Non-Motorized Boat Operator Course

1. Non-Motorized Boat Operator Course

2. Course Layout Day 1 Classroom Day 2 Boat Orientation/Field

3. Day 1-Classroom Agenda • Background • Objectives • What this course is • What this course is not

4. Day 1-Classroom Agenda • Moving Water • River Channel Characteristics • River Features and Hazard Definitions • Moving Water Classifications • Trip Planning

5. Day 1-Classroom Agenda • Ramp Etiquette • River Navigation Techniques • On the Water Techniques • Rules for Reading and Running Rivers • Environmental Considerations

6. Day 1-Classroom Agenda • Boat Operation • Reasons Why Bad Things Happen • If You Go Overboard • 10 Absolutes of River Rescue • Emergency Equipment

7. Day 2-Field Agenda • Float Plan • Gear Packing • First Aid List • Boat Types • Boat Orientation (types and parts) • Accessories • Maintenance and Care

8. Day 2-Field Agenda • Steering and Maneuvering • Use of safety lines and throw bags • Pulling a swimmer into the boat • Use of Flip Lines/ Righting a boat • Trip Leader Responsibilities • Signals

9. Background • The goal of this module is to provide introductory guidance and orientation to field staff on the appropriate use and hazards involved in using non-motorized watercraft in moving water situations.

10. Objectives • Watercraft reactions to various forces of flowing water • General rules for running rivers • Determining if a section of moving water is safe to run

11. Objectives • Watercraft type, application, and maintenance requirements • Negotiating common maneuvers on moving water • Avoiding common problems and identifying situations

12. What this course is…. • An introductory-level course on safe operation and maintenance of non-motorized boats

13. What this course is not…. • About running whitewater • River rescue

14. So, what is Moving Water? • “Moving Water” refers to rivers, creeks, deltas, tailraces, bayous, canals, etc.. In short, it is any water that has a current.

15. And moving water is measured by.. • Water Flow (aka volume or discharge). Water flow is commonly measured in Cubic Feet per Second (CFS). For instance, 3500 CFS • It is also measured in feet. For instance, 4 feet.

16. River Channel Characteristics • General Channel/Thalweg- deepest part of the river bed.

17. River Channel CharacteristicsContinued • Straight- There is an even depth across the entire channel. The thalweg is often difficult to distinguish.

18. River Channel CharacteristicsContinued • Meandering- A winding waterway. Generally fastest and deepest on the outside of a turn.

19. River Channel CharacteristicsContinued • Braided- Many similar sized channels. Difficult to choose the best route.

20. River Channel CharacteristicsContinued • Entrenched- Confined channel often containing rapids.

21. River Channel CharacteristicsContinued • Width- Greater width decreases power, but often adds complexity

22. River Channel CharacteristicsContinued • Gradient- Amount of drop in river elevation. Steeper gradient increases velocity and thus increases power. A waterfall is an extreme example.

23. River Features and Hazard Definition • Laminar Flow- Main Direction and energy of current flow.

24. River Features and Hazard Definitions Continued • Helical Flow- Flow that is disturbed by the substrate (bottom) or banks of a river. Flow is slowed down and tends to churn in a helical fashion downstream.

25. River Features and Hazard Definitions Continued • Current Vector- Determined by direction of laminar flow. Does not necessarily correlate with river banks.

26. River Features and Hazard Definitions Continued • Pools- Slow, flat water surface. Usually deep. Difficult to detect submerged hazards.

27. River Features and Hazard Definitions Continued • Runs (glides)- Mild elevation change, intermediate velocity, smooth surface, even depth, gradual decrease.

28. River Features and Hazard Definitions Continued • Riffles- Associated with elevation change, higher velocity, rough but consistent surface and depth, some air entrainment.

29. River Features and Hazard Definitions Continued • Rapids- Increased elevation change, high velocity, rough and inconsistent depth and surface, considerable air entrainment.

30. River Features and Hazard Definitions Continued • Tongues- The V-shaped (downstream V) segment of river that occurs between two constricting object.

31. River Features and Hazard Definitions Continued • Eddies- Occur where water is forced to go around an object rather than over it. Causes water to be drawn upstream and can provide a place to rest, stop, scout, or rescue.

