We must remember, however, that kayaking is an adventurous sport and without the element of risk it would not be very challenging. I often recall a quotation from an early edition of the Canoeing Handbook, edited by Geoff Good. In the chapter on safety he wrote "...it is essential that activities of this kind [meaning canoeing/kayaking] should be properly organised. Nothing should be allowed to detract from the spirit of adventure with the handling of small craft, and some element of risk must be accepted; but all reasonable precautions should be taken to reduce the possibility of accidents..." The emphasise is, therefore, on risk reduction rather than risk elimination.

Clearly, members of the PDCC run a greater risk of drowning and being run over by hovercrafts than chess players, but history suggests that they are minor, and manageable risks.

Risk is reduced by :

• proper training;
• using good equipment suitable for the purpose;
• thinking ahead for potential problems and solutions to overcome them;
• maintaining a good level of fitness for the level of kayaking you intend to do; and
• warming up before doing strenuous activities.

Although we can incur all types of injuries in canoeing (such as cuts, drowning, sunburn, and eye damage, to name but a few) the type of injury that I want to focus on is back injuries. I was shocked to realise that injuries to the back are progressive, and not necessarily the result of one particular incident. General wear and tear can accumulate over time as the back is twisted and bent. Eventually something gives because the accumulation of injury, ageing and general misuse decreases the shock absorbing ability of the discs. That’s when the troubles begin, as many paddlers will testify.

So, how can we reduce the risks caused by lifting and twisting ? Unfortunately, if we follow the "official" advice we would have to give up kayaking, and probably shopping as well !!.

The Health and Safety Commission has issued some guidelines on the maximum loads to lift when the load is at different positions. I have reproduced it as the figure shown. These maximum loads should be reduced by 30% if the person is over 55 or a female. Look at the "shoulder height" figures; they say that loads of more than 10kg should not be lifted at shoulder height close to the body.

As I said above, if we are to adhere to all the advice implicit in this figure then we would have to take up another sport, such as tiddly-winks. Nevertheless, being aware of the hazards should make us more cautious and diligent in looking for ways to minimise the risk.

So, before lifting heavy canoes:

• Stop;
• Assess what you are proposing to do;
• Consider alternative ways of doing it with less risk; and
• then do it more safely.

Are you going to carry the canoe to the car, carry them over slippery rocks, lift the canoes onto the roof rack, carry out a rescue? Remember that the dangers arise from:

• lifting heavy loads
• using outstretched arms
• raising loads above the head
• combining lifting actions with twisting actions.

If you are lifting a canoe then, clearly, it is unwise to do it alone. Bearing in mind the twisting effect of lifting and carrying a canoe on ones own, then clearly these guidelines suggest that to carry a canoe, especially a sea kayak, on ones own is definitely not good practice. Another very dangerous practice is the lifting and carrying of a (open) canoe on your shoulders, as shown by Bill Mason in his book "Path of the Paddle".

• Sharing the load. Get some one else to help you with the kayak, or maybe two other people. Remember how heavy a laden sea kayak can be; it may be best to have 4 people carry the kayak.
• If the kayak is particularly heavy, and the ground is uneven or slippery, use a shoulder strap so that the hands are free to guide you, and the load is on the shoulders.
• Spine in Line. When you are lifting look ahead and lift with the thigh muscles. The bent back is asking for trouble so bend your knees.
• Slide and glide. Can you move the kayak by sliding it along the grass or pushing it along a trailer, rather than lifting and carrying it ? Can you use a pulley to lift ?
• Balance the load. Carry the load so that the weight is applied equally to both sides of the body. With river kayaks this might mean carrying two kayaks between the two of you.
• Always consider your posture; straight back when lifting and carrying (tucking in the chin will automatically straighten the back), arms close to the body
• Ensure you have a stable base. Position the feet hip width apart and ensure that your feet are placed to the outside of the object you are carrying to give better balance.
• Check the area through which you are moving the kayak. Is it clear of obstructions so that you do not have to stretch, lift and twist ? Is the ground uneven, slippery, or a sandy or shingle beach? If so, get more help.

Clearly, the new guidelines have important implications, not just for our health and welfare, but for the traditional ways we have done things. Rather than memorising prescribed methods of doing things, it is more important to question the risks and methods we use BEFORE doing anything. As with the wearing of safety equipment, we should make the practice of risk assessment and safe handling in kayaking second nature. Once the principles are understood then safe practises will continue to evolve.

This is a very brief, and incomplete, summary by a non-medical person of the ideas discussed on the BCU course. If you are interested in learning more about it then enrol on one of the sessions that are held around the country. The BCU has prepared a leaflet on the principle called "Injury Prevention in Paddlesport", CB 574 04/06/98, ask them for a copy.

As I said at the beginning of the article, I’m a novice in this subject. I am grateful for Sue and Martin S’s comments on my earlier drafts. If any other readers have ideas, experiences or criticisms on this topic please send them in. It is an issue that is to all of our best interests so let us share ideas.