| Whitewater rafting can be great fun, but it can also | | | | take down the river. You'd be crazy to go on a trip |
| be quite dangerous if certain things are not done | | | | without a safety kayaker. Please make sure this is |
| properly. Your safety is not something you want to | | | | one question you do ask. |
| skimp on when you're on the water. | | | | * Your Guide: Your guide is the most important tool |
| There are a lot of raft companies operating around | | | | you have on the river, so you want to make sure |
| the world that send customers on trips without | | | | that they are properly qualified. And qualifications |
| following necessary safety precautions. So you don't | | | | aren't everything; you also want to make sure they |
| get caught out, read this list below giving a few tips | | | | have experience in running the rivers you are going |
| on how to stay safe on the river. | | | | on. Find out what qualifications they have, how long |
| * Equipment: Make sure that the company you are | | | | they have been working for and have they rafted |
| using have safe equipment. Ask what type of raft | | | | this river before. |
| they will be using. The newer self-bailing type of rafts | | | | * First Aid: Make sure that the rafts all have a basic |
| are better for whitewater. Ask if you can see their | | | | medical kit (all personal medication will need to be |
| paddles, plastic ones are better than older wooden | | | | carried independently) and that someone who is |
| ones. Check that the quality of the lifejackets, even | | | | taking the trip has First Aid and CPR. Hopefully you |
| if you're an expert swimmer, when you're in a rapid | | | | will not need to use this, but it is a good idea to |
| you'll need something to hold you up! You'll also want | | | | cover your back. |
| a good quality helmet. Make sure they have a | | | | * If your guide says NO: If you are enquiring about a |
| throw-line on their raft; this is a long piece of rope in | | | | trip and your guide says he is not willing to take you, |
| a bag they can throw to get you back in the raft. | | | | listen to him. There is probably a very good reason! |
| And even enquire about the small things, like whistles | | | | Depending on the time of year some rivers become |
| etc as sometimes it's these smaller items that can | | | | un-raftable because of the level of water, making it |
| save lives. | | | | unsafe to run trips. Or you guide may think that the |
| * Safety talks: Before you hit the water, your guide | | | | level of the river is too advanced for you and it is |
| should go through a safety briefing with your group. | | | | not safe for you to run. If you do get turned down |
| They should tell you the commands you can expect | | | | by one company please do not find another to take |
| to hear on the raft and what to do. They should also | | | | you because it probably isn't safe. |
| demonstrate to you what to do if you come out of | | | | When booking a raft trip, make sure you ask as |
| the raft, show you how to get rescued and teach | | | | many questions as you like. If the company are as |
| you how to help each other. You will also want to | | | | good as they say they are, they will be happy to |
| know what to do if your raft flips (basically don't | | | | answers your questions and will have nothing to hide. |
| panic!). | | | | Booking with the cheapest company around is not |
| * Safety kayakers: You'd be surprised how many | | | | necessarily the best deal as they may be cutting |
| companies do not make it their policy to have safety | | | | costs on your safety and that's not something you |
| kayakers on their trips, but they are vital for your | | | | want to mess around with. However, if everything is |
| safety. Ideally you want one kayaker per raft. If you | | | | done correctly and you have a competent guide you |
| are out of the raft, the kayakers are able to get to | | | | will be looking to have one of the best experiences |
| you and help a lot quicker than the raft can. They | | | | of your life, there is nothing more exhilarating that |
| can also paddle ahead and check out the upcoming | | | | bouncing down a Class IV rapid. |
| rapids to allow your guide to choose the best line to | | | | |