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General
Information on Planning and Conducting Trips
The following leadership guidelines are
from the Leadership Manual
and were developed to help you run enjoyable, safe, interesting trips.
Please read them carefully. Call the committee chair if you have any
questions.
| Advance Preparation
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- Select a trip that suits your
skills and comfort level: physical fitness, organizational skills,
party size, paddling and rescue skills.
- Scout the trip if
possible/appropriate, especially the longer or higher skill level trips.
- Calculate tides and currents;
allow at least one-half hour at put-in to get everyone organized,
outfitted and in the water. Be conservative and cautious.
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| Changes and
Cancellations |
- Sometimes changes in published
trips are necessary. You must notify your participants and all other
parties involved ASAP about changes.
- If you cannot lead the trip,
and cannot find a substitute, please
notify all parties involved as soon as possible so that they have a
chance to find another trip and/or cancel their boat-rental
reservations.
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| Before the Trip
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- Leave details of your trip
with a responsible person.
- Have with you the telephone
number of the Mountaineers Emergency Pager, county sheriff,
nearest Coast Guard or other appropriate authority.
Carry change or credit card number for a phone call.
- Check the weather report,
preferably NOAA, as close to your departure time as possible.
- Verify that the participants
have the required skill level and have
taken the Sea Kayaking Course or have equivalency. If you are not
comfortable with a participant, you may refuse them and suggest another
trip. The Committee and the club will back you.
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| Beginning of the Trip
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- Introduce yourself and have
all participants introduce themselves.
- Ask those with health problems
that can affect their participation to speak with you privately.
- Select a lead person, rear
guard and a first aid person. Identify those with medical or first aid
experience (MOFA for Sea Kayakers).
- Briefly outline the trip: use a
map; cover tides, currents, distances,
and stopping points. Point out and discuss any difficult areas.
- Scan the group for lack of
equipment or preparation.
- If someone is unprepared, will
cause problems or endanger the group, you may leave them
behind. The Committee and the Club will back you.
Talk to the individual privately to avoid embarrassment. If the
individual refuses to comply, get witnesses.
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| Trip Safety Issues
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- Be prepared to abort the trip
if it becomes dangerous or the skill level exceeds that advertised.
- Remember that many participants
do not have your skills or stamina. Do
not increase the skill level or length beyond that advertised, even if
the group wants to vote on it - peer pressure is dangerous.
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| After the Trip
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- Nobody leaves until all
participants and their equipment are out of the water.
- Make sure all the cars start.
- Make sure that you have all
information from them to complete your trip report form.
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