b'PA D D L E C R A F T I N F O R M AT I O Nthe navigation rules, what equipment you should have with you onAvoid paddling alone: Paddle with a friend or group. You will have the water and how to use it, what to do in an emergency, being ablesomeone that can help you get back in your boat or call for help if to right and get back in your boat if you capsize are all skills thatneeded. may lengthen your season and will add to your boating enjoyment.Wear appropriate clothing: The correct clothing choices can Many of the paddling related accidents and deaths in Connecticutadd significantly to your paddling comfort, extend your boating sea-might have been eliminated had the victims received some form ofson and might save your life. Chose the most appropriate clothing education.you own. Dress in layers of clothing that will retain body heat when Do NOT paddle impaired: Do not drink alcohol or use drugswet (fleece) and outer layers that repel water. Avoid cotton, which before or while paddling. These substances can reduce reactionstays wet and does not retain heat. Wear a hat! (If you are a pad-time, balance, coordination, and judgment - all of which are vital todling in the cold-water seasons consider investing in wet or dry suit, your survival in a threatening situation.you will be amazed at the difference in comfort they make.) Put contact information on your boat: Attach an IF FOUNDBring a communication device: Carry a phone in a water-sticker to your unregistered boat or write the boat owners contactproof bag and/or a waterproof marine VHF radio. In coastal/tidal information in the boat. This contact information can help rescuerswaters, a VHF radio is the best way to call for help. By using its locate you faster should an emergency situation occur, and the boatmodern VHF radio technology, the US Coast Guard can accurately is found unattended. (See page 53, for more information about Ifpinpoint the location of a VHF radio transmission and send rescuers Found stickers.)to that location faster than using traditional searching techniques. Know your ability: Be honest with yourself when planning a(Use VHF channel 16 to call the USCG. It is the international distress, trip. Rough water, white water, or rapids can be difficult for experi- safety and hailing channel.) enced paddlers and are noKnow the local regula-place for beginners. Checktions and navigation rules: the weather forecast, tidesWaterways are filled with all and water flows before head- types of vessels engaged ing out to a location and forin many different activities. the period of time you planKnowing and understanding to be on the water. Changesthe basic rules of the road in weather, tides and waterwill help make everyones day flows can easily turn a calmon the water much safer and waterbody that is within yourenjoyable. Please DO NOT paddling abilities into a dead- paddle in the middle of main ly environment. Our websitechannels, high traffic areas or contains links to several goodinterfere with the passage of Connecticut weather fore- other boat traffic. casts and resources https:// Keep a lookout: Small portal.ct.gov/DEEP/ paddlecraft can be difficult to Boating/ WeatherTides see. Always keep an eye out Streamflows . for other boats that are com-Plan ahead: Know theing close to you. If possible, waters that you are paddlingwear brightly colored clothes and plan your day according- or use other means to make ly. Tell someone where youyou and your boat more visi-are going, what boat you areble on the water. Beware, that taking and when you plan onlarge boats DO NOT stop very returning; this is called filingquickly. Do your best to avoid a float plan. The informationputting yourself in a danger-in a float plan will help firstous situation and remember responders rescue you fasterthat larger boats may not be should an accident occur.able to avoid a collision.382022 Connecticut BOATERS GUIDE'