Colour and flowing water

One of the criteria that should always be considered when choosing equipment for river activities is color. Firstly, for style, because we know that looking good on the river is paramount, but above all to allow others (friends, guides, clients, rescuers, etc.) to spot us as quickly as possible and thus facilitate rapid assistance.

It is a concept widely adopted in Europe, but still not very popular in North America.

• Interesting video on the topic "Kayaking Gear Science Experiment: Underwater Color Visibility Testing": https://youtu.be/W5Zgj30MhEE?si=jHAPcUwyYY3pm-ix

In this video, Stephen Wright tests, in a completely unscientific way, the visibility of different colors at different depths in water.

• Excellent article by Mark Hirst ''Is the Color of Your Helmet Important?'' https://www.raftingmag.com/rafting-magazine/is-the-color-of-your-helmet-important

The most visible colors on the water are: orange, yellow, red, pink, fluorescent green.

• Orange : the most visible color when the sun shines and reflects off the water. It is the favorite color for lifeboats, life jackets, lifebuoys, etc.

• Yellow : the color best seen from a distance and in low light (cloudy skies). Some road signs, school buses, etc.

• Red : the color that represents danger.

(Photo: R3 Safety & Rescue Ltd)

The least visible colours on the water are: white, black, brown, blue, forest green, grey.

In short, the colors that are found in nature.

Other ideas to increase your visibility

• Mixing: Mixing colors allows you to be visible in different conditions.

• Reflective tape: It can also be a good idea to put reflective tape on certain items (like your helmet) if you plan to be on the water in the evening/night. Self-adhesive reflective strips come with all WRSI helmets. Otherwise, you can buy them in small rolls at most outdoor stores.

• The helmet : when swimming, the helmet is probably the only thing visible from outside the water. It is therefore your most important piece of equipment in terms of visibility. Your PFD is second, and your wetsuit is third.

• Standard for life jackets: In accordance with the CAN/CGSB-65.19-2004 standard, a life jacket must be red, orange or yellow, or a combination of these colours.

• Professional setting : In some professional settings, the color of your helmet indicates your level of training or hierarchical position (fire station, for example). For instance, a white helmet often represents the person in charge. This color doesn't make sense in whitewater, but it's widely used, especially in Quebec.

• Recreational settings: companies often use an internal color-coded system for helmets. For example, at Rivière Concept, we have yellow helmets for participants without any particular condition, red helmets for participants with a condition (medical, poor swimming ability, or nervousness), and orange helmets for guides. This system helps us prioritize who needs assistance first if an emergency arises and who we need to keep a close eye on.

Let's make these colors (orange, yellow, red, pink, fluorescent green) the new standard for whitewater safety!!

Alex