ACA ACA Equipment & Gear Knowledge 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does 'Type III' refer to on a US Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device (PFD)?
- Offshore life preserver for rough water
- Flotation aid for calm inland water activities (Correct answer)
- Throwable device
- Immersion suit
Correct answer: Flotation aid for calm inland water activities
A Type III PFD is a flotation aid approved for calm inland water paddling activities and general recreational use.
Question 2: What is the ACA's minimum PFD standard for students during instructional courses?
- PFDs must be in the boat but not required to be worn
- PFDs must be Coast Guard-approved and worn at all times on the water (Correct answer)
- Only Type V PFDs are acceptable
- PFDs are optional for adult students
Correct answer: PFDs must be Coast Guard-approved and worn at all times on the water
ACA requires all students to wear Coast Guard-approved PFDs at all times while on the water during instructional sessions.
Question 3: Which kayak hull design is most suitable for ACA flatwater beginner instruction due to its stability?
- Planing hull
- Displacement hull with flat or pontoon bottom (Correct answer)
- Rounded hull
- V-hull
Correct answer: Displacement hull with flat or pontoon bottom
A displacement hull with a flat or pontoon-style bottom offers the primary stability needed for beginning flatwater kayaking instruction.
Question 4: What is the recommended paddle length for a beginner kayaker who is 5'8" using a touring kayak?
- 200 cm
- 210 cm
- 220 cm (Correct answer)
- 230 cm
Correct answer: 220 cm
A 220 cm paddle is generally recommended for a medium-height paddler using a standard-width touring kayak.
Question 5: What is the purpose of a spray skirt during kayak instruction?
- Adds buoyancy to the kayak
- Prevents water from entering the cockpit (Correct answer)
- Improves forward paddling efficiency
- Provides thermal insulation for the paddler
Correct answer: Prevents water from entering the cockpit
A spray skirt seals the cockpit opening to prevent water from splashing or waves from flooding the kayak's interior.
Question 6: Which helmet standard does ACA recommend for whitewater instruction?
- ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 industrial hard hat
- CE EN 1385 or equivalent whitewater helmet standard (Correct answer)
- CPSC bicycle helmet standard
- No specific helmet standard is required
Correct answer: CE EN 1385 or equivalent whitewater helmet standard
ACA recommends helmets meeting CE EN 1385 or an equivalent whitewater paddling standard for use during river instruction.
ACA ACA Equipment & Gear Knowledge 1
What does 'Type III' refer to on a US Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device (PFD)?