How to Stay Safe (And Have Fun): Tips From the National Canoe Safety Patrol

On Saturday mornings, a group of volunteers are typically outside the Zane Gray Museum in Lackawaxen, P.A., taking the time to get the weather report and details on how high the Upper Delaware River will get for the day.

But the National Canoe Safety Patrol received some news this morning they’d like to act fast on: a large group of Boy Scouts are expected to head down Skinner’s Falls, says Tom Candela, a patrol volunteer.

The National Canoe Safety Patrol is a group committed to keeping river users safe in and out of the water. More than 150 people drown in New York State each year. Drowning is the fourth leading cause of death among children ages 1-4 and the seventh leading cause for children ages 5-14 in New York State, according to New York State Department of Health data.

Radio Catskill spoke with patrol volunteers to gather their best advice to stay safe – and have fun – this summer.

1) Wear appropriate clothing

Patrol volunteers ensure adventure-seekers are dressed for the right conditions and equipped to handle dangerous situations, such as hypothermia. Oftentimes, people are wearing cotton clothing, a fabric more prone to soak. “That’s when hypothermia can set in,” said Candela.

He adds that a large black garbage bag can make a big difference in keeping someone warm. “We cut holes in them for the head and the arms, and you just slip it over somebody and that helps keep their heat in and it helps warm them up,” he said.

2) Use a properly-fitted life jacket

Long-time volunteer Donna Ford says anyone on or near the river should wear a life jacket. River conditions, like its speed and temperatures, can change quickly. According to the U.S. Coast Guard , the overwhelming majority of people who died by drowning in recreational boating accidents in 2022 were not wearing a life jacket.

Ford says canoe liveries have tightened up their safety measures over the years.

“The liveries are doing a much better job now at getting their clients to wear their [personal flotation devices], keep ’em buckled and on. And the park service has also had a large impact on that. Years ago, it was hard to find people wearing them at all,” said Ford.

3) Listen to directions

At Skinner’s Falls, large boulders protrude from the water as rapids rush past. Patrol members disperse around the areas where accidents often happen, helping guide people safely down the river. Patrol volunteer Joel Duffy, who has been volunteering with the National Canoe Safety Patrol since 1993, is stationed by the falls to brief people on the safest route to travel through.

Still, Ford says that the risks should not deter adventure-seekers from getting in the water. With the right safety precautions, the experience can be unforgettable.

“ It’s thrilling. It’s exciting. It’s nature, and it proves something to yourself, right? If you’re looking for a confidence builder, come out here. The more times you make it through, the more exciting it becomes,” said Ford.

Image: National Canoe Safety Patrol volunteers paddle in canoes during a Spring 2022 training (Photo Credit: National Canoe Safety Patrol, National Park Service)