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ABCs of PFDs

PFD selection and Coast Guard Approval Ratings for PFDS

Safety

Adventure Medical Kits from NRS

Medical supplies grouped together in clear, resealable waterproof bags. Medical kits made specifically for camping, backpacking, and paddling

Safety

Avoiding Foot Entrapment

Learn what foot entrapment is, how and why it's deadly, and how to avoid it while out on the river. Sometimes swimming is unavoidable.

Safety

Boating Safety for Infants & Small Children

Learn about boating safety for infants and small children. When is it safe to take your kids out on the river, and what should you bring to ensure safety?

Trip Planning, Safety

Boating Safety’s Five Golden Rules

No matter what kind of boating activity you participate in, these five golden rules will go a long way toward ensuring that your trips on the water end safely.

Safety

Cold Shock: 5 Golden Rules for Boating in Cold Water

Cold shock is the leading cause of death in paddlesports. Prevent it with 5 Golden Rules for Boating in Cold Water.

Safety

Cold Water Protection and Hypothermia

Walbridge on the dangers of hypothermia and how to protect yourself.

Safety

Cold-Water Layering

Base, insulating and outer layers allow you to add and remove pieces to match changing conditions, and help your body maintain a safe, comfortable temperature.

How To Choose, Safety

Coming Back Is Mandatory

Learn the limits of your skills and equipment and stay safe.

Safety

Dry Drowning Revisited

Dry drowning can occur on the water and on land. Learn more about it.

Safety

Dry Drowning, by Walt Bammann

An important safety article on laryngospasm ("dry drowning")

Safety

Dry Drowning: An Update

Excellent feedback from readers about this important boating safety issue.

Safety

Dry Drowning: Feedback

Read some user feedback to our original Dry Drowning article and learn the takeaways our readers had to share that helps them stay safe on the water.

Safety

Equipping Your PFD for Rescue

Experienced rescuers equip their life jackets with pulleys, prussics, crib sheets, carabineers and other essential items.

Safety

Fall Boating Safety

Your cold season gear has probably been stored away. Its time to get it out and inspect it to make sure its ready to go.

Safety

Finding Swiftwater Rescue Classes

When things do go wrong, only boaters with swiftwater rescue training can effectively help themselves and others.

Safety

First Aid on the Water

Stop thinking about getting a medical kit for first aid on the water and just do it! You and your paddling partners will be glad that you did.

Safety

High-Water Safety Guidelines

High water can dramatically change rivers and requires that we redouble our ongoing emphasis on safety. Learn more about the guidelines of high-water safety.

Safety

High-Water Wisdom

High-water brings more dangers to your boating. Learn tips to avoid them.

Safety

How Much Risk Should Boaters Take?

Life is about balancing risk and reward, and so is boating.

Safety

How to Adjust a WRSI Helmet

Proper adjustment of your WRSI helmets O-Brace Harness and Interconnect Retention System is essential for your comfort and safety while paddling. Follow these step-by-step instructions to ensure your WRSI helmet is adjusted for optimal comfort and performance on the water.

Safety

How to Catch a Throw Bag

Rescue instructor Jim Coffey shows how to catch and position a throw rope to place minimum strain on you and the on-shore rescuer.

Skills & Tips, Safety

How to Choose the Right Life Jacket

Learn about the types of life jackets most commonly worn by boaters so you can choose the right life jacket for your paddling needs.

How To Choose, Safety

How to Do Live Bait Rescue

Jumping in to rescue a swimmer can sometimes be the best technique. This video from Jim Coffey shows how to perform a live bait rescue.

Skills & Tips, Safety

How to Make a Flip Line

Build your own flip line! Whether you're kayaking, rafting or canoeing, you'll find multiple uses for this easy-to-build webbing sling or guide belt.

Skills & Tips, Safety

How to Make a Shallow Water Crossing

Rescue Instructor Jim Coffey describes techniques that an individual or a group of rescuers can use to safely and efficiently perform a shallow water crossing.

Skills & Tips, Safety

How to Prepare for Medical Emergencies When Boating

Learn how to prepare for medical emergencies when boating, kayaking, or rafting when embarking on journeys that take you outside the 911 system.

Safety

How To Prevent Boating Injuries

Body conditioning, proper technique and equipment prevent injury.

Safety

How to Quickly Coil a Throw Rope

Knowing how to quickly coil your throw rope for a second toss is an essential skill. Heres a trick to help you make a fast, tangle-free second throw.

Safety

How to Restuff a Rescue Throw Bag

Learn how to properly re-stuff a rescue throw bag with this video. This is an essential skill for the rope to smoothly deploy when the bag is tossed.

Safety

How to Stay Warm When Kayaking

Learn what gear to wear to stay warm when boating or kayaking in cold weather and water conditions. Have fun year-round with these tips from Erin Clancey.

Safety

How to Swim in Whitewater

Self rescue by aggressively swimming to shore can be a life-saving maneuver. Rescue instructor Jim Coffey teaches you how to swim in whitewater.

Skills & Tips, Safety

How to Toss a Throw Bag

The rescue throw bag is a must-carry for whitewater. Rescue instructor Jim Coffey shows the best techniques for accurately getting the rope to the swimmer.

