Precauciones en los rí­os

Bajar ríos en kayaks es potencialmente peligroso. Todo el que desee jugar en los ríos debe, ante todo, ser un buen nadador. Idealmente, cada remador debe estar preparado para rescatar a sus compañeros. El código de seguridad de American Whitewater Association] es un buen recurso para leer al respecto. A continuación sigue una adaptación del código de seguridad de American Whitewater Association, traducida al español.

Código de Seguridad

Este código ha sido preparado usando la mejor información disponible y ha sido revisado por una amplia variedad de expertos en descenso de aguas blancas. Sin embargo, el código es sólo una colección de guías; los intentos de minimizar el riesgo deben ser flexibles, sin ser constreñidos por un conjunto de reglas rígidas. Las condiciones cambiantes de los ríos y las metas del grupo se combinan con circumstancias impredecibles y pueden requerir procedimientos alternos. Este código no tiene nada que ver con guías o proveedores de servicio en los ríos.

Preparación Personal y Responsabilidad

1. Se un nadador competente, con la habilidad de manejarte bajo el agua.
2. Usa un flotador. Un flotador ajustado ofrece protección a la espalda y los hombros, así como la flotación necesaria para nadar seguramente en aguas blancas.

     Wear a solid, correctly-fitted helmet when upsets are likely. This is essential in kayaks or covered canoes, and recommended for open canoeists using thigh straps and rafters running steep drops.
  4.
     Do not boat out of control. Your skills should be sufficient to stop or reach shore before reaching danger. Do not enter a rapid unless you are reasonably sure that you can run it safely or swim it without injury.
  5.
     Whitewater rivers contain many hazards which are not always easily recognized. The following are the most frequent killers.
        1.
           High Water. The river’s speed and power increase tremendously as the flow increases, raising the difficulty of most rapids. Rescue becomes progressively harder as the water rises, adding to the danger. Floating debris and strainers make even an easy rapid quite hazardous. It is often misleading to judge the river level at the put in, Since a small rise in a wide, shallow place will be multiplied many times where the river narrows. Use reliable gauge information whenever possible, and be aware that sun on snowpack, hard rain, and upstream dam releases may greatly increase the flow.
        2.
           Cold. Cold drains your strength and robs you of the ability to make sound decisions on matters affecting your survival. Cold-water immersion, because of the initial shock and the rapid heat loss which follows, is especially dangerous. Dress appropriately for bad weather or sudden immersion in the water. When the water temperature is less than 50 degrees F., a wetsuit or drysuit is essential for protection if you swim. Next best is wool or pile clothing under a waterproof shell. In this case, you should also carry waterproof matches and a change of clothing in a waterproof bag. If, after prolonged exposure, a person experiences uncontrollable shaking, loss of coordination, or difficulty speaking, he or she is hypothermic, and needs your assistance.
        3.
           Strainers. Brush, fallen trees, bridge pilings, undercut rocks or anything else which allows river current to sweep through can pin boats and boaters against the obstacle. Water pressure on anything trapped this way can be overwhelming. rescue is often extremely difficult. Pinning may occur in fast current, with little or not whitewater to warn of the danger.
        4.
           Dams, weirs, ledges, reversals, holes, and hydraulics. When water drops over a obstacle, it curls back on itself, forming a strong upstream current which may be capable of holding a boat or swimmer. Some holes make for excellent sport. Others are proven killers. Paddlers who cannot recognize the difference should avoid all but the smallest holes. Hydraulics around man-made dams must be treated with utmost respect regardless of their height or the level of the river. Despite their seemingly benign appearance, they can create an almost escape-proof trap. The swimmer’s only exit from the “drowning machine� is to dive below the surface when the downstream current is flowing beneath the reversal.
  6.
     Broaching. when a boat is pushed sideways against a rock by strong current, it may collapse and wrap. this is especially dangerous to kayak and decked canoe paddlers; these boats will collapse and the combination of indestructible hulls and tight outfitting may create a deadly trap. even without entrapment, releasing pinned boats can be extremely time-consuming and dangerous. to avoid pinning, throw your weight downstream towards the rock. this allows the current to slide harmlessly underneath the hull.
  7.
     Boating alone is discouraged. The minimum party is three people or two craft.
  8.
     Have a frank knowledge of your boating ability, and don’t attempt rivers or rapids which lie beyond that ability.
  9.
     Be in Good physical and mental condition, consistent with the difficulties which may be expected. Make adjustments for loss of skills due to age, health, fitness. Any health limitations must be explained to your fellow paddlers prior to starting the trip.
 10.
     Be practiced in self-rescue, including escape from an overturned craft. The eskimo roll is strongly recommended for decked boaters who run rapids Class IV or greater, or who paddle in cold environmental conditions.
 11.
     Be trained in rescue skills, CPR, and first aid with special emphasis on the recognizing and treating hypothermia. It may save your friend’s life.
 12.
     Carry equipment needed for unexpected emergencies, including foot wear which will protect your feet when walking out, a throw rope, knife, whistle, and waterproof matches. If you wear eyeglasses, tie them on and carry a spare pair on long trips. Bring cloth repair tape on short runs, and a full repair kit on isolated rivers. Do not wear bulky jackets, ponchos, heavy boots, or anything else which could reduce your ability to survive a swim.
 13.
     Despite the mutually supportive group structure described in this code, individual paddlers are ultimately responsible for their own safety, and must assume sole responsibility for the following decisions:
        1.
           The decision to participate on any trip. This includes an evaluation of the expected difficulty of the rapids under the conditions existing at the time of the put-in.
        2.
           The selection of appropriate equipment, including a boat design suited to their skills and the appropriate rescue and survival gear.
        3.
           The decision to scout any rapid, and to run or portage according to their best judgment. Other members of the group may offer advice, but paddlers should resist pressure from anyone to paddle beyond their skills. It is also their responsibility to decide whether to pass up any walk-out or take-out opportunity.
        4.
           All trip participants should consistently evaluate their own and their group’s safety, voicing their concerns when appropriate and following what they believe to be the best course of action. Paddlers are encouraged to speak with anyone whose actions on the water are dangerous, whether they are a part of your group or not.