Canoeing and Paddling the Yukon and Teslin Rivers
Three common river emergencies
By their nature, emergencies are unforeseen, however, you do not need to be unprepared.
Water
Yes, there is a canoe under him. The greatest danger in swamping or a capsize is getting pinned against sweepers or log jams. The water of the Teslin/Yukon flows at about 5-7 knots. If a canoist or canoe is jammed against a stationary object, it is extremely difficult to effect a release by pulling up stream.
If a canoeist winds up in the water, it is a natural reaction to try to save gear. SAVE YOURSELF! Gear in containers will almost always float. We have lost very little gear in capsizes.
Be prepared by: 1. lashing your gear in the canoe 2. getting up stream of the canoe if you are in the water 3. having rope and a climbing pully in each canoe 4. swim to avoid obsticals 5. Always wear a PFD!
Land accident
The vast majority of accidents are cuts. Have an ample supply of wound dressing and antibiotic ointment. Steri-strips wll close all but the worst cuts. You may want to consider obtaining a prescription painkiller and a course of antibiotics.
For extreme trauma, you must get help. This will probably involve a no stop paddle to the closest road or settlement. It does not get truly dark at night so almost non-stop travel is an option.
Brush up on your first aid before the trip and have a good first aid book and kit with you.
Illness
As much as we might like to, most of us are not small enough to curl up on the bottom of the canoe. illnesses you are most apt to run into are stomach problems from food, reactions to bug bites or stings, or common colds.
A well stocked first-aid kit is important. A thermometer can take a lot of guess work out of an illness situation.
Again, if the situation is beyond your ability to handle effectively, evacuate the person and get help.