Safety Guidelines and Emergency Resources

Adequate preparation is critical to safe paddling. Be sure everyone on board has the training, skill and experience, including self-rescue and assisted rescue experience. Learn as much as you can about the route and any hazards by scouting ahead of where you’ll be boating. Keep a sharp lookout for other paddlers and navigation hazards, such as logs, strainers, and submersed rocks. Pick clean lines and learn to “read the river.”

Life Jackets

The single most important piece of protective equipment is a life jacket (also known as a PFD, personal flotation device). Wearing a PFD will help retain body heat and keep your head above the water. Paddlers are required to have a properly fitting, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person on board if operating a canoe, kayak, raft or boat 16 feet in length or less. All children 12 and younger are required to wear a life jacket when the boat is underway. Remember, life jackets only work if you wear them. The chance of putting one on if your craft capsizes in a swift moving river is nearly impossible.

Training and Self-Rescue

Paddling education will help you gain experience and learn how to use your strokes, read the river and how to communicate on the water. Learn self-rescue, how to rescue others and practice, practice, practice. If your boat capsizes, float with your feet in front, pointing downstream. Don’t fight the current. Use your arms like oars and “steer” toward the bank. Let the current help carry you. Do your best to stay calm and relaxed. Save your energy for exiting where you can.

Swimming Safety

All rivers have strong currents and hazards underneath the surface posing dangers to swimmers. Even though air temperature is warm in the summer months, the water is fed by snow melt and cold year-round. Even strong swimmers need to know their limitations. Don’t swim alone, wear a life jacket and do not drink alcohol because it dehydrates the body and lowers core body temperature, making swimmers more susceptible to hypothermia and muscle cramping.

Emergency Contact Information

POLICE, FIRE, MEDICAL EMERGENCY CALL 9-1-1
Clackamas County Non-Emergency 503-665-8211
Multnomah County Non-Emergency 503-823-3333
Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center www.legacyhealth.org or 503-674-1122
National Weather Service www.nws.noaa.gov
Paddling.net www.paddling.net/guidelines
Oregon State Marine Board Safety Page www.boatoregon.com/Safety/index.html
http://www.boatoregon.com/OSMB/paddlecraft/paddlecraft.shtml
American Canoe Association www.americancanoe.org/

You’re Responsible!

It is the responsibility of every river user to protect this incredible resource. Appropriate, low-impact use of the Sandy will ensure it stays healthy and beautiful for the future.

Respect Private Property

While the river is a public resource, it should be assumed that property is “private” unless otherwise noted. Respect all “No Trespassing” and “No Hunting” signs (see Navigability section). With increased access, the number of paddlers on the Sandy River will increase. Adopting the following principles can help preserve the future of the river for others.

Leave No Trace

Please review these principles and be sure to learn more about the “Leave No Trace” training opportunities in your area. Leave a site cleaner than you found it.

Plan Ahead and Prepare

• Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you will visit.
• Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
• Schedule your trip to avoid times of peak use.
• Repackage food to minimize waste.

Minimize Campfire Impacts

• Use campfire amenities in designated parks or use a stove.
• Know the Law – Visit http://www.pnwfireprevention.com to learn more.

When On Land, Camp and Travel Lightly

• Look for durable surfaces and stay on designated trails to prevent damaging sensitive areas.

Respect Wildlife

• Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach animals or feed them. Feeding wildlife can be bad for their health, their behavior and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
• Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and securing your trash.

Be Considerate of Other Users

• Respect other visitors – keep the noise level down and travel in small groups.
• Yield to others – when on the river, communicate with other users. Do not block access to a line or rapid. When on land, allow room for additional boaters who come in behind you.
• Let nature’s sights and sounds prevail – avoid the use of bright lights, radios, electronic devices and other intrusive objects in camp and while on shore.