Assessment Overview: This course is intended to provide the minimum skills and training necessary for an adult leader possessing basic paddling skills (see prerequisite below) to lead a trip for participants with beginner level paddling skills, in gentle conditions, with apparent wind not exceeding 10 knots, waves not exceeding 1 foot and currents to 2 knots. The emphasis of this course is trip leading, safety education and rescue, not paddling instruction. The content is relevant for clubs, camps, scouts and other entities providing trips. Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC): ACA courses are open to all individuals who acknowledge the ability to perform the following essential eligibility criteria. 1. Breathe independently (i.e., not require medical devices to sustain breathing) 2. Independently maintain sealed airway passages while under water 3. Independently hold head upright without neck / head support 4. Manage personal care independently or with assistance of a companion 5. Manage personal mobility independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance 6. Follow instructions and effectively communicate independently or with assistance of a companion 7. Independently turn from face-down to face-up and remain floating face up while wearing a properly fitted life jacket* 8. Get in / out of a paddlecraft independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance* 9. Independently get out and from under a capsized paddlecraft* 10. Reenter the paddlecraft following deep water capsize independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance* 11. Maintain a safe body position while attempting skills, activities and rescues listed in the appropriate Course Outline, and have the ability to recognize and identify to others when such efforts would be unsafe given your personal situation* * To participate in adaptive programs, participants must acknowledge only the first six EEC listed above. Entry-level adaptive programs will involve teaching and practicing EEC #7-11. Course Prerequisites: Must be an ACA Member Course Duration: 2 days (16 hours) minimum
Course Location / Venue: Protected waterways with easy access, shore classroom and access to course appropriate conditions for on water, training, practice and assessment. Course is to be conducted within ½ mile of shore. Assessor: Level 4: Open Water Coastal Kayaking Instructor (or higher) Level 3: Coastal Kayaking Instructor with the Trip Leading Endorsement Course Ratio: Solo: Tandem: 5 students : 1 Instructor; with an additional instructor or qualified assistant the ratio can be 10 : 2 6 students : 1 Instructor; with an additional instructor or qualified assistant the ratio can be 12 : 2 Type of Boat(s): Solo or Tandem Kayaks (IT discretion) with deck lines and flotation fore and aft. Spray skirts will be used for at least part of the course. The sequence of assessment should be adjusted to best fit the participant s needs, class location and time allowance. Course Outline: Day One Classroom and on shore discussion (IT judgment) depending on locale etc. Introduction and Logistics Welcome Introduction of instructors and participants Workshop objectives Schedule Insurance waivers and medical disclosure PFD policy/eligibility ACA SmartStart Trip Leader Qualities Qualifications and desired characteristics of trip leaders o Judgment and leadership o Competent paddler o Good communication skills o River/Sea sense o Safety and rescue trained Trip leader o o o o Applies appropriate discipline & group control Makes final safety decisions including trip cancellation Considers the well being of the group over the wants of an individual Takes final responsibility overall Trip Leader Knowledge Group Organization o Assignment of buddy boats o Group formations; Diamond and other, with attention to best position for the Leader o Communication systems o Audio and visual signals o Radios and protocol o Rules of the Nautical road
Group day camping ethics, including outdoor hygiene Leave no trace, stretch breaks & lunch stops Group etiquette Trip Preparations and Planning Recommended Guidelines for Leader/Participant Ratio: o 1 leader for every 6 participants with a minimum of 2 leaders/ 1 plus an assistant, for the first 10 participants 2:10 is recommended o Conditions or skill levels may warrant additional leaders or assistants Appropriate site selection and determining the skill level of the group Sources of information on venues: other paddlers, guidebooks, Internet, locals, radio, and trip reports etc. Develop a float plan including: o Driving route to and from trip o Specific put-in, break & takeout locations on a chart/map if possible / emergency take outs o Daily schedules with approximate times o Contingency plans for bad weather, special health needs, problems or equipment failures. Plans should include evacuation routes. o Identify trip leaders and participants. Include emergency contact telephone numbers o Emergency contact information for local rescue, governmental agencies for the chosen trip and designated emergency contact person(s) for the group. o Attach copies of