32. River Features and Hazard Definitions Continued • Eddy Fences- Demarcation line between the laminar flow and the eddy. Can be higher than the eddy itself, making escape difficult.

33. River Features and Hazard Definitions Continued • Hydraulics- Also known as a “keeper”, “stopper”, or “Maytag”. • When water flows over an object where a depression in water level exists. • This water is then filled in by surrounding water higher than the level of the depression. • Can trap debris, boats, and people. Highly aerated water also makes escape difficult.

34. River Features and Hazard Definitions Continued

35. River Features and Hazard Definitions Continued • Standing Waves- Large, usually symmetrical waves in deep water caused by a major constriction in the river channel.

36. River Features and Hazard Definitions Continued • Pillows or cushions- Lifting water found on the upstream side of obstacles such as rocks. Can be strong enough to ward debris and watercraft from impact.

37. River Features and Hazard Definitions Continued • Undercut banks- Current is usually strong and deep. Be aware that debris may be lodged at angles.

38. River Features and Hazard Definitions Continued • Strainers- A fallen tree or debris (major part underwater) that lets water pass through it but not a solid object.

39. River Features and Hazard Definitions Continued • Sweepers- A tree, log, or other obstruction extending out over the water which can catch the boat or knock a passenger out.

40. Moving Water Classifications • The combinations of all of the river and hazard features, including flow and gradient, determines the difficulty of a river. • The scale used to determine difficulty is called the International Scale of River Difficulty.

41. Moving Water Classifications • Class I- Moving water up to small waves. Passages are clear, no serious obstacles.

42. Moving Water Classifications • Class II- Medium sized regular waves. Passages clear, some maneuvering may be required

43. Moving Water Classifications • Class III- Waves Numerous and irregular. Rocks, eddies, and narrow passages require scouting and maneuvering.

44. Moving Water Classifications • Class IV- Powerful, irregular waves; boiling eddies; dangerous rocks; congested passages; precise maneuvering and scouting required.

45. Moving Water Classifications • Class V- Exceedingly difficult; violent rapids often following each other without interruption; big drops; violent current; counting mandatory and difficult.

46. Moving Water Classifications • Class VI- Limit of navigability; generally considered impossible to run.

47. Alternate Moving Water Classifications • Class I: EasyFast moving water with riffles and small waves. Swimming is pleasant, shore easily reached. Almost all gear and equipment is recovered. Boat is just slightly scratched. • Class II: NoviceStraightforward rapids with wide, clear channels which are evident  without scouting. Swimming to eddies requires moderate effort. Climbing out of river may involve slippery rocks and shrub induced lacerations. Paddles travel great distance downstream requiring lengthy walk. Something unimportant is missing. Boat hits submerged rock leaving visible dent on frame or new gash in plastic.

48. Alternate Moving Water Classifications • Class III: IntermediateRapids with moderate, irregular waves which may be difficult to avoid. Water is swallowed. Legs are ground repeatedly against sharp, pointy rocks. Several eddies are missed while swimming. Difficult decision to stay with boat results in moment of terror when swimmer realizes they are downstream of boat. Paddle is recirculated in small hole way upstream. All personal possessions are removed from boat and floated in different directions. Paddling partners run along river bank shouting helpful instructions. Boat is munched against large boulder hard enough to leave series of deep gouges. Sunglasses fall off.

49. Alternate Moving Water Classifications • Class IV: AdvancedWater is generally lots colder that Class III. Intense, powerful but predictable rapids requiring precise swimming in turbulent water. Swimming may require 'must' moves above dangerous hazards. 'Must' moves are downgraded to 'strongly recommended' after they are missed.  Sensation of disbelief experienced while about to swim large drops. Frantic swimming towards shore is alternated with frantic swimming away from shore to avoid strainers. Rocks are clung to with death grip. Paddle is completely forgotten. One shoe is removed. Hydraulic pressure permanently removes waterproof box with all the really important stuff. Paddle partners running along stream look genuinely concerned while lofting throw ropes 20 feet behind swimmer. Paddle partners stare slack-jawed and point in amazement at boat which is finally pinned by major feature. Climbing up river bank involves inverted tree. One of those spring loaded pins that attaches watch to wristband is missing. Contact lenses are moved to rear of eyeballs.

50. Alternate Moving Water Classifications • Class VI: ExpertNot recommended for swimming.