Attention trip leaders!!

AMC policy requires that all trip leaders MUST use the liability release agreement (LRA) form below. Any trip run without use of this form is not an official AMC event and you will not have the backing of the club in case of any mishaps on the trip. Also, remember that your AMC membership MUST be paid-up and current on the day of the trip.

Please download the forms below before your trip, mail completed forms to:

Liability Release Agreement (LRA) and Trip Report Form

Right click this link and select "Save as..." to DOWNLOAD WAIVER FORM and to DOWNLOAD TRIP REPORT FORM

You may need Adobe Acrobat to view these forms.

Trip Leader's Paperwork

Trip Fees: There are no longer any trip fees.

Trip Report:

1. If the trip was cancelled, write "CANCELLED", and why, on the report.
2. Use full names, addresses, phone numbers and e-mail, if available (we need this for the roster!) Paddler's address & phone number is needed only for new paddlers, or for those with changes.
3. Help us to rate paddlers who are either new, unrated, or paddling above their current rating:
   1. Did they paddle today successfully?
   2. Why or why not?
   3. What was good or bad?
   4. Note: a new rating will not exceed the class of the river being paddled.
4. Do not include expenses for river access, camping, or meals on the trip report - calculation and collection of these expenses are between the leader and each paddler.
5. Identify accidents and lost/damaged club equipment (describe on back, as necessary).
6. Within one week send trip report to:
   Barry Smith
   20 Orcuttville Rd.
   Stafford Springs, CT 06076

Trip Leader's Responsibilities - Before the Trip

Although each paddler is responsible for his/her own safety, the trip leader is responsible for running a safe trip. To ensure this, the Committee authorizes you, the trip leader, to do as follows:

1. You should not accept paddlers who are not up to the challenge. Your decision is final, but use these guidelines.
   1. A: Rated paddlers may paddle up to one level above rating (Note: we accept the rating from any AMC chapter)
   2. B: new or unrated paddlers should be questioned on experience and use of proper equipment when questioning, be friendly... do not interrogate... we want them to come back!
   3. C: If they are not qualified, please suggest upcoming training classes or other trips where they can gain experience.
2. 2. You may designate other(s), who are capable & willing, to be the on-river leader(s).
3. 3. You may abort a trip, change its location, or limit the number of paddlers (as conditions warrant).
4. You must try to find a replacement leader if you become unable to lead your scheduled trip: If you can not find a new leader call Mark Schappert.
5. 4. You should encourage interested paddlers to become a co-leader and learn the ropes... we need more leaders. If considering a change in location, you can get some recorded river readings and info from the Current River Levels page.

Leaders' Responsibilities - At the River

Trip Leader

 Leaders who are AMC members have AMC liability insurance protection for listed trips (but no insurance can ever make up for a serious accident or injury).
The trip leader can designate another (capable and willing) paddler as the river leader.
 

River Leader - at the Put-in

1. Respect the rights of property owners and local residents - park legally and considerately.
2. Assign a lead boat and a sweep boat, and explain their responsibilities to the group.
3. If too many boats (more than 6), split into smaller groups (of at least 3 boats), each with a lead & sweep.
4. Discuss procedures for keeping group together, scouting, and setting throw lines at heavy drops.
5. Inform group of locations of first aid kit (in or near sweep boat(s)) and throw ropes (in lead boat(s)).
6. Inform group before put-in of any known problems (heavy rapids, dams, obstructions).
7. Inform inexperienced paddlers of safety procedures after capsizing (keep upstream of boat, feet up, etc).

River Leader - on the River

1. Be the lead boat (in the first group).
2. Be alert to changing conditions of river, weather and paddlers (fatigue, hypothermia); alter plans as needed.
3. Maintain suitable distance between groups. Split or combine groups. Break up groups of weak paddlers.
4. Take the lead in organizing rescue, or delegate it to an experienced person.

Lead Boat (of each group)

1. Control the pace; make sure the group moves along at a reasonable rate.
2. When scouting, make sure all boats eddy out far enough in advance of major drops.
3. Wait at the bottom of heavy drops for all boaters in group to negotiate the drop, before continuing.

Sweep Boat (of each group)

1. Never let any boat in the group get behind you (except at major drops where safety strategies may change).
2. Make sure slower, weaker boats keep pace with the group; if necessary, send them to the front of the group.

