BY CORY JONES
DIRECTOR OF
HIGHLAND EXPERIENCES
HTTPS://HIGHLANDEXPERIENCES.COM

Bio

Cory is an experienced outdoor educator, expedition leader, and Director of both the First Aid Training Co-operative and Highland Experiences Ltd. With over 25 years of working across the UK and internationally, he specialises in first aid training for remote environments and is also a mental health first aid trainer. A seasoned paddler, Cory is a Paddle UK Endorsed guide. He has guided sea kayaking and canoe trips in Scotland, Canada, Baja and East Africa.

Cory is also a regular contributor to Wee Wild Adventures, where he blogs about paddling journeys, remote travel, and practical field skills for outdoor enthusiasts.

To download a free copy of our Outdoor First Aid manual, follow this link: https://firstaidtrainingcooperative.co.uk/download-your-free-digital-first-aid-manual/

First Aid for Paddlesports (part one) – the basics

Paddle sports offer freedom and challenge in equal measure. But when things go wrong, your ability to respond quickly and effectively makes all the difference. Whether you are sea kayaking along a rocky coastline, paddleboarding on a loch, or tackling whitewater, incidents happen – and they often do so, far from immediate help.

This first article in a series of three on first aid for paddlesport walks you through the essential first aid response for paddlers. In all paddlesports incidents, it is essential to follow a system to ensure that you, your group, and the casualty are managed safely.

An incident procedure
Accidents unfold quickly on the water. Under pressure, we need a plan which is relatively simple to guide us through the incident and casualty assessment. Many paddlers would recognise this as the ABC first aid system.

Imagine a paddler has fallen into the water and taken a nasty swim. How will you manage that incident?
A – Assess for danger: Before approaching the casualty, ensure the area is safe and clear of hazards. Check for any immediate threats to your safety or the casualty’s. Don’t become the second casualty. If they are not already in a safe position, guide them to shore or into a stable rafted setup, if they are still afloat.
A – Alertness: Is the person conscious? Speak to them, touch their shoulder. Are they confused or dazed? If they are conscious, you can ask them if they are injured and where; if unconscious, check their airway.
A – Airway: Check that their airway is open. Look for obstruction from water, vomit or debris. If unconscious, gently open the airway using the head-tilt, chin-lift method. Once the airway is clear, check for breathing.
B – Breathing: Look, listen and feel for 10 seconds. Is their breathing regular, noisy, or absent? If they are not breathing or breathing is abnormal (gasping) then begin CPR (see the second article in the series).
C – Circulation: Look for signs of major bleeding or shock. Check for skin colour and temperature. If needed, treat for blood loss immediately.
D – Damage: Often referred to as a head-to-toe or secondary survey of the casualty. Systematically search the casualty’s body for signs of injury and trauma.
E – Ensure: Ensure they’re in a stable, safe position. Unconscious casualties should be placed in the recovery position. Think
E – Environment: They are likely to need to be kept covered for warmth.
E – Expose: Get to skin depth to see the real problem. You may need to cut through cags and kit.
E – Emotion: Talk calmly to the casualty to reassure them, even if they appear unconscious.

When to Call Emergency Services
Remote locations make calling for help more complex. If the casualty is unconscious, showing signs of serious head injury, bleeding heavily, has suspected spinal or limb fractures, or is hypothermic, call for assistance. Depending on your circumstances, use your marine VHF radio (Channel 16) to make a Mayday call or use your mobile where a phone signal is present, or a satellite phone in more remote areas. Always provide an accurate location. Use your GPS device or mobile app to give the longitude and latitude, or a grid reference. Or What3Words to help emergency services pinpoint your position.

First Aid Kits for Paddlers
Not all first aid kits are created equal. A small, urban-focused kit won’t be much use in a wilderness setting. Tailor your kit to your group size, activity type and remoteness. Always store it in a watertight, clearly marked container. A paddling-specific first aid kit should include:

• Gloves and a face shield
• Blister dressings and cohesive tape (VetWrap)
• Foil blanket or survival bag
• Triangular bandages
• Scissors or shears
• Wound wipes
• Sterile dressings/waterproof plasters (Easiplaster)
• Rehydration salts
• Pain relief (e.g. ibuprofen, paracetamol)
• Notepad and pencil

Supplement this with spare clothing, a group shelter and a simple first aid guide laminated for field use. Check and replenish your kit regularly.

Recording Casualty Details
In the chaos of an incident, recalling key details can be challenging. Always carry a casualty card and a waterproof notebook with a pencil to record what happened and when, observed symptoms, treatment given. It is essential to take a casualty’s vital signs regularly. This would include breathing and pulse rates, level of consciousness, as well as casualty capillary refill time and temperature. Monitoring of a casualty’s vital signs is invaluable for professional responders and can support group decision-making if the situation evolves.

Welfare for the Whole Group
A first aid incident affects more than just the casualty. Check that the rest of the group is physically and emotionally ok. Offer food, water and warm layers. Address morale as well as injuries. A hot drink or snack can go a long way.

Encourage everyone to stay alert. Fatigue, cold and hunger can cloud judgment and increase risk. Take breaks, share loads, and rotate towing where possible.

And don’t forget to check in with your own physical and mental state once the casualty is stable. First responders who fail to eat, hydrate or rest become casualties too.

After the incident, check in with the group members to ensure they are ok. Post-traumatic stress can often be minimised if a situation has been discussed openly by the group after the event.

Be Your Own Backup
When paddling far from help, your group must act as its emergency response team. Recognising the slower-developing threats like hypothermia, dehydration and friction injuries – and being ready to treat them – builds resilience and safety into every journey.
Invest in a practical outdoor or wilderness first aid course. Practice with your actual gear. Review your emergency plans. Gain confidence from thorough preparation. 

Closing Thoughts
The water is unpredictable. But your response doesn’t have to be. Assessing casualties, managing wounds and injuries and deciding when to call for help are skills any paddler can learn.

This is just the first part of a series of three articles on being first aid prepared, covering how to assess a casualty and basic casualty management. In parts two and three, we cover how to deal with specific injuries.