How To Flip A Canoe Back Over?

This video discusses how to deal with a flipped canoe, as well as canoe rescue techniques. It also touches on the options in the event of a capsize, including the Capistrano Flip Method. To flip a swamped canoe, empty it, flip it over, and then get in.

If your canoe flips, remain calm and try to swim to the shore to assess the situation. If you can safely recover the canoe, flip it back over so that its right side up. Stand on one side of the canoe and grab onto the gunwale (top edge). Flip the canoe over by turning it to the right side if upside down to make reentry easier. Swim to the stern by gripping the canoe’s gunwales while swimming.

To re-enter the canoe after flipping over in deep water, roll it over so that it is right-side up, positioning yourself at the middle of the canoe and gripping the edges. Using strong scissors-kicks, raise one side of the canoe to break the suction and then heave the raised side up and over so the canoe flips back upright.

In Step 2, it often helps to have the canoe upside down. Have one of the scouts in the water push down on the far end of the boat to help lift the end of the canoe. Flip the canoe back upright, positioning yourself along the side of the canoe and gripping the middle of it. Push the canoe above your heads and simultaneously flip it upright so that it is floating in the water.