Trip leaders need to monitor the weather well before a trip takes place. The same holds true for water temperature but that is typically more stable. Whenever hypothermia is a strong possibility, you should warn your party and provide suggestions on how to dress accordingly. As an additional precaution, I typically pack some extra cold weather gear in my car to loan if necessary. I like to keep a spare NRS Mystery Hood in my dry bag since it doesn't take up very much space and is one of the fastest means of addressing early hypothermia on paddling trips.

Hyperthermia is also a significant conern, especially with older boaters. Since I am prone to this condition, I pack Gatorade instead of water. If it is a hot day, I pack a quart size bottle. Gatorade is perfectly effective in a 50:50 mixture. I also like to stash a second small plastic bottle of water in the back of my boat that I can simply give someone in need. A couple packets of plain old mustard can also fix severe cramped leg muscles. Mustard is used by a number of coaches and medical professionals for patients on dialysis that can't handle excess potassium.

Trip leaders need to closely monitor water levels prior and during the trip. The American Whitewater site does a real nice job of color coding river readings:

• Pink - Low
• Green - In Range
• Purple - Too High

I also check gauges further upstream on the day of the trip to see if the river will be rising or falling. If it looks like the stream is too high for a safe trip, choose an alternate safer run or call off the trip.

Discuss this environmental information with your paddling party in pre-trip emails and prior to running the shuttle so they can be prepared.

Nearly all organizations these days require some sort of signed waiver to participate in their activities. When dealing with children, you should always secure signed parental permission on a liability waiver as well. The ACA has such a waiver and it is required for all ACA sanctioned events - no exceptions. If you are running a children's trip without accompanying parents, many organizations will also required a signed medical release. The medical release enables a non-related adult to check the child into a hospital for care in the event a parent can't be contacted in a timely manner. As a trip leader, you need to ensure these forms are readily available especially the medical waivers.

It is always a good idea to do a quick inventory prior to setting the shuttle. I like to verify whether everyone has adequate cold weather gear, suitable helmet and PFD, flotation, fluids and food. If someone is lacking, someone else often has extra gear they can loan. When I lead novice and beginner trips, I typically bring an assortment of helmets just in case and I always have to loan several out. Don't carry an extra cold weather tops in your boat, make the participant wear the top if needed. I do stash an extra NRS Mystery Hood in my dry bag to loan later in the trip if needed. This hood doesn't take up much room and is real fast at addressing hypothermia.

Now that personal gear is in order, we can now concentrate on group gear. Verify who has a decent first aid kit, heavy duty throw rope, pin kit, etc. All helpers should carry a throw bag and two carabineers and know how to use them. A bivy sack or several lawn/leaf bags don't take up too much space and can be a life saver. I also carry a folding saw which can come in handy in certain situations - like making the shuttle road passable after a strong storm on several occasions. Once you have identified your assets, spread the load accordingly and position boaters with gear in the correct group order. Everyone on the trip needs to know where key gear and role players are in case they are needed like the Medic and Rescue persons as well as first aid kits and the cell phone.