SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

Hazards, risk prevention and course of action in case of accidents at Baltic Canoe Slalom Cup 2012.

Some examples on hazards, that can cause injury, damage to health or death:

Hazards on river: 

• Competitor may drown or suffer from hypothermia when the boat capsizes or fills with water.

• Competitor has to take into account that water flow speed can vary significantly which may cause a capsize.

• Fallen trees in the river are a great hazard, especially in places with rapid current. Bumping into a fallen tree can break a boat, cause it to capsize or cause the competitor to become stuck in the branches. Becoming stuck in branches may result in death by drowning.

• Depending on water level, there can be stones in the river, which cannot be seen and bumping into them may cause the boat to capsize or break.

Competition course:

• The competition course qualifies as class 2-3 whitewater in flood and contains big rocks, fast water flow, medium waves, strong back current behind big rocks, and a medium drop before the finish. Required skill level: experienced paddler.

• The organizer will attempt to eliminate all dangerous fallen trees from the course.

• The rapids continue after the finish line and there may be fallen trees or other hazards.

• There are no safety persons on shore during training times. Each team is responsible for their own safety.

• When a competitor finishes, he/she must wait in boat until the next competitor finishes. If necessary, the competitor must help capsized competitors.

• If the competitor capsizes and exits the boat, it is recommended to swim to the right bank of the river.

• Recommended skill: eskimo roll.

• During the competition a judge at the finish line has a throw bag to help capsized competitors.

Risk prevention and alleviation:

• The competitor is obliged to personally assess all risks and evaluate his/her abilities to cope with the risks on the course.

• The competitor must quit the competition when he/she estimates, that he/she is not able to continue the race safely.

• The competitor may paddle on the slalom course only if he/she is be able to reach the riverbank in case of capsize (the competitor must be able swim).

• Every competitor is obliged to wear a properly fastened personal flotation device.

• Every competitor is obliged to wear a helmet.

• Every competitor is obliged to wear appropriate clothing to prevent hypothermia when swimming in cold water.

Course of action in case of accidents
In case of accidents, damage to health or injuries which make the competitor unable to move and/or require immediate medical assistance, the following has to be taken into account:

• The scene of the accident will most probably be first reached by other competitors. Every competitor is committed to help injured person.

• It is the responsibility of all competitors to inforn organizers about accidents. The competitor must remain with the injured person in order to provide assistance.

• Depending on the situation, organizers will arrange either arrival of ambulance and/or transport of the casualty to the competition center.

• Arrival of ambulance to remote places on the river can take long time!