Hospitals
Connecticut		Vermont		New Hampshire
River	Hospital	River	Hospital	River	Hospital
Bantam	Torrington	Black	Windsor	Ammonoosuc	Littleton
Farmington-Riverton	Winsted	Upper Green	Brattleboro	Androscoggin	Berlin
Farmington-C'ville	Farmington (UConn)	Saxtons	Bellows Falls	Ashuelot	Keene
Farmington-T'ville	Hartford	Wardsboro	Brattleboro	Bearcamp	North Conway
Natchaug	Willimantic	West	Brattleboro	Blackwater	Concord
Salmon	Middletown	White	Windsor	Cold	Bellows Falls, VT
Sandy Brook	Winsted	Winhall	Brattleboro	Contoocook	Concord
Shepaug / Bantam	Torrington or New Milford			Gale	Littleton
Massachusetts		Maine		Mad	Plymouth
River	Hospital	River	Hospital	Otter Brook	Keene
Chickley / Cold	Greenfield	Dead	Skowhegan	Pemigawasset	Littleton
Deerfield	Greenfield	Rapid	Berlin, NH	Saco	North Conway
Upper Farmington	Winsted, CT	New York		Smith	Franklin
Green	Greenfield	River	Hospital	Souhegan	Nashua
Millers	Greenfield or Athol	Esopus	Kingston	Sugar	Caremond
North	Greenfield	Hudson	Ticonderoga	Swift	North Conway
Quaboag	Palmer	Sacandaga	Gloversville
Westfield	Westfield or Northampton	Ten Mile	New Milford, CT

Accident Report (adapted from AMC White Mt Guide)

Immediate Actions

1. Calm everyone - yourself first (you don't want to rush and make mistakes).

Make the victim as comfortable as possible, without risking further injuries.

2. Describe the accident:

Date & Time: Location: Cause (falling, sickness, etc): Injuries & severity:

3. Get the victim's vital signs:

Times
Pulse
Respiration
Pupils
Complexion

4. Describe what first-aid was given, and at what time:

5. List the victim's medical information:

Current medications: Pre-existing medical conditions (Medic Alert tag?):

6. Determine whether to evacuate now or go for assistance:

Must the victim be carried out (littered)? _____ Are there enough people to do a litter safely? _____ If necessary, can victim safely spend the night? _____

If Going for Assistance

7. Get the following information:

Person	Victim	Group Leader	Person to Contact
Name
Phone
Address
Sex
Age
Weight

8. List the equipment the rescue party will need to bring (food, clothing, medicine, splints, etc):

9. Determine the action plans for the party which will stay with the victim while waiting for rescue:

10. Update victim's vital signs one more time before sending party to get help.

11. Walk briskly (do not run) to nearest home, business, or phone booth.
    Dial 911 and report all information calmly to rescue authorities.
    Report the phone number from which you called and await instructions.

 

Reimbursement for Active CT AMC Whitewater Trip leader's education:   Trip leaders are encouraged to continue with educational endeavors.   Take a CT AMC Whitewater approved course and get 50% tuition/up to $100 reimbursement off the cost of the course once you have complete leading 3 trips.   No more then 2 courses will be approved for reimbursement in one year with approval No reimbursement will occur till required trips are lead.   Take 1 course and lead 3 trips for approved reimbursement Take 2 courses and lead 5 trips for approved reimbursement   Take the Wilderness First Aid Class with the CT AMC or approved WFA classes anywhere   Take the Advance First Aid Class anywhere   Take the Wilderness First Responder course anywhere   Take the 2 day basic River Rescue class at Zoar   Take the 2 day advanced River Rescue class at Zoar   Take and ACA instructional 3 day program for whitewater   Take the ACA instructional 4 day program for Whitewater     Attend a 5 day instructional skills whitewater kayak program (Ottawa Kayak School, Zoar Outdoors) approved by the whitewater committee   For pre approval and paper work contact David Shoup   CT AMC Whitewater Educational Course Preapproval Form   Date________________ I ___________________ would like to apply for the CT AMC Whitewater Educational reimbursement for taking the following courses ____________________ located at______________________.  I agree to lead the required number of trips within the calendar year. Sign here____________________________   To be sent to Dave Shoup Trip Leader coordinator for approval.     Once trips are completed, contact Dave Shoup Trip Leader coordinator for reimbursement