Northeast Disabled Athletic Association- Adaptive Kayaking
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer please read the following information and click the "VOLUNTEER NOW" button below
As a volunteer you will need a good understanding of..
1. The types of participants who are enrolled in the program
2. Transfers- types, especially with the client they will be assisting
3. Adaptive components of kayak
4. How to assist with adjustment of adaptive equipment
5. How to help kayakers on water and/or on land
Although not required, CPR/AED certification and kayaking skills are useful and will help determine the responsibilities of each volunteer
Volunteer Responsibilities
On Land
Required:
• One person on land during adaptive paddling session at ALL times
• Keep an eye on all kayakers out on the water
• Help with transfers and preparing kayak
If participant appears in distress (either visually or alerting volunteer)
1. Alert other on land volunteers to notify rescue boat
2. Clear launching area so person in distress can be brought to shore quickly
3. Help prepare equipment necessary to assist the participant onto land safely
In Water/ On Kayak
Required:
• Stay within 20 feet of kayaker
• Visual eye contact with “eyes on land” volunteer
• Verbal communication & check ins with participant
Equipment required:
• Life jacket
• Safety whistle
• Safety rope
- Encourage kayaker to pace themselves, suggest frequent “rest breaks”
- Hydration is IMPORTANT- Participants must frequently drink water while out on water
- If participant complains of being too hot/cold return to shore
- In case of Medical emergency: “Blow Whistle”- Alerts on land volunteer
If Participant is New:
- Begin participant at a reserved distance
- Know limitations and when to turn back to avoid participant fatigue
If Participant Becomes Fatigued:
- Slowly head back to shore, take necessary breaks, and tow participant if needed
Common Disabilities of participants:
This program is open to all individuals who require adaptive equipment in order to participate in kayaking. The following list is not comprehensive and is meant to increase volunteers’ understanding of common participant abilities. Some examples include:
• Cerebral Palsy (CP): CP is a permanent disorder starting in early childhood. Symptoms vary but can include spasticity, weakness, and poor coordination.
• Muscular Dystrophy: a group of diseases causing progressive muscle weakness and loss of mass. It can affect different muscles and different ages depending on the type. The most common is Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, which begins in early childhood and leads to falls, difficulty standing up, waddling gait, walking on toes, muscle pain/stiffness, and learning disabilities.
• Spinal Muscular Atrophy: genetic disease affecting the spinal cord and nerves leading to muscle weakness and wasting. It is difficult to diagnose and each individual experiences symptoms differently.
• Spinal Cord Injury: tends to be the result of traumatic injury and can result in
paralysis, weakness, and/or loss of sensation depending on where the spine is injured and if it is a complete or incomplete injury.
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): TBI is a complex injury to the brain that can result in a wide variety of symptoms and disabilities. TBI can affect anything from motor function to emotional control and is based on where the brain is impacted the most.
• Stroke: A stroke is a “brain attack” that occurs when blood flow is blocked to an area. How a person responds to their stroke depends on what part of the brain is damaged. This can include weakness, paralysis on one side, or language barriers.
• Parkinson’s (PD): PD affects the nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine. Symptoms include muscle rigidity, tremors, and changes in speech and gait. This is a lifelong condition and progresses throughout the lifetime.
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS): MS is a central nervous system disease that is often unpredictable and debilitating. Everyone presents differently based on where the damage is. Commonly symptoms include pain, sensation changes (touch/temperature
intolerance), weakness, spasticity, fatigue, speech changes, depression and more.
• Spinal Stenosis/Chronic Back Pain: These are overarching terms for long-term pain in individuals and can make daily activities like sitting and standing painful.
Equipment commonly used by people with disabilities
Vehicles
Van: Can carry electric wheelchairs and decreases need to lift anything into the vehicle
Adapted car: Some people can adapt their vehicles to have hand controls if they have poor use of the legs.
Wheelchairs
Manual: used by individuals with good muscle strength and are able to coordinate movements to push the wheels forward manually.
Electric: Used by individuals who have trouble with movement and coordination. Can be operated via a joystick, breath, or buttons.
Assistive Devices
Cane: one sided assist
Crutches: can be used on one or both sides to reduce stress on one or both legs or for coordination support
Walker: used for balance or reducing pressure on legs, more stable than crutches
Braces
People who have spasticity, muscle weakness or difficulties with gait are able to wear braces to stabilize their ankles, knees, and hips depending on their needs.
Augmented Communication
Devices used to improve communication. Can be done via communication boards, iPad apps, eye tracking devices, head pointers, and more.