permits and documentation of permissions from private landowners when appropriate. Make assignments to secure the necessary permits and permissions. Develop a planning and orientation outline when appropriate. Include organizational, classroom and on water sessions. If no paddling orientation is planned, determine methods to verify skills and experience. With group input, determine trip rules for acceptable behavior being a requirement. Determine meals and cooking assignments, if any. Discuss personal and group equipment. Make assignments for specific group equipment. Secure medical releases and parental permissions. Discuss site-specific concerns. Organize transportation and shuttles. Include use of possible outfitters or livery services. Trip Hazards and Prevention Environmental Hazards o Air and water temperature, sunburn o Hypothermia/Hyperthermia o Weather/lightning o Topography/shoals o Local hazards Dynamics o Tidal Currents o Tides o Winds, fetch o River Currents o River mouths Straight channel Bends Right angle corners Refracting waves o Eddies o Waves, chop, swell Specific Hazards
o Access and egress conditions o Oyster Beds o Sand bars and other features o Wrecks o Weeds o Debris and logjams o Manmade obstructions o Bridge abutments o Entrapments o Disabled paddler o Boat traffic Difficulty of classification systems Prevention- reduce risk with recognition, avoidance and or management o Proper planning and pre-trip hazard identification o Proper skill training (first aid knowledge). o Scouting. Don t go where you don t know. o Always reassessing changing conditions o Towing, when and how o Just say no if uncomfortable. Better safe than sorry. Challenge by choice Personal and Group Safety Equipment Effective communication is key. Risk management issues. Warn and inform. o PFD-right type and size o Appropriate paddling clothes plus spares o Dry bags, water proof containers and packs o Appropriate foot wear o Night lighting and signal devices as appropriate and required by law. o Bivy bag, ground cloth, etc. o Survival kit (knife, matches, etc.) and where to carry what e.g. on your person o o Personal items including sunscreen, meds, hygiene products, plenty of food& water o Items NOT to bring e.g., glass containers. Boats properly outfitted. o Hatches/covers o Bailers and sponges o Bulkheads o Flotation materials and float bags o Foot braces, seating, deck lines Group o Adequate first aid kit(s). o Kayak repair kit for use on/off water o VHFs, cell phones (several), flares, dye, smoke etc. o Bivouac Kit o Tow bags-rescue ropes o Chart, Map and compass o Emergency Group Shelter o Spare paddles, food & water o o Water purification Bio breaks and Sanitation equipment Debrief and discuss day two preparations, boats, gear etc. End day one, or at IT discretion an evening session, homework etc. Schedule - Day Two The Put-in Talk/ Pre launch briefing Discuss weather and water temperature for the day Review trip plan for day including known hazards and plans to deal with them. Review paddling partner and buddy boat assignments
Discuss responsibility of buddy boats, lead boat and sweep boats and group organization on water Check PFD s for size and fit Check each boat for safety equipment, extra paddle and that all gear is well secured. Review auditory and visual signals Discuss what to do in the event of a capsize, the responsibility of the individual and the group. Discuss lost paddler procedures/scenario. Make sure wet exit procedure is clear and demonstrate/test as appropriate. Review etiquette and outdoor ethics Review of Basic Paddling Skills (on water) Strokes o Forward o Back o Draws o Sculling o Sweeps o Braces o Rudder Maneuvers o Forward: boat moves in a straight line o Reverse: boat moves in a straight line o Edging: boat turns by edge control o Stopping in 3 to 4 strokes o Look back brace underway o Brace turns o Sideslips, draws on the move Water Reading and Route Determination Beaufort Scale River Mouths and headlands Use of eddies Weather awareness Rescue Principles of Rescue discussion and on water demo/practice. Priorities People or boats/gear depending on conditions. Don t lose boat. Responsibilities of Victim Responsibilities of Rescuers Responsibilities of the Group Self defense; bracing, rolling, wet exits, swimming with boat and paddle Rescues on-water Back Deck and bow hug Towing with rigs Towing Injured paddler Contact Tows T Rescues Paddle Float Re enter and roll w/float Sling assisted Scoop Hand of God Eskimo, bow and paddle Boat and recovery and repair Bulldozing, herding, cowtails Rafting up for repairs on water Conclusion & Wrap Up Importance of safety and trip leader responsibility Avoid and manage risks as much as possible Incident reporting Additional training in advanced first aid, maintaining CPR certification Take ACA/BCU courses Making things fun with games etc. Administer written exam Evaluation of course by participants
Assessments of participants by Instructor References Sea Kayaking Safety and Rescue by John Lull Safety and Rescue by Alderson and Pardy Performance Sea Kayaking by Performance Video
