After you grab your paddle and life jacket, there are a few more things to remember...

• To get into your canoe:
  1. Have someone hold the canoe steady - you don't want to tip the canoe before you even get out on the water!
  2. Crouch low - keep your knees bent and
  3. Grab the sides of the canoe for balance as you walk to your seat
  4. Always walk along the center - keeping your feet on the center line will help keep the canoe from rocking.
  
  
• Stay low - do not stand up or walk in your canoe with you are away from shore.
  
  
• Always wear your life Jacket - you never know when you might fall out or tip over unexpectedly.
  
  
• Avoid sudden or jerky movements - rocking from side to side could cause the canoe to tip over.
  
  
• Be aware of the currents in the water - you don't want to end up floating farther downstream than you planned. If the current starts to pull you along faster or you see lots of rocks in the water ahead of you paddle away from them or paddle towards the shore.
  
  
• Always sit on the seats or in the center of the canoe - sitting on the side of a canoe will cause it to tip over.
  
  
• Stay away from low hanging trees and branches near the shore.
  
  
• Do not canoe in bad weather.
  
  
• Avoid letting big waves hit the side of your canoe - always try to keep your canoe at a right angle to the waves otherwise the wave might push your canoe over.
  
  
• If your canoe tips over:
  1. Don't panic
  2. Stay with your canoe
  3. Paddle or push your canoe to shore - with the help of the other person in you canoe, you can get out in shallow water and flip the canoe to dump out the water and climb in. Your canoe will float even if its full of water.
  5. Always bring along extra clothing in a waterproof container - you want to be prepared in case your canoe tips or the weather changes.
  
  
• Be sure to bring the proper equipment:
  1. Sun protection - hats, sunscreen, long sleeves and pants
  2. First aid kit
  3. Plenty of food and water
  4. Life vests
  5. Map - be sure you know where you are so you do not get lost!
  
  
• Tie all your equipment to the canoe - put your equipment into a waterproof bag to keep it dry and tie it to one of the center beams in the canoe so that you don't lose everything if you canoe tips over.
  
  
• Do not litter - carry out everything you bring in.
  
  
  Courtesy of Wisconsin DNR