Demonstrate kayaking skills on Grade II water
Unit Standard: 20121 - Theory Test
Level: 2 Credit: 4
Candidate Name:
1.
Describe the characteristics of different rapid grades in terms of hazards, difficulty involved with paddling a safe line and
potential consequences if things go wrong
Grade
1
2
3
Hazards
Low hazards, watch out for
Fallen trees, bridge piers
Fast flowing water
Difficulty of Line
Easy
Rocks, hanging logs, medium waves Slight maneuvering is required
fast flowing water
broken water, strong eddies, fast
current fairly high waves
Some obstacles may be in the way and
maneuvering may is required.
Consequences
Risk to swimmers is very little, self rescue
is easy
Easy on the swimmer, assistance may be
required to re-enter.
Swimmers need to be aware of rocks and
on coming rapids, the fall out should always
be assets. Help is required.
Grade
4
Hazards
Difficult rapids with high waves,
boiling eddies, big drops.
5
large drops, terberlunt water, numerous obstacles in main flow.
6
Very fast, large drops. Violent water
fast eddies.
Difficulty of Line
Consequences
It is often difficult to see where the line is Boat and swimmer in quite serious
situation. Swimmer should be thrown a
your maneuvering needs to be precise
line and swim to shore.
dedicated precise and powerful
maneuvering is required.
Only for very experienced.
rocks and other obstacles are very dangerous and should be avoided, the swimmer
may become unconscious or be sucked
under.
Life threatening.
1. Explain what the following hazards are, and their potential effects on a boat and swimmer:
Hazard
What is it?
Effect on Kayaker and boat
Strainers are objects in the water that allow water
through, but not solid objects. It can be natural or
man made. Examples are trees, fences, grates.
Both kayaker and boat can get lodged in the strainer which
can cause the kayaker to drown if unable to be removed
the strainer.
Rock
A boulder that has come loose and fallen into the
river from the cliffs or mountains.
If not avoided a rock can damage the plastic of the boat
and tip the kayaker out. If a kayaker is whacked into a rock
it can damage them, knocking them unconcious
Manmade object
Something humans made in or around the river
such as bridges, fences, weirs
Strainer
Can act as a strainer so can get trapped or lodged in it.
Bridges should be easily avoided but can damage both
human and boat if hit.
A hole is formed when an obstruction is just submerged or semi-submerged has water water flowing
over and around it and then recirculating back up
stream.
Boat can nose into it and get stuck if not approached
right way and it can pull a kayaker underwater.
Undercut/sieve
A rock that has been shaped by the river to cut
deeper in the water than the surface part
Both boat and kayaker can be pulled underneath and trapped in an undercut. They are hard to get out of and it can
cause considerable amount of damage on the boat.
Weir
A low dam built across a river to raise the level of
water upstream create a consistent flow
Must be approached with caution. Normally there is a hole
at the bottom of the weir, so if failed both kayaker and boat
can get damaged
Hole
as with a hole, the recirculation can hold a
kayak or swimmer and the uniform shape
can create a very powerful and inescapable
feature
2. Describe the meaning of the following river signals
River Signal
Meaning
Go, come to me
Go left. Can be used when there is obstructions to the right, the left line is better or it follows
an eddy out sign.
Stop! This can be for several thing such as, someone is out of their boat, river needs to be
scouted or people need to go one at a time.
Help
Go left. Can be used when there is obstructions to the right, the left line is better or it
follows an eddy out sign.
Stop! This can be for several thing such as, someone is out of their boat, river needs to be
scouted or people need to go one at a time.
Go, come to me
Help
Eddie out. This will be followed by a direction
Attention! Look at me
X1
Emergency
X 3 (repeated)
3. Describe one method to avoid each of the following health problems:
Method of Avoidance
Health
problem
Cold water
immersion
Cramps
Sunburn
Blisters
Dislocations
Hypothermia
Head
injuries
Splash face with water before going down a hard rapid, wear warm clothes.
Drink water and stretch, splash face with water so you wont have a higher risk of col water immersion cramps.
Apply sun cream 30 minutes before going into the sun and reapply 15 mins before it runs out, normally 3.5 hrs
Treat hot spots when they arise, strap at risk areas and wear shoes/socks in the kayak.
Keep at risk joints strapped, keep elbows into the body and when rolling don't forget the finish position.
Thermals, dry jacket, spray jacket, hot thermos of drinks. If too cold stop and exit in a safe place and get them
warm and dry.
Wear helmet
Good work, Sarah-May - your answers are concise
and correct - sounds like you know your stuff!