Risk Management

Assess risk and exposure, manage liability, and create systems consistent with leading risk management practices.

During semester 3 of the Outdoor Adventure program I took the Canoe Guiding elective in October 2023. This trip involved preparing and leading a 4-day canoe trip on a section of the Lower Madawaska River. Specifically the course involves trip planning, logistics, navigation, on-water group management, and safety. As a part of safety and group management, leaders were responsible to determine whether or not to run a rapid. It was a great opportunity to assess risk and exposure, manage liability, and create systems consistent with leading risk management practices.

On the second day of the trip, we came upon a fairly large rapid called Slate Falls. We decided to stop for lunch as we decided whether we wanted to run the rapid with our gear in the canoes, to run the rapid in canoes emptied of gear, or to portage around the rapid. Carolyn and I were the leaders at this time, so our decision was final say. We considered to likelihood that something might go wrong versus the consequence if something went wrong to measure the risk. The waves in this rapid were large so the likelihood that the canoes would fill with water was quite high. If we kept our gear in the canoes, the consequences, based on our level of experience, would be potentially losing barrels and bags down river where we may or may not be able to find them. This could mean losing the food we needed or the warm layers we needed back at our next campsite. The consequence if we ran the rapid after portaging our gear around the rapid was less severe. We might just have to get rescued by another canoe or swim to land to empty the canoe before proceeding down the river.

Carolyn and I came to the conclusion that it would be best to run the rapid without our gear. We portaged our gear to the small beach below Slate Falls before heading back to our canoes. Matt and Laura, our instructors, canoed through the rapid first (they kept their gear in their canoe because of their higher level of experience). The video below shows the line they took. Will and I went down next, with me in the stern. We had a good line that allowed us to avoid filling up with too much water. We then acted as the safety boat while the others followed. None of the canoes sank but they all filled with water and needed to be emptied (which was much easier without having the gear inside). I directed everyone to the small beach to empty their canoes of water and then fill them with gear. Carolyn and I made a good decision that allowed the group to have fun but stay safe at the same time. It was a great way for us to learn to trust our abilities to avoid and manage risk.