Wild River operating procedures 26 October 2020
This document will be reviewed on a regular basis and more specifically:
- When there is a change to government guidance.
- After activities or courses have been run for the first time.
This document is meant as an addition to the existing Wild River operating procedure.
General
Coaching sessions can only take place if staff and participants strongly believe that:
- They have not come into contact with the corona virus as described in government guidelines. All participants will confirm this verbally prior to the start of the course.
- They are very confident that they can complete the activity whilst following the rules of social distancing. This will be checked through pre-course booking information, pre-course information and where necessary, discussions.
- Wherever possible social distancing protocols will be maintained. This will be part of the daily briefing
- Masks will be available throughout the day for staff. Participants are asked to bring their own mask
- Staff will use hand washing gels throughout the day. We ask that participants bring their own gel. This will follow the most recent government guidance
- The structures in place to manage the risk of infection will be communicated to all participants at time of booking
- Staff will continue to manage risk to a low level as normal. They should consider activities that involve swimmer rescue carefully
- All participants will be asked to confirm that they are not (to the best of their knowledge) carrying the Covid 19 virus at the start of the course.
- I have read the additional operating procedures relating to Covid 19. I understand them and agree to follow them.
- I have not been infected or shown symptoms of Covid-19.
- No one in my household has been infected or shown symptoms of Covid-19.
- Neither myself or anyone in my household is in the vulnerable or extremely vulnerable categories, as defined in the current UK Government advice.
- If I believe I have contracted the virus within 3 weeks of the end of the activity, I will inform Wild River immediately.
- Prior to attendance participants will be sent a precise list of equipment needed. This must be returned so that equipment needs can be planned for.
- Course information will inform students of the need to take equipment home as much as possible if the course is more than a single day. This relates specifically to borrowed clothing.
- Activities will be planned to minimise the exchange of equipment throughout the day.
- All Wild River equipment will be either quarantined for 72 hours or disinfected before its next use.
- Staff move equipment to a clear space. Staff then sanitise the equipment with spray.
- Staff and participants may move long, heavy equipment maintaining appropriate distance and spraying any areas touched by staff. If repeated, then staff and students should carry from the same place.
- To return equipment participants will place equipment near to the vehicle. Staff will sanitize it before returning it to the vehicle.
- Use static venues and return trips to avoid shuttles whenever possible.
- Shorten trips so walking or cycling back is an option.
- If all drivers cycle back to the start of the trip social distancing can be maintained.
- A seat in the back of the van, facing backwards, might be a good option.
- If sharing a vehicle, masks should be worn. Hands must be washed prior to entering the vehicle. Vehicles should be sprayed and wiped as necessary.
- Staff might use a household member to collect the van and assist with shuttles.
- All participants in white water will be able to manage themselves as a swimmer if they fall in. Many participants will already have this skill. Those who do not will only be taken to very benign environments.
- It would seem likely that pool drop rivers should be chosen as opposed to continuous ones.
- Areas of white water which could lead to any rescue situation that requires the use of live bait should be avoided.
- Equipment retrieval and return would be seen as a fairly low risk activity. Paddles could be put in the water for participants to collect.
- Pushing boards or boats to the side where the participant rinses their craft would be fairly low risk.
- Clients must be able to get back onto their board unassisted. A gauge of this will be taken in discussion prior to the session. Leashes and buoyancy aids will be employed to make self-rescue as easy as possible.
- It may be possible to use contact tows and maintain a 2m distance when using longer boards.
- Tows on short boards can be done using waist mounted tows or 5m tapes when needed.
- Ideally students should be able to re-enter their sea kayak with use of a paddle float.
- It might be necessary for the instructor to stabilise the end of the participant’s boat whilst they climb in with the aid of a paddle float.
- If necessary journeys can be planned where participants can swim to shore and self-rescue their boat.
- The environment used will be well within participant’s capabilities so the likelihood of capsize is low.
- Students may carry their own pump and sponge.
- Boat to swimmer rescues can be managed with the use of hand washing protocols.
- Participants must be able to re-enter their own canoe with the staff only supporting the canoe.
- Tows can be carried out using painters.
- Activity challenge level should be managed to ensure that the number of capsizes will be kept to a minimum.
- Participants should be able to empty their canoe at the bank. The beach rolling technique could be taught for some areas. Shallow water capistrano would also be a useful tool.
- Should staff need to empty water from a canoe they should work at the end. Royalex canoes with large airbags can be lifted at the end without sliding the canoe across the rescuers boat. This is appropriate for flat water rescues.
- With appropriate hand sanitation available curling a student’s canoe can be appropriate.
- Antiseptic wipes
- Gloves
- Simple plasters
- A good sized wound dressing or sterile absorbent material and tape
- A bag to store dirty stuff
Ratios and group sizes
It is often practical to have smaller group sizes for many activities. However it should be noted that British Canoeing guidelines state that:
"Following recent confirmation with CIMPSA, DCMS and Sport England, British Canoeing is pleased to confirm that the running of qualifications and awards is allowed under the exemption of education and training."
https://www.britishcanoeing.org.uk/news/2020/latest-guidance-for-paddling-in-england
Social distancing
Agreement to risk and compliance with Covid 19 operating procedures
All participants must agree with the following statements prior to the commencement of activity:
I confirm that within the last 14 days:
Equipment management
Moving equipment from the van
The following options are available for the delivery of equipment from the van:
Shuttles
White water rescues and swimming
Equipment that has been rolling around in the water and repeatedly washed is unlikely to allow cross contamination.
Sups
Sea kayak rescue
White water kayaking
Canoes
For all activities Royalex canoes with larger amounts of buoyancy will be used to make self-rescue easier.
First aid
It is industry best practice to allow the student to administer their own first aid. Clients will need to bring their own small first aid kit. Ideally this should be in a dry bag inside a zip lock bag. This should include:
Should CPR become necessary then it should be delivered using the resuscitation council guidelines