Mike Clark — aka Muddy Mike — is Big Muddy Adventures’ founder and senior guide. He answers your questions about paddling and beyond.

Hey Mike, what should I do if my canoe flips over while I’m paddling?
HECTOR, ST. LOUIS, MO

It starts with the right equipment, Hector. To prepare for a scenario like this, you need a few simple things: a personal flotation device for everyone in the boat, ropes, and a spare paddle.

At Big Muddy Adventures, we always say, Trust the boat. Ride the boat. Stay with the boat. Our boats don’t flip over unless something really silly happens, like a huge wave or something. So we trust the boat to be solid and keep us safe. Then we tell people to ride the boat. This means that if we’re in higher-risk water — waves, whitewater, whatever — get comfortable and ride that boat. Lastly, in the unlikely event that the boat capsizes, stay with the boat.

The canoe won’t sink, so even if it flips over, stay with it. Hang onto your paddle or quickly retrieve it and return to the canoe. If you’re in the middle of a river, you can flip your canoe and reenter it, but it’s tough. So, in general, the best course of action is to swim to the closest bank or safe bit of land while dragging the canoe with you. From there, flip over the canoe and reenter it.

Another thing: Some people will go out on the water without ropes on their boat, and that’s a sin. You should always have ropes tied to your boat. Or, at the very least, an emergency throw bag with ropes in it.

The answer to many of these what-if scenarios starts with the proper equipment. Prepare for the unexpected with a personal flotation device, ropes, and a spare paddle. Knowledge is key, of course. But knowledge without equipment is useless.

Got a question for Muddy Mike? Send it to shawn@terrain-mag.com.

Image: Muddy Mike on dry land. (Reiss Wegman)