Love this, thank you. Pneumonic was the right word! A suggestion: Instead of discussing danger vs risk, which sort of mean the same thing, it might be helpful to discuss consequence vs probability; the bad outcome(s) we're concerned about vs the likelihood it would occur. Medium consequence, high probability often warrants a different approach than high consequence, low probability. For example, a long, cold, splashy swim (med consequence) following a rowdy, big wave section (high probability of that swim) vs a nasty keeper hole (high consequence) on the side of a wide section that should be easily avoided (low probability). I'm still learning whitewater, so those may not be great examples, but this is a rubric I've found super helpful in rock climbing training.
So much of this is simply looking around and making eye contact with the people you're running the river with. The steeper the river, the more often you should be looking over your shoulder. Being on the same page with basic hand signals is also really nice
Great video! Positioning of maximum usefulness is based on probability not consequence. Risk is a function of probability and consequence. A strategy I use at the put in, is to ask people what hand signals and whistle blasts they use. I can quickly assess if they have any training on this topic and whether they are following international standards. If I just tell them what signals I use, I might not flush out where they are at and they may just nod and agree without fully understanding. I also try to simplify communication. Instead of using the signal for strainer (which varies depending on region), I just use the stop command or point to the safe path.
Franco's book is great, if you don't have the second edition it's worth picking it up if you can. We teach CLAP as part of British Canoeing courses all the time here in the UK, although I, and many others have tweaked the A to Anticipation rather than Avoidance as I think the change in words really helps boaters focus on prevention rather than cures
Instead of spending all your time trying to memorizing what 20 different acronyms are suppose to mean why not spend time more constructively memorizing actual principles of safety.
