This is the double nickel Sit. Rep.
1- Some of my favorite music: Handel’s Messiah – The Hallelujah Chorus. Beethoven’s Fifth and Ninth ( IV Movement – Ode To Joy ) Symphonies. J. S. Bach Brandenberg Concertos ( #3 & #5 esp.). Copeland’s Hoe Down & Fanfare For The Common Man, Count Basie’s “Straight ahead” LP/CD (yes all of it), Roundabout by Yes, Pictures At An Exhibition by Mussorgsky (- Emerson, Lake & Palmer did the pop version – also find the classical version), Willie Nelson’s Red Headed Stranger LP/CD, Wild Montana Skies – John Denver & Emmy Lou Harris, and many, many more – maybe I should just stick to artists.
2- An important part of your eye is the Pupil. It is the black part of the eye in the center. The pupil’s main job is to regulate the amount of light that goes into the eye. The Iris part of the eye is the colored part around the pupil. The iris’s muscles expand and contract the pupil.
When on the water, snow, ice, or other bright environments; the iris contracts the pupil to let in less light. When in less light, the iris expands the pupil.
Do not wear very dark sunglasses when on the water. Only slightly dark glasses with polarization are the best. If you wear very dark glasses, the pupil expands and lets in too much energy from the sun (direct and reflected). Remember to wear a glasses strap (retainer) to retain your glasses on your head.
Other parts of the eye: Cornea, Lens, Vitreous Humour, Retina, Sclera.
How the pupils react to light should be noted in your Signs & Symptoms log. Certain medicines and diseases are presented through the pupils.
W- What has no wings or legs and consists entirely of tails?
X- Gossip.
3- This is the best wilderness medicine book that I have read: Under 10 $ used on Amazon. There are several editions – try & get one of either the 5th or 6th edition.
Medicine for the Outdoors: The Essential Guide to First Aid and Medical Emergency by Paul S. Auerbach
4- River strainers and snags are also really dangerous. ( I use the same term for both – some folks use 2 different terms.) Most of the time, they are downed trees with lots of branches that can SNAG you above and below the water level. If you encounter a snag – get away from it. Portage around it. Or make sure that you go over it. Snags may not be visible above the water. Read the water signs. Snags can also be undercuts in the bank where rocks can trap you. I have also heard the term “sweeper” meaning the same kind of hazard.
5- White water safety equipment:
- Low cut water shoes (not over the ankle),
- PFD,
- Bailer (usually a cutout plastic gallon milk jug with a line attached to the boat),
- Spare paddle,
- Rescue lines w/ carabiners,
- Throw bags or Ring buoys with a floating line,
- First aid kits (personal or patrol and troop size),
- Helmet (brain bucket),
- Canoe repair kit or duct tape,
- River knife,
- River map.
Read up and understand the Coast Guard PFD types. What each type of PFD can and cannot do for the person overboard. Here is the link to the US Coast Guard – Recreational Boating Use.
6- Here is a good link with good graphics about river hazards: Please read, study and understand each hazard and how you should react. https://paddling.com/learn/river-hazards/
A- Why does the river watch the news?
B- It wants to stay current.
Be smart & safe,
Gaither