Coastal Kayak Day Trip Leading Assessment Exam Please do not mark on this test. Note your answers on the attached answer sheet and submit both to the Instructor Trainer upon completion of the exam. Boat Handling 1. The power face of the blade is used on the reverse sweep. TRUE FALSE 2. Weather-cocking occurs most often when: A. Paddling a boat that is overloaded B. Paddling in beam winds C. Paddling into the wind D. Paddling a boat that is too light in weight 3. A participant wants a sea-worthy sea kayak that will maneuver well. Which boat would you suggest: A. 18 foot long, no rocker B. 16 foot long, with rocker C. 17-6 long, hard chine, straight keel, Swede form D. 12 Recreational kayak 4. The widest part of a kayak is called: A. Freeboard B. Draft C. Bilge D. Beam E. None of the above 5. Your participant has trouble paddling in the wind. What method/technique would you suggest to compensate for weather-cocking with the wind coming from the starboard beam? A. Edging your boat by lifting with the left knee while paddling forward B. Executing a strong sweep stroke on the down-wind side every other stroke C. Executing a strong sweep stroke on the up-wind side every few strokes D. Both A and C 6. What stroke moves/slips the boat sideways while underway? A. Duffek B. Cross-bow draw C. Stationary draw D. Low brace on the move
7. You want to turn your kayak left. Which of the following would be the best choice? A. Sweep on the right, J-lean by lifting the right knee up B. Sweep on the left, J-lean by lifting the left knee up C. Sweep on the right, J-lean by lifting the left knee up D. Sweep on the left, J-lean by lifting the right knee up 8. Feathering your paddle offers more resistance when paddling into a headwind TRUE FALSE 9. For maximum support and stability in beam seas, make sure you: A. Lean into the waves and time your stroke or brace to coincide with an approaching wave crest B. Lean away from the wave and lift your paddle into the air C. Lean away from the approaching waves and time your stroke to coincide with an approaching trough D. Keep your boat flat and paddle with a higher shaft angel 10. On the recovery phase of the in-water draw stroke, how should your powerface be oriented? A. Facing the bow of the boat B. Facing your hip C. Facing the stern of the boat D. Facing away from the boat 11. With no wind or current, if your kayak is tracking perfectly straight and you edge your kayak by J-leaning and lifting your right knee, which way will the kayak turn A. To the right B. To the left C. Depends on how your blade is feathered D. It won t turn at all 12. On a high brace, your hands and arms should be positioned as follows: A. Hands up near shoulders, elbows down B. Hands up above shoulders, elbows down C. Hands down near cockpit, elbows up D. Hands up near shoulders, arms out from body 13. A skeg may do all of the following except: A. Aid in tracking in beam seas B. Enhance turning capabilities C. Retract into a skeg box D. Allow your boat to have solid foot braces
Marine Environment 1. A moderate tidal current running against an onshore breeze can: A. Smooth the sea surface B. Create steeper waves and rougher sea conditions C. Cause whirlpools and overfalls D. Reverse the apparent tidal current direction 2. Which of the following coastal features/condition would pose the greatest hazard to a sea kayaker? A. Crossing a river mouth during an ebb tide and an onshore breeze B. Crossing a river mouth during a flood tide and an onshore breeze C. Crossing a river mouth at slack tide and a full moon D. Crossing a sand bar during slack tide 3. What combination of characteristics determines wave height? A. Wind speed, depth of water and water temperature B. Wind speed, wind velocity and fetch C. Wind speed, duration and fetch D. Wind speed, barometric pressure and duration 4. How many hours are there between high and low tide, in an area with a semidiurnal tide cycle? A. 5 ¾ hours B. 6 ¾ hours C. 6 ¼ hours D. 12 hours 5. Slack tide generally occurs: A. Half-way between high and low tide B. Half-way between low and high tide C. About 1 hour before, to 1 hour after, a high or low tide D. 3 hours after a high or low tide 6. During which phase of the moon is a spring tide commonly associated with? A. Waning lunar gibbous B. Full moon C. Full and new moon D. None of the above, it depends on the time of the year 7. A thunderstorm is associated with which cloud type? A. Cirrus B. Stratocumulus C. Cirrostratus D. Cumulonimbus E. Altocumulus
8. What would be the safest place to seek shelter during a storm with lightning? A. In a sparsely wooded area B. In an area of low trees near an area of high trees C. In an open field at its highest point D. In an old reinforced concrete bunker along the shore 9. The time that has lapsed between seeing lightning and hearing thunder is 15 seconds. How far off is the storm? A. 15 miles B. 5 miles C. 3 miles D. 1 mile 10. What wind speed would you expect to start seeing whitecaps? A. 1-3 knots (Force 1) B. 4-6 knots (Force 2) C. 7-10 knots (Force 3) D. 22-27 knots (Force 6) E. 28-33 knots (Force 7) 11. A 3-foot wave is headed toward a gradually sloping beach. At what water depth will the wave break? A. 1 foot B. 4 ½ feet C. 6 feet D. 7 ½ feet E. None of the above 12. What hazard is most often associated with shallow, rocky shoals? A. Marine life B. Fog development C. Whirlpools D. Breaking waves E. None of the above 13. Generally speaking, your greatest environmental hazard would be: A. Steep beaches causing large dumping waves B. Cold water C. Fog D. Sharks E. Strong tidal currents
