique hazards they may encounter in smaller waterways, including:

Strainers:

A ‘strainer’ is an obstacle that’s formed out of rocks, fallen trees and other types of debris that end up in rivers. The water will flow through a strainer, but it will stop or ‘strain’ your small boat and keep it from moving forward.

Low head dams:

These structures are sometimes called ‘death machines’ because they’re capable of trapping a person under the water with the force of the hydraulic or ‘backwash’ current they produce. Always go around low head dam areas—head to shore and carry your boat well past the dangerous area.

Unusually high water conditions:

After periods of heavy rainfall or during unusually high water conditions, the hydraulic or ‘backwash’ current problems of low head dams become even more dangerous, because the current can reach even further downstream.

Strong currents and rapids:

If you encounter strong currents or rapids, you should immediately head to shore or turn back to a safe water area. If you’re in a paddle craft, you should head to shore and carry your boat well past the dangerous area. The water current may be too strong for you to remain in control of your paddle craft.

All paddlers should be aware of the following statistics:

85% of the paddlers who drowned while canoeing were not wearing a lifejacket.
48% of the paddlers who drowned while kayaking were not wearing a lifejacket.
50% of the paddlers who drowned while canoeing or kayaking were fishing at the time of the accident.
25% of the people who drowned while canoeing are believed to have consumed alcohol immediately prior to the accident.