The American Canoe Association has a variety of safety resources you can print and use in educational programs and for community outreach.
The 'Know Your Limits' offers information on each of the most popular forms of paddling, what to take, hazards to watch for and a fun cartoon on how to dress for the activity.
The ACA's Paddlesport Safety Guidelines (pdf) offers advice on how to prepare, plan and enjoy paddling for multiple types of craft.
Each year, thousands of paddlers share the water with commercial craft and the recreational power boater. Do you know the Rules of the Road for Paddlers? Check out some easy tips to help you stay safe and in control.
What do you really need to take? Isn't that entire list overkill? See how prepared you really are? Paddlers' safety checklist.
At a time when more and more government officials are scrutinizing paddlesport safety and seeking to further regulate paddling, paddlers must be armed with the facts and paddler-friendly policy recommendations for reducing the number of fatalities. The new ACA report Critical Judgment II: Understanding and Preventing Canoe and Kayak Fatalities is an essential tool for all paddlers who need to understand the full scope and nature of canoe and kayak related fatalities. Find out which populations are most at risk, the role of specific hazards, and what mistakes led to these tragedies.
A fun introduction to Paddling is the Beginner's Guide to Paddling.
Safety Related Issues
- ACA Guidelines for Safe Coastal Kayaking Wallchart NEW!
- ACA Guidelines for Safe River Kayaking Wallchart NEW!
- A Smartstart for Safe Paddling Brochure NEW!
- Canoe & Kayak Fatality Report - Critical Judgment II: Understanding and Preventing Canoe and Kayak Fatalities
- Buying a Lifejacket
- Paddlesport Safety Guidelines
- Cold Water Safety
- International Scale of River Rating Difficulty
Check out the ACA's Paddle Safe, Paddle Smart Brochure Series
- Wear It! Life Jackets Matter
- Paddler's Safety Checklist
- Rules of the Road: What Paddlers Need to Know
- Practices, Ethics and Conduct
- River Paddler's Guide to Rescue
- Cold Water Survival
ACA Best Practices Brochures
- Canoeing Side One
- Canoeing Side Two
- River Kayaking Side One
- River Kayaking Side Two
- Sea Kayaking Side One
- Sea Kayaking Side Two
- Rafting Side One
- Rafting Side Two
Decide to Return
- Decide to Return: "A Strategy for Safe Sea Kayaking" PPT 10.4MB in size.
- Decide to Return: "A Strategy for Safe Sea Kayaking" CD 11.6MB in size.