Safety and Rescue 1. What does the U.S. Coast Guard require of all manually propelled craft when paddling on U.S. waters between sunset and sunrise? A. No requirements B. Type I, II, III, or V PFD, audible signal, some form of night distress signal (i.e. 3 aerial flares), and a white light C. Type IV PFD, orange smoke and a strobe light D. Type I, II, III, or V PFD with attached whistle, white light and a VHF radio 2. When paddling in foggy conditions or limited visibility, you should always: A. Set up tow-lines between clients B. Maintain voice contact with your clients C. Spread your group out to avoid collisions D. Keep your group tight in order to maintain both visual and verbal contact with all of your clients 3. The Coast Guard always monitors VHF channel: A. 22 B. 12 C. 16 D. 1 4. A hand-held VHF marine radio could allow you to: A. Contact the Coast Guard B. Contact another vessel within line of sight C. Obtain a NOAA weather report D. Both A and B E. All of the above 5. What sea kayak rescue would be the most effective for someone with a shoulder injury or suffering from exhaustion? A. Paddle-float self rescue B. T-Rescue C. Scoop Rescue D. Cleopatra s Needle Rescue E. Re-enter and roll 6. When would you use a cow tail tow over a long tow line in a towing situation? A. Never, using a cow tail, it is considered an animal cruelty issue. B. Only in following seas. C. When you have an incapacitated paddler and no one else to help with an assisted tow. D. For short distances. E. C and D
7. Which of the following is not the preferred sea kayak rescue? A. T-Rescue B. H-I Rescue C. Bow Rescue D. Capistrano Flip E. T-X Rescue F. Paddle float self rescue 8. Which of the following factors listed below will affect your choice of rescue? A. Water temperature B. Sea state C. Kayak Buoyancy D. Amount of equipment on/in swamped boats E. All of the above. 9. PFD s should be: A. Safely secured on deck and quickly accessible B. Used as a cushion for seating on shore C. Worn and zipped at all times D. Used at the end of a paddle during a paddle-float self rescue E. Both A and D 10. What type of PFD are sea kayakers required to carry on coastal waters according to the Coast Guard? A. Type I B. Type II C. Type III D. Type IV E. Both A and B F. Either A, B or C 11. What wind speed is typically the maximum you would expect a complete beginner to be able to handle without too much frustration or risk of accident on their first day of instruction? Which kind of boat? A. 5 knots B. 10 knots C. 15 knots D. 20 knots E. 25 knots
12. To determine if you are on a collision course with another vessel (assuming you are maintaining the same course and heading), you can use the following technique: A. Watch the vessel s angle relative to your bow if it does not change over time, you are on a collision course B. Watch the vessel s angle relative to your bow if it moves forward over time, you are on a collision course C. Watch the vessel s angle relative to your bow if it moves aft over time, you are on a collision course D. None of the above will work 13. When paddling in a shipping lane: A. Assume the right-of-way, as manually propelled craft have right-of-way over all other vessels B. Give way only to vessels under sail, as manually propelled craft have right-of-way over all motorized vessels C. Stay clear of all vessels, as manually propelled craft do not have right-of-way in shipping lanes D. Stay clear of shipping lanes at all times and if you must cross them, do so at right angles with utmost haste and caution E. Both C and D 14. What sea kayak rescue would be most effective for someone on a guided tour in good physical condition, in warm water and this is their first experience? A. Paddle-float self rescue B. T or TX Rescue C. Scoop Rescue D. Re-enter and roll
Number CKTLA Exam ANSWER SHEET Candidate ACA Workshop Date(s) Instructor Trainer/Assessor : BOAT HANDLING 1. TRUE FALSE 2 A B C D 3. A B C D 4. A B C D E 5. A B C D 6. A B C D 7. A B C D 8. TRUE FALSE 9. A B C D 10. A B C D 11. A B C D 12. A B C D 13. A B C D MARINE ENVIRONMENT 1. A B C D 2. A B C D 3. A B C D 4. A B C D 5. A B C D 6. A B C D 7. A B C D E 8. A B C D 9. A B C D 10. A B C D E 11. A B C D E 12. A B C D E 13. A B C D E Please circle your answers SAFETY AND RESCUE 1. A B C D 2. A B C D 3. A B C D 4. A B C D E 5. A B C D E 6. A B C D E 7. A B C D E F 8. A B C D E 9. A B C D E 10. A B C D E F 11. A B C D E 12. A B C D 13. A B C D E 14. A B C D Test Scoring Boat Handling: / 13 Marine Environment: / 13 Safety & Rescue: / 14 Total Score: / 40 36 / 40 = Passing This answer sheet is to be submitted, by the facilitating Instructor Trainer, in conjunction with the Certification Course report form.