Skills & Tips, Safety

How to Understand River Flows

Cubic feet per second (cfs) is one of the key indicators of river or creek conditions. Learn what this means and how it can affect your trip planning.

Safety

Kid Safety

Boating with kids helps instill a love of nature. Learn more about child safety and what to wear and do to prepare them for a lifetime outdoors.

Safety

Know the Ropes

Learn about the important characteristics for ropes used in many boating applications, including the ability to float, its visibility and its strength.

Safety

Lend Me Your Ear—About Kayaker’s Ear

What you need to know about this serious boater health hazard.

Safety

Let’s Stop the Senseless Loss of Life

This helps reinforce the need to wear life jackets, especially when boating in cold water.

Safety

Life Jacket Fiction and Fact

The life jacket is the first line of defense for every paddler. Learn to dispel the misunderstandings, misconceptions and myths about PFDs.

Safety

Life Jackets: Your Second Most Important Safety Item

Lets talk about the second most important safety item you should have on when you go boating. Thats your life jacket, or Personal Flotation Device (PFD).

Safety

New US Coast Guard PFD Approval System

The USCG/Transport Canada Approval System approves PFDs & life jackets for use in U.S. and Canadian waters. Learn its differences from the older system.

How To Choose, Safety

NRS & WRSI’s Response to Virginia Tech’s Whitewater Helmet Study

Every WRSI helmet meets or exceeds the CE 1385 standard for blunt force trauma, the globally accepted measure for whitewater helmet safety. We take all safety questions seriously; we are examining the methodology of the whitewater helmet comparison test from Virginia Tech University.

Safety

Preparing for Cold-Season Boating

How to outfit yourself for cold water boating protection.

Trip Planning, Safety

Preventing Shoulder Injuries

Some helpful tips on preventing boater shoulder injuries.

Skills & Tips, Safety

Putting Rescue Skills to Use on the Water

Rescue expert Jim Coffey shows how swiftwater skills can be put to use on a typical day on the river with a mixed group of kayakers in this video.

Safety

Rafting Put-in Safety Talk

The basics of a good put-in safety orientation for rafters.

Safety

Rescue Bag Basics

Learn how the NRS Rescue Throw Bag, a vital piece of safety equipment required for every boater, can be used to rescue a swimmer or help unpin a boat.

Safety

Rescue Film Series: Ep. 10: Foot Entrapment Intro

Swiftwater rescue instructor Jim Coffey introduces techniques for assessing foot entrapment situations and formulating a plan to assist the victim.

Skills & Tips, Safety

Rescue Film Series: Ep. 3: Swiftwater Swimming

Swimming efficiently in whitewater is essential for self-rescue, rescuing others and building your kayaking, rafting and canoeing confidence.

Skills & Tips, Safety

Rescue Film Series: Ep. 4: Throw Bag Techniques

This video covers throw bag techniques including throwing, safely bringing in the swimmer, bracing, and how to catch and hold the rope if you're the swimmer.

Skills & Tips, Safety

Rescue Film Series: Ep. 5: Victim Contact Techniques

This video covers victim contact techniques for safely paddling, swimming and wading out to the victim

Skills & Tips, Safety

Rescue Film Series: Ep. 6: The Rescue Harness

This video shows you how to safely and effectively use the quick-release rescue harness on your life jacket.

Skills & Tips, Safety

Rescue Film Series: Ep. 7: Live Bait Rescue

This video shows several different live bait techniques and describes the best ways to do them safely

Skills & Tips, Safety

Rescue Film Series: Ep. 8: Boat Extractions

This video demonstrates how to retrieve a pinned kayak or canoe using methods ranging from pushing and pulling to setting up a mechanical advantage system.

Skills & Tips, Safety

Rescue for River Runners: Ep. 1: Getting Started

Learn what gear you need to have with you, from your rescue PFD, protective apparel, throw bags, rescue hardware to first aid kit and communication devices.

Safety

Rescue for River Runners: Ep. 2: Team Strategy

Smart teamwork and preparedness make everyone safer on the river with the swiftwater rescue playbook.

Safety

Rescue PFDs Aren’t For Everyone

Learn about the specialized features of rescue life jackets and PFDs, as well as when they should—and shouldn't—be used.

Safety

Rescue Series: Foot Entrapment Strategies

Swiftwater rescue instructor Jim Coffey introduces foot entrapment strategies for making a rescue, assessing risk for the team, and determining tempo.

Skills & Tips, Safety

Riding the Flood

The dangers of high water boating and how to avoid them.

Safety

River & Rapid Difficulty Ratings

You will encounter two different class rating systems for rivers and their rapids. Learn how these systems differ and where they're most commonly used.

Trip Planning, Safety

The Fine Nine

Preparing yourself to prevent or recover from on-the-water emergencies.

Trip Planning, Safety

What’s in the Water

Excellent resource on microorganisms in backcountry drinking water.

Skills & Tips, Safety

Winter Paddling at its Warmest

Team NRS kayaker Devon Barker-Hicks gives gear recommendations for staying warm while paddling in icy waters.

Trip Planning, Skills & Tips, Safety