Health & Safety

The illness Leptospirosis is an infection caught through contact with urine from infected animals (mainly rodents, cattle and pigs) in water or soil. The bacteria enter the body through abrasions or cuts in the skin and through the lining of the nose, mouth and eyes. The disease is more prevalent when the river has been in flood.

Early symptoms include flu-like symptoms, vomiting, high temperature, headache and muscle pains. The treatment is antibiotics. If you think you may have the infection, go to your doctor and tell them there may be a risk of leptospirosis - early treatment is vital. If left untreated Leptospirosis can progress to Weils disease, a very unpleasant and sometimes fatal condition.

It has been drawn to the attention of the Canoe Club Committee that members are not wearing Buoyancy aids and Crash Helmets when paddling in or around the Weirs. Members are reminded of the danger.

Please find below an extract from the BCU Guidelines

Where “white water” or the shooting of weirs, is involved: the wearing of buoyancy aids and crash helmets is mandatory for slalom and wild water racing, and should be strongly advised for other events where an obvious risk is present.

Participation should be limited to those who declare themselves competent to handle the conditions, taking into account the type and amount of safety cover it is practical to provide at sites of particular difficulty.

Gary Thompson
Chairman