Do you want to go rafting but are nervous about staying safe on the river?
Don’t be! Rafting is an amazing way to get your adrenaline pumping, connect with nature, and have some SERIOUS FUN!
Here’s how to stay safe while whitewater rafting:
1. Book your trip through a reputable outfitter
At Three Rivers, we take extensive measures to ensure the well-being of our guests. We dedicate a large amount of time and resources training our guides to provide you with the best possible experience on the river.
2. Listen to the safety briefing
Every rafting trip begins with a safety briefing at base where we’ll go over all of the information you need to know to stay safe on the river, including what to do if you fall out of the raft. It is a lot of information at once, but don’t worry if you don’t retain everything. Our guides will walk you through everything again at the put-in and are trained to keep you safe and handle anything that may happen on the river.
3. Wear appropriate safety gear
Before the trip our guides will get you suited up in a paddle, PFD, helmet, and wetsuit conditions call for it. They will also help adjust your helmet and PFD to make sure it fits well and everything is properly fastened. In the event you go for a swim in the river – whether intentionally or unintentionally – your PFD has 22 lbs of flotation that will keep you afloat. Also make sure to wear appropriate clothing. check out this blog if you’re not sure what to wear!
4. Follow your guide’s instructions
Our guides have been trained rigorously both on the river and in the classroom to learn the geography of the river, the rapids, the hazards, and how to keep their crew safe. This means that they are experienced in safely navigating the rapids and you should follow their instructions and trust their expertise. If you have a question about safety or the river, ask it! Our guides love sharing their knowledge of the river!
5. Start your trip off right
Before you embark on your trip, make sure to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated! Eat a good breakfast so you’re fueled for the day ahead. Our guides will provide you with snacks and water on the river, but it’s necessary to eat and hydrate before getting on the water. Also make sure to apply sunscreen, the sun can get pretty gnarly during the summer so you’ll want to protect your skin.
Are you nervous about ending up in the water?
It’s not as scary as it seems! For a lot of people, going for a swim during their rafting trip sounds terrifying so know you’re not alone! If you do fall out of the raft, it’s likely you’ll pop up right next to it. If this is the case, grab onto the big floaty thing and your guide will have you back in before you know it. If you pop up and the raft isn’t right next to you, don’t stress! If you can, swim as hard as possible toward the raft. Your guide and the other rafts on your trip will get the crew paddling as hard as they can to come get you!
