Arkansas Canoe Club
School of Whitewater Paddling
Emergency Contacts and Plans
Cell Phone coverage has improved in the Mulberry River Valley in the last two or three years. However, coverage can be very spotty and varies between service providers. Please check your cell service at Turner Bend, Byrds, and along the river. Be aware of where your cell phone works and where it doesn't.
Cell phone numbers of the school director, the shuttle boss, and others will be in the materials provided for each class at check in. Key numbers may also be distributed to Instructors by email also.
Please keep the numbers for the school director and the shuttle boss easily accessible. Please keep us informed!
Telephones are available at Turner Bend Store and Byrd's Canoe Rental.
Emergency Services -- 911 --
You must know where you are for 911 Responders to find you. Be prepared to describe your location relative to the common access points, numbered roads, and campgrounds.
Nearest Hospital is Turner Memorial Hospital, 801 W River St, Ozark 479-667-4138
Franklin County Sheriff 479-667-4127
Johnson County Sheriff 479-754-2200
USDA Forest Service
Boston Mountain Ranger District
Ozark, AR
479-667-2191
Pleasant Hill Ranger District
Clarksville, AR
479-754-2864
Turner Bend Store 479-667-3641
The Mulberry River is in Franklin County from just below Jump Start and above Whoop and Holler all the way down to Mill Creek Access. Redding, Turner Bend, Milton Ford, Campbell Cemetery, Spirits Creek, Hurricane Creek and Shores Lake are all in Franklin County.
The upper part of the Mulberry River is in Johnson County
East of Lizard Springs on Highway 215, including High Bank, Little Mulberry, Yale Church, and Wolf Pen CampGround are in Johnson County
Emergency Action Plans
- Notify ACC School Director or Shuttle Boss of your planned locations and takeout times for each day.
- Do your best to anticipate, avoid, and prepare for accidents and medical emergencies that could affect your group.
- Instructors please carry a first aid kit, throw ropes, and other approprate gear.
- If you have minors under age 18 in your class, get a Medical Release from them before school starts.
- If there is a serious injury:
- Don't let a bad situtation get worse. Don't create more victims.
- Keep your group together and away from danger
- Rescue the victim without complicating the injury when possible
- Assess the nature of injuries and determine emergency care procedures that suit the situation.
- Usually expect to care for both the injured persons and also other paddlers who may have adverse psychological effects.
- Allow the person with highest level medical training to provide medical care, provide all possible assistance and support
- Use good judgement when sending for help or evacuating the victim. Consider your location, distance to help both down river and overland, hazards to runners, and effects of separating the group.
- 911 Service will dispatch either ambulance or helicopter as needed, but in most cases along the Mulberry river you will have to help them find you.
- Know your location and be sure the dispatcher understands where you are.
- Get someone in the open on a road or landing zone to point emergency responders to you.
- Use mirrors, smoke, or lights to help the helicopter find you.
- Give assistance to other ACC participants and Instructors if they are in danger.
- Review the incident and discuss concerns with the class afterward. Allow all who want to express their feelings about the experience.
Notify ACC School Director of any injuries, property damages, or near miss accidents.
In case of human death notify the School Director, the appropriate County Sheriff, and then USFS District Ranger.
ACC School of Whitewater Paddling General Information
Instructor Information Page
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For questions or comments about this page use Private Message on ACC Message Board to Arthur Bowie
update 3/7/08 A Bowie