North Avon Canoe Club takes it's White Water Safety very seriously. However, it must be remembered that Canoeing and Kayaking are assumed risk sports. Even with the best coaches in the world, accidents can and do happen. In North Avon Canoe Club we deal with all incidents swiftly and professionally. Our priority is to ensure the safety of the people on the trip. We then spend time rescuing equipment without putting people in further danger.

Trips are run on the following basis:

• All trips are supervised by competent Level 3 Coaches (Senior Instructors)
• Grade 2 rivers should only be attempted by paddlers of at least 2 star standard
• Grade 3 rivers and higher should only be attempted by paddlers of at least 3 star standard
• Each paddler paddles at the discretion of both themselves, and the lead paddler.
• All paddlers are expected to carry a whistle, first aid kit and survival bag.
• Where a throw line is carried, a knife must be carried
• All BCU coaches are trained First Aiders.

It is probably also worth noting that BCU qualified coaches are expected to be carrying the following equipment between the members of the group

• Repair Kit, capable of repairing a large hole in wet conditions
• First Aid Kit
• Adequate Spare Clothing, applicable to the prevailing condition, and suitable for use in exposure bag to prevent hypothermia
• Vacuum Flask or equipment for making a hot drink
• Whistle
• Exposure Bag (min 2m x 1m)
• Torch
• Matches or Lighter
• Spare Paddles
• Throwline
• Karabiners and slings 
  

Young Persons Protection

• We will not readily identify members under 18 on the website.
• Email addresses of those under 18 will not be available on the site, unless specific permission has been given from a parent / guardian.
• Close up photographs of young people will not be used on the site.
• Young people will be identified only by their first names.

For everybody's protection.

• All pictures / photographs will be considered to be of good taste.
• Telephone numbers and addresses will be excluded from the site. If people wish to contact the club they can do so by email. Enough of the committee have access to email to warrant doing this.
• Articles put on the site will be truthful, accurate and will not be offensive to any person inside or outside the club.
• Where incidents have occurred which have involved the emergency services, hospital treatment or may result in insurance claims, no article will be placed on the website until all the facts have been resolved, and there are no outstanding actions.