Equipment

Wetsuits

Wetsuits are commonly used in canyoning but not all canyons well require a wetsuit. Dry canyons which are found in certain areas generally do not require a wetsuit but areas with water usually require a wetsuit either due to the nature of the canyon or the temperature of the water.

The wetsuit will depend on where you go canyoning and the amount of canyoning you intend to do. It needs to be thick enough to provide warmth for the canyons you intend to descend and flexible enough to allow movement when swimming, jumping, abseiling and climbing. The wetsuit should also be form fitting and be resistant to abrasion by having laminated areas on the knees, elbows and rear.

Neoprene wetsuits from 3mm to 7mm are quite common form most canyoning. For the type of construction we can choose between tailor made or commercial products and of course subject to the play of sizes. Custom made wetsuits are considerably more expensive. They usually come in two different form factors, single piece or two piece consisting of a Jacket and a Long John.

General Guideline

• Water temperature is 18° or more a full length wetsuit of 2mm ~ 3mm should acceptable.
• Water temperature is between 14° ~ 18° cold a full length wetsuit of 4mm ~ 5mm should acceptable.
• Water temperature is below 14° a Two Piece wetsuit of 4mm ~ 5mm would be required acceptable.
• Ice canyoning a Dry Suit is considered the minimum due to the extremes of the season.

Manufactures

• Seland (Spain)
• Vade Retro (France)
• Artistic (Germany)
• Seventh Wave (New Zealand)
• Seatec (Australia)

Helmet

There is no helmet made specifically for Canyoning so a helmet used for climbing or caving (Certification EN 12492) is recommended. It is advisable not to use canoe, kayak or cycling helmets for canyoning. These style of helmets have openings at the top of the helmet and these could potentially cause issues if rocks or equipment fall from height.

When choosing a helmet, pay attention important features such as:

• Easily adjustable and large enough fit comfortably
• Be able to wear a Neoprene hood or cap under the helmet
• Wraparound shape offering little resistance to water
• Ability to attach a headlamp
• Ability to attach an emergency whistle

Manufactures

• Camp
• Edelrid
• Grivel
• Kong
• Petzl

Carabiners

Carabiners are essential and it’s recommended that they all should be locking types. Large HMS Carabiners like the Petzl William are one type that is suggested. Auto Locking are carabiners are acceptable but screw gate is preferred. Selecting carabiners is personal choice but it is advised that they be all the same type and brand. Always have spare carabiners with you and don’t forget to mark them with your own particular branding such as tape or nail polish.

Manufactures

• Black Diamond
• Kong
• Rock Exotica
• Petzl

Whistle

Whistles are fundamental for communication in a canyon and must work well even when wet. The recommended whistle for canyoning is the FOX 40 Classic. It should be fastened to the helmet with a thin elastic cord that reaches the mouth and also break if needed.

Do not tie a whistle to the zipper of the wetsuit around neck or keep it in the pocket of the backpack.

Slings

At least 1 x 120 cm and 1 x 60cm. Used to connect two anchor points, foot loops for ascending or to extend an anchor.

Diving Mask

A diving mask is necessary to inspect the canyon pools before jumping or a sliding. Canyon formations change all the time so rocks and other debris may have moved since the previous time. They are also useful incase you lose something on the bottom. The diving masks, however, cover over the eyes of even the nose; in this way, during the dive, it is possible to blow air inside the mask, to compensate for the pressure and avoid suction of the mask.

Small swimming goggles should not be used as they have a tendency to be suctioned to your eyes. Under strong water flow they could potentially damage your eyes.

Storage Container

One of the most critical components in the equipment canyoning, the Storage Container. This not only to keep items to stay dry but as well acting as a float inside bag in when it is transported.

Dry bags are actually considered to be waterproof but sooner or later they do end up with some water in them. Double dry bags (i.e. DryBag inside another DryBag) seem to be a acceptable solution. For storage containers, many type have been tested and only a few are acceptable. The one we recommend is the standard Curtec 6 Litre Container.

The equipment that should store inside the container (as well as clothes used on the approach) is:

• Head Lamp & spare batteries.
• Lighter, Matches and Candle.
• Emergency glow stick.
• Emergency thermal blanket.
• Tablets for water purification.
• First aid kit
• Energy Bars / Snacks / Food

First Aid

We recommend that at a minimum every canyoneer should take a Wilderness Medical Basic First Aid Course. You should have your own Emergency Kit that you take with you. Guides will carry and have in their cars more advanced kits.

What to carry in First Aid kit depends on each particular country and what level of medical rescue you wish to provide. You can make you’re own or buy a pre made kist. Just make sure you know what is in it and that you check the contents regularly.

Our Basic First Aid Kit consists of:

• Sam Splint
• 2 x Crepe Bandages
• 10mm & 25mm Tape
• Band Aids / NexCare
• 2 x Triangle Slings
• Gauze – Cotton Pads
• Trauma Sheers
• Blunt and Fine Tweezers
• CPR Mask
• Syringe (Wound Cleaning)
• Lighter – Waterproof Matches – Candle
• Emergency Blanket
• Notebook – Pencil
• SOAP Note
• Povidone Swabs
• Paracetamol / Ibuprofen
• Burn Cream
• Eye Drops – Wash

Always carry a First Aid Kit with you even if you are only planning a short trip.

Other Equipment

As always there is other equipment you may need depending on your level of canyoning. There will be other items or less items that each canyoneer uses, prefers or carries with them. Always make sure everyone in your group knows what each person is carrying. We have listed some of the items below which may be beneficial to you.

Quick Draw: 17cm quickdraw with 1 x HMS Carabiner & 1 Oval Carabiner
Petzl Shunt: Rope Clamp. Used for ascending and other applications.
Petzl Tibloc: Light weight rope grabber. Used with the Quick Draw.
Micro Traxion: Pulley and Tibloc rolled into one device.
Prussic Cord: Used for ascending and rescue situations.
Anchor Kit: Used to placing anchors in rock or around trees.