Kayak Paddles: Symmetrical vs. Asymmetrical Blades
Kayak Paddles: Flat vs. Spoon Blades
Stand-Up Paddleboard Paddles
Unit 2: Before Getting Underway
Topic 1: Your Paddlecraft's Capacity
Knowing Your Paddlecraft's Capacity
Sample Capacity Plate
Calculating a Boat's Capacity
Topic 2: Float Plans
Float Plan for Short Outings
Float Plan for Extended Outings
Topic 3: Transporting Your Paddlecraft
Choosing a Cartop Carrier Rack
Mounting a Paddlecraft on a Cartop Rack
Mounting a Canoe or Kayak
Mounting a Stand-Up Paddleboard
More About Straps
Video: Transporting Your Paddlecraft
Using a Pickup for Transportation
Transporting a Motor
Topic 4: Conducting a Pre-Departure Check
Pre-Departure Checklist
Video: Preparing for Paddling
Topic 5: Dressing for a Paddlecraft Trip
Selecting Your Clothing
Selecting Your Clothing: First Layer
Selecting Your Clothing: Second Layer
Selecting Your Clothing: Outer Garment
Selecting a Hat or Helmet
Selecting Appropriate Footwear
Selecting Gloves
Selecting a Leash
Topic 6: Using a Vessel Identification Sticker
Vessel Identification Sticker
Topic 7: Loading Gear in a Paddlecraft
General Loading Information
Loading Gear in a Kayak
Additional Equipment
Video: Loading Your Boat
Topic 8: Carrying a Paddleboard
Carrying a Paddleboard to the Water
Topic 9: Maintaining and Storing Your Paddlecraft
Inspecting Your Paddlecraft
Completing Other Maintenance
Storing Your Paddlecraft
Topic 10: Responsibilities When Paddling With Others
Common Rules and Communication
Whistle Signals
Hand and Paddle Signals
Unit 3: Safe Operation and Navigation
Topic 1: Boarding and Exiting Your Paddlecraft
Boarding and Exiting
Boarding a Canoe From a Shoreline
Boarding a Canoe From a Dock
Exiting a Canoe
Boarding a Kayak From a Shoreline
Boarding a Kayak From a Dock
Exiting a Kayak
Securing Your Canoe or Kayak
Mounting an SUP in the Water: Part 1
Mounting an SUP in the Water: Part 2
Mounting an SUP From a Dock
Dismounting a Paddleboard
Falling Off a Paddleboard
Learning Strokes and Techniques
Video: Boarding and Exiting
Topic 2: Sharing the Waterway With Others
Rules of the Waterways
Navigation Rules
U.S. Aids to Navigation System (ATONS)
Lateral Markers: Colors, Numbers, and Shapes
Lateral Markers: Lighted Buoys and Daymarks
Intracoastal Waterway
Western Rivers System
Non-Lateral Markers
Other Non-Lateral Markers
Topic 3: Local Waterway Hazards
Waterway Hazards
Low-Head Dams
Other Hazards on Rivers and Lakes
Changing Water Levels
Understanding River Characteristics
Stopping in a Current
Hazards on Coastal Waters
Shipping Lanes
Video: Paddling Safely on Waterways
Topic 4: Fishing and Hunting
If You Use Your Boat to Fish or Hunt
If You Encounter Fishing or Hunting Boats
Unit 4: Legal Requirements of Boating
Topic 1: Registration and HIN
Certificate of Number and Decals
Hull Identification Number
Topic 2: Operating a Paddlecraft
Who May Operate a Paddlecraft
Unlawful Operation of a Paddlecraft
Homeland Security Restrictions
Topic 3: Alcohol and Drugs
Boating Under the Influence (BUI)
Blood Alcohol Concentration
Penalties for Boating Under the Influence
Topic 4: Personal Flotation Devices (Life Jackets)
Overview of PFD Law
Specific PFD Requirements
Type I PFDs: Wearable Offshore Life Jackets
Type II PFDs: Wearable Near-Shore Vests
Type III PFDs: Wearable Flotation Aids
Type IV PFDs: Throwable Devices/Not Wearable
Type V PFDs: Special-Use Devices
Topic 5: Navigation Lights
Overview of Navigation Lights
Navigation Lights for Manually Propelled Paddlecraft
Navigation Lights for Motorized Paddlecraft
Navigation Lights for Paddleboards
Topic 6: Sound and Signaling Devices
Requirement to Have Sound-Producing Devices
Common Sound Signals
Requirement to Carry Visual Distress Signals
Pyrotechnic Visual Distress Signals
Non-Pyrotechnic Visual Distress Signals
Arm or Paddle Signal
Topic 7: Additional Regulations
Equipment Requirements for Paddleboards
Local Regulations
Topic 8: Protection of the Environment
Discharge of Trash
Aquatic Nuisance Species
Stop the Spread of Nuisance Species
Submerged Aquatic Vegetation
Topic 9: Accidents and Casualties
What You Must Do If Involved in an Accident
Reporting an Accident
Topic 10: Enforcement
Who Enforces Boating Laws?
Video: Meeting Legal Requirements
Unit 5: Paddling Emergencies
Topic 1: Risk Management
Prepare for and Prevent Accidents
Minimize Risk by Wearing PFDs (Life Jackets)
Reducing the Risk of Capsizing, Swamping, or Falling Overboard
What To Do If You Capsize, Swamp, or Fall Overboard
Rescuing an Overboard Victim
Dangers of Broaching in Major Whitewater
Dangers of Broaching in Heavy Waves on Open Water
Topic 2: Learning Emergency Techniques
Emergency Rescue Techniques
Boat-Over-Boat Rescue
Towing a Swimmer With a Kayak
Bulldozing a Boat
Video: Preparing for Emergencies
Topic 3: Cold Water Immersion and Hypothermia
Cold Water Immersion Kills
The Four Stages of Cold Water Immersion—Stages 1 and 2
The Four Stages of Cold Water Immersion—Stages 3 and 4
Symptoms of Hypothermia
Surviving Cold Water Immersion
The HELP and Huddle Positions
Topic 4: Understanding Heat-Related Illnesses
Heat-Related Illnesses
Heat Exhaustion
Heat Stroke
Heat Cramps
Dehydration
Topic 5: Weather Emergencies
Changes in the Weather
Avoiding Severe Weather
What To Do If Severe Weather Strikes
Should You Ride Out a Storm?
Video: Dealing With Emergencies
View Course Outline
Lateral markers are buoys and other markers that indicate the edges of safe water areas.
Green colors, green lights, and odd numbers mark the edge of a channel on your port (left) side as you enter from open sea or head upstream. Numbers usually will go up as you head upstream. A type of green marker is the cylinder-shaped can buoy.
Red colors, red lights, and even numbers mark the edge of a channel on your starboard (right) side as you enter from open sea or head upstream. Numbers usually will go up as you head upstream. A type of red marker is the cone-shaped nun buoy.
Red and green colors or lights are placed where a channel splits in two. If green is on top, keep the buoy on your left to continue along the preferred channel. If red is on top, keep the buoy on your right. These markers are sometimes called “junction buoys.”
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