Canoe Tripping Skills Advanced Tandem and Solo

Aim
This Advanced Canoe tripping course builds on the canoeist camping skills, and introduces group dynamics, group management, food preparation and storage, for extended trips.

Rescue techniques at this level incorporate the use of a paddling partner and it is essential for all Introduction to Canoe tripping certified paddlers to travel on the water with others who have been trained in the techniques of assisted rescues as the rescuers.

Upon Successful Completion
The Canoe Tripping Skills Advanced Tandem and Solo is certified to:

Teach the following courses:
Not Applicable

Assist and/or Apprentice (Mentorship) on the following courses:
Not Applicable

Prerequisites
Introduction to Canoe tripping, or equivalent skills, and a minimum of 4 logged/journal overnight trips, and appropriate venue course.

If leading trips on moving water, must have skill level to match the level of moving water travelling. 

Recommend 36 or more Wilderness First Aid Course

Course Length
A minimum of 4 days plus 2 night camping trip is required. Candidates should lead for a minimum of half a day each.

Class Ratio
1 Instructor : 10 Participants

Location
Venue specific to instructor and participate qualifications.
This course can be partly conducted off water.

Conditions
Venue specific to instructor and/or participate qualifications.

Program Overview
Safety & Rescue
Theory:

• Review as required Intro to Canoe tripping Theory
• Pre Trip Planning, see Knowledge Section
• Safety & Rescue Considerations in Remote Areas
• Emergency Ground Evacuation
• Emergency Air Evacuation
• Emergency Shelter Construction
• Missing Person Search

Practical:

• Review Intro to Canoe tripping Practical
• Solo Canoe Rescues (self, towing, etc.): in controlled situations, gear tie in options (tethered vs secured), stay with the boat
• Multiple Canoe Rescue (ie. two swamped canoes)
• Canoe Modifications for Victim Evacuation
• Unconscious Victim Retrieval
• Camping Skills
• Review as required Intro to Canoe tripping Camping Skills
• Packing (extended for remote area and longer duration)
• Loading and Packing a Canoe (incl. trim, etc.)
• Advanced Portaging (incl. trail maintenance)
• Campsite Selection (backcountry conditions)
• Tarps and Shelters (including canoe shelter and bug shelters)
• Menu Planning and Pre-food Preparation
• Camp Cooking (reflector oven, dutch oven, etc.)
• Fire Building (difficult conditions)
• Axe, Saw, & Knife Handling & Maintenance
• Knots (Figure Eight, Butterfly, Fishermans, Prusik Loop, clove-hitch) and Lashing
• Human Waste Management (latrines, catholes, portable, etc.)
• Garbage (extended for remote area and longer duration)
• Knowledge
• Solo and Specialty Canoe tripping Canoes (features, etc.)
• Rigging a Canoe tripping Canoe for longer periods (portage pads, etc)
• Tracking, Lining, and Wading (including bridles, etc.)
• Sails
• Personal Gear (extended to remote and longer trips)
• Group Gear (extended to remote and longer trips)
• Kits (repair, first aid, survival)
• Equipment Repair (canoes, paddles, tents, packs, etc.)
• Leave No Trace (LNT)
• Navigation (map reading, compass use, GPS, low light conditions, fog, natural direction indicators, etc.)
• Communication Signals & Devices
• Advanced Trip Planning (pre, trip plan, float plan, risk and crisis management, post trip evaluation, etc.)
• Trip Reports (log, journal, pre-, during, post-, etc.)
• Trip Leadership, Crew Responsibilities, Expedition Behaviour, Maintaining Group Harmony, etc.
• Weather Reading, Resources, Trends, etc.
• Canoe Routes and Resources
• Abiotic (identification, information, and resources on non-living features)
• Biotic (identification, information, and resources on living things, survival food & medicines, etc.)
• Cultural (historical canoe routes, Canadian Heritage Rivers System)
• Participation of a Canoe Trip (min. 2 nights)

Assessment
Activities will be focus on individual safety and comfort. While there is a great deal to learn at this level, the activities should concentrate on personal development, meeting client needs, environment, and an awareness of the need for future learning. Paddlers should leave the course empowered and motivated to canoe trip. They should understand their individual limitations and responsibilities, and be aware of resources that can help grow their skill and knowledge.