Going down the river safely | Corewell Health

With winter ending and warmer spring and summer temperatures on the horizon, many are excited to get back to outdoor activities.

Boating and kayaking often top the list once the ice melts, as many local rivers and streams are never completely covered in ice.

However, outdoor adventure seekers should exercise caution when settling in for the first float of the season.

Matthew AxtmanDOis a sports physician at Corewell Health in western Michigan and an avid kayaker.

He and his family have plenty of experience kayaking in cold water, so he shared some tips on how to be safe on the river.

Spring Safety Considerations

“Kayaking in semi-ice-covered streams and rivers is very popular and a fun pastime,” he said. “But it’s important to be prepared if problems arise along the way.”

Dr Axtman said river temperatures are often close to freezing in early spring and even a few minutes in cold water can be dangerous.

“The most important thing is to look at your surroundings and assess the safety risks,” Dr. Axtman said. “Now is when the rivers are rising and the snow is melting, so some of these rivers are moving much faster.”

He said to be aware of the water flow, river speed and weather conditions before planning a kayaking trip because it is easy to get caught quickly in fast moving water, especially at the start of the season. the season.

If you haven’t kayaked since last season, expect to come across fallen trees during the winter, he said.

“You’ll see a lot of downed trees in the water, so be aware of your surroundings. A lot could have completely changed since the last time you were on that same river.

He said bringing an experienced kayaker on your first outing is a good idea.

And take it easy at first.

“Be comfortable with who you’re kayaking with,” he said. “If you’re a seasoned kayaker, don’t take a novice on a fast or high river.”

A frightening experience

Dr Axtman said a few years ago that he went out with his wife and children on the Rogue River and had a very frightening near death experience.

“The water was high and moving fast,” he said. “As we came around a bend there was a huge tree blocking about 85% of the river. We had to book it on the other side of the river and ended up hitting the tree and completely flipping our kayak over .”

He and his wife quickly grabbed one of their daughters.

“I got knocked down, went under the kayak and floated quite far down the river,” he said. “Our other two daughters made it to the side safely while my wife dislodged the kayak and headed to the side as well.”

“I was about 100 yards downriver and ended up losing a shoe, sunglasses, a hat and a phone.”

Dr Axtman said he and his family were completely drenched and very cold.

“Unfortunately, we still had a long way to go until the end, but we made it safely with no more obstacles.”

Dr Axtman said it had been a rough day on the river and another group got stuck in the same spot later in the day.

He said the rivers flowed at a rapid pace in early spring.

“I’m an experienced swimmer and kayaker and I couldn’t even make it back up the river when my kayak capsized,” he said. “You’d rather go out and have your life.”

Advice from a professional

Dr. Axtman emphasized the importance of life jackets and said it’s a good idea to physically wear your life jacket in the spring rather than just carrying it around.

“No matter your experience level or how deep the water is, bring life jackets.”

Let someone know if you’re going on a longer trip – let them know where you’re leaving and when you’re due back. He also said bringing a partner with him can be helpful.

“Have someone by your side…another pair of eyes,” he said. “You look at them, and they look at you.”

It’s not a good idea to try solo kayaking in cold weather, he said.

He also said to watch how long you’re going to be away and watch the weather.

“Is your journey only a few kilometers long? Or ten thousand? he said.

Be prepared for an emergency. Bring a first aid kit, even some bandages in a Ziplock bag.

Carry at least one phone in case of emergency and keep it safe in a Ziplock bag attached to the kayak.

He said it’s also important to dress for the cold and for temperatures 20 degrees warmer than outside.

“As you exercise, your heart will pump faster, you will warm up, and your core temperature will rise,” he said. “Wear layers so you can adapt when temperatures change.”

Dr. Axtman also said to wear layers of clothing to adjust to body and outside temperatures, including moisture-wicking clothing – a shirt that can wick moisture away from your body and expel it into the body. environment.

“It will help when cold air hits. For example, a cotton shirt will cling to water, and when cold air hits, it will lower your temperature.

Also bring water to stay hydrated and pack a snack or energy bar to refuel along the way.

He said a lot of people think paddling is just a workout for the arms, but you can kayak in a sweat.

It’s also a great activity for people with arthritis or hip, knee or lower body pain.

“It’s a non-impact activity where you can get a really good workout using your arms, shoulders, core, and core,” he said. “Kayaking is a great cardio workout that will get your heart rate up and impact upper body strength.”