Getting Wild!
Week 3 of #MNOExpedition: Training in Paddlefoot
On the third week of our training we ventured off to Paddlefoot in Baysville, Ontario. During our stay with our lovely hosts Rob and Sue we developed skills that have prepared us for the adventurous summer ahead.
Our main focus at Paddlefoot was Wilderness First Aid training. During our training we learnt how to successfully rescue civilians in a wilderness setting with minor to severe injuries. On one of our training days we did a simulation of a car accident that involved 2 vehicles and 6 patients. The simulation consisted of abdominal bleeding, anxiety attacks, minor lacerations, and broken bones. Our mission was to treat our patients in a timely manner while judging what and who should be treated first based on the severity of the injury.
Along with our First Aid training we geared up with PFD’s and helmets and hit the white water. During this exercise we went one by one through the rapids simulating a passenger overboard. This exercise taught us what position our bodies should be in the water to prevent injury. To save the swimmer we tossed throw bags out to them which consisted of a rope in a bag that was designed to unravel quickly while being thrown. Once the program was completed and we took a final written test, we all received our Wilderness First Aid patch and certificate card.
In between preparing for departure and our First Aid training we had a couple of days where we set off into three separate groups and did a variety of fun activities. The first group went off with our guide Zack and practiced maneuvering a canoe. This session consisted of learning how to paddle properly, how to steer a canoe and if you were feeling extra adventurous that evening, how to get back into a tipped canoe.
The second group joined Mike Richardson who is the owner of Challenges Canada and started to paint our paddles. In this session we painted the paddle blades red resembling a traditional voyageur paddler and once that was dry we varnished them and put linseed oil on the grip.
The last group ventured off with our guide Jesse for a self-reflection activity. This exercise was my favourite one out of the three. We started out with going back to the classroom to do a self-evaluation that rated us on how comfortable we are with the tasks we have been completing over the past few weeks. Once that was complete we quietly went off into the forest to do a sit spot. At this time you would find a place to sit alone in the forest where you can clear your thoughts, listen to the sound of nature, and reflect on anything that was on your mind. This activity was nice because it gave us time out of our busy days to think about home and life outside the trip.
On the second last day our guides decided to surprise us with an overnight canoe trip to Algonquin Park. This was our first real trip as a team. We paddled approximately 20 KM to our destination which included one location where we had a 200 metre portage. This trip was extra special because it included both the paddlers, grounds crew and communications team. Once we got to our campsite we continued to work together to gather firewood, make dinner, and then did some group activities around a campfire.
Once our overnight trip was over, we headed back over to Paddlefoot for one last night before heading to Ottawa to begin our three month journey to Kenora. Once all the work had been finished for the day we ended off our stay with a jam session in the family room that had everyone playing instruments and singing. We had an absolute blast and I will never forget how much closer our group got that night!
On behalf of all of the Canoe Expedition crew members I would like to send out a huge thank-you to our hosts Robb and Sue and their children Will and Tom for making our week with them one that we will not forget!
