THE CAUSES, SYMPTOMS, SIGNS, TREATMENTS AND PREVENTION OF PADDLING’S MOST COMMON INJURIES


Ours is not a gentle sport. No matter how practiced and prepared you may be, a risk of injury exists around every rocky bend in the river.


A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing—but that’s just what we’re going to give you. We hope it can also be a preventative thing.


by Rapid staff


Ailment: Exostosis (surfer’s ear)


CAUSE: Your inner ear defends itself against cold wa- ter by building up layers of calcium in the ear canal.


SIGNS/SYMPTOMS: As the calcium blocks off your ear canal it impairs hearing and drainage.


PREVENTION: Keep cold water out of your ear by wearing earplugs or practicing your braces.


TREATMENT: Surgery.


Ailment: External otitis (swimmer’s ear)


CAUSE: An infection brought on when your ear be- comes host to the bacteria and fungus most often present in warm water.


SIGNS/SYMPTOMS: Your ear is tender on the out- side and red, swollen and itchy on the inside. The combination will leave you dizzy with pain.


TREATMENT: Wet-willies with antibiotic cream.


PREVENTION: Use a drying, antibacterial solution (equal parts rubbing alcohol and white vinegar) af- ter paddling in warm or polluted waters, ear plugs.


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Ailment: Sprained ankle


CAUSE: Your ankle rolls to the outside over top of your foot after missing a step on a portage, stretch- ing or tearing the ligaments on the outside of the ankle. This usually happens near the end of the day when you are tired or rushed, or when you are por- taging but still staring at the set through the trees, wondering if you could have run it after all.


SIGNS/SYMPTOMS: An ankle that’s bruised or swollen on the outside and even more painful to walk on than look at.


TREATMENT: In order to get to a place where RICE—rest, ice, compression and elevation—is possible, you’ll have to stabilize the ankle. Wrap the affected area from the instep to mid-calf with tape, starting from the arch side and running under then over the foot.


PREVENTION: Replace your neoprene socks with something more supportive, take your time while portaging or just stay in the boat and give’er.


Ailment: Bruised ego


CAUSES: Either wimping out of a run, or else con- vincing yourself to run something and then realizing you should have wimped out.


SIGNS/SYMPTOMS: Susceptibility to self-doubt, low self-esteem and depression. Chronic victims are usually accomplished swimmers.


PREVENTION: Always carry a camera. That way you can excuse yourself from runs for the sake of “getting some shots.”


TREATMENT: Beer.


RAPID PHOTOS: iSTOCKPHOTS.COM


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