10 Whitewater Rafting Condom Tips from Raft Masters

Whether on vacation or just getting out of the house to cool off, whitewater rafting is a fun and invigorating outdoor activity and a bang-up fashion to savor the outdoors no affair what your ability or experience level.  White water rafting is not but for the crazy hard core mountain people anymore.  This popular sport is now more than main stream than ever before.  No pun intended.  Just in that location are a few steps that y'all and your family can take to insure that your white water feel is a good i that you will expect dorsum on your experience in a positive way for years to come.

Rafting is fun! By post-obit a couple of safety rules it tin can exist even more enjoyable. Here are 10 safety rules that will help yous and your family to enjoy the smashing outdoor experience known as whitewater rafting.

10 Whitewater Rafting Safety Tips

  1. Choose a licensed and professional person rafting outfitter.

    When shopping for an outfitter, enquire them questions.  Encounter how long they have been in business concern nether the current buying.  Inquire them what kind of training their guides have and what government entity manages their outfitters permit and preparation practices.  This will let y'all know that you are working with a professional outfitter. Picking a professional outfitter will help ensure that the following rules are followed.

  2. life jacketsAlways wear a life jacket, or personal flotation device (PFD).

    Although only because you wear a life jacket, it doesn't mean it volition save your life.  It must be worn correctly. All buckles must exist clipped and the jacket should be fitted snug to your body.  The play tricks here is to have the jacket fitted and so you can breathe even so the jacket should not be able to be pulled up over your caput.  Ever have your professional guide fit your jacket.  This will insure a perfect fit.

  3. Exist safe and comfortable. Wear the protective gear.

    Whitewater Rafting SafetyAlways wear a helmet no matter what level of rafting yous are participating in.  Let'due south face information technology, you wouldn't let your kids out to ride their cycle or go roller blading without a helmet, why go whitewater rafting without ane?  Information technology just makes good sense.

  4. Make sure y'all have the right outerwear for the day.

    In early on Leap, the water may be a lilliputian chilly. Wearing a wet adjust, splash jacket, and proper river shoes tin make the trip much more comfortable, allowing yous to enjoy the thrill without the chill.  Some outfitters rent this gear.  A reputable outfitter will have gear for you.  Detect out before you book if the outfitter has gear for you. Raft Masters includes this gear equally part of the packet at no boosted cost.  On the other side of the spectrum: exist prepared for sunny articulate days. This tin can exist accomplished by wearing quick drying wear like polypro and wearing sunscreen and a cheap pair of sunglasses with UV protection.  Raft Masters sells dominicus screen, sunglasses, and straps for your sunglasses so yous don't lose them.  Remember sunburns tin happen fast at higher elevation and tin be severe.   Sunburns or hypothermia are no fun.

  5. Whitewater Rafting paddleConcord the paddle properly.

    Holding the paddle properly can be a huge safe concern.  One paw should be at the base of operations of the paddle on the shaft.  The other hand should Always be on the stop of the shaft over the "T" grip.  The "T" grip is made of hard plastic and can blacken eyes and knock out teeth.  Keeping your hand over the "T" grip will go along control of the paddle and cushion the blow if it should happen.  Ask your professional person commercial guide for the proper technique.

  6. Stay in the boat!

    This sounds like common sense, but it tin happen.  One minute you lot are in the gunkhole and the next you are pond next to it.  When rafting, pay attention and watch for rocks coming from downstream.  Your guide may utilise a command called "Bump" but earlier the boat hits a rock.  If your guide calls out, "Bump!" lean in while placing your paddle "T" grip on the flooring of the boat.  Make sure you still keep your hand over the grip.  If the "Bump" command is executed correctly your blade cease of the paddle will be up in the air and your fist over the grip volition be on the floor of the boat.  This should keep you lot in the boat. Later on the boat collides with the stone, return to your seat and be ready to paddle.  If you fall out of the boat, the most important matter to do is… DON'T PANIC!  Find your boat.  Near times when someone falls out of the gunkhole they pop up correct next to the gunkhole.  Grab it so yous don't float away.  If you are a couple of feet away from the boat, swim to the boat.  If y'all pop up and yous are far from the boat, await for other rescue options, other boats or the riverbank. Remember, in that location are two riverbanks for your convenience, 1 on either side of the river. If you are panicking you won't think near getting back to the gunkhole and the rescue becomes more than difficult.  Your guide volition go over this in great particular during the rubber talk before the trip.

  7. Know the proper swimming techniques.

    Whitewater Rafting boatWhen swimming in the river, whether you fall out or you jump in for fun, there are two techniques.  The first is the "Downwards River Swimmers Position".  This is on your back, nose and toes to the sky with your caput up so y'all can encounter where yous are going. Anxiety down stream with your knees slightly bent.  This style if yous come in contact with a stone you tin employ your feet and legs as shock absorbers and push off the stone.  Arms should be out to your side to help proceed yourself in control.  A helpful hint here: keep your butt up.  If yous sit with your barrel depression in the h2o, y'all will find a rock and bring home some interesting bruises.  Guys, keep your legs together.  If you hit a rock we call this "romancing the stone. " There is no romance for a couple of weeks after.  The second swimmers position is becoming more popular and more than excepted in rescue situations.  This position is on your tummy doing your best Michael Phelps impersonation.  Point to where you desire to become and go.  Swim until you lot are out of the river.  Again your guide volition explain when information technology is all-time to use which swimming position.

    If yous choose to swim to the shore, swim all the way to the shore. NEVER stand up in moving electric current.  Nigh guides never walk in water over their shins.  This prevents a situation chosen "Human foot Entrapment" which is where you put your size 9 foot in a size eight pigsty or crack in the lesser of the river.  This is non a good place to be but it is so like shooting fish in a barrel not to go in this situation, just don't walk in the river.  It is just that easy.

  8. Know the commands – High-Siding.

    When you are listing to your guide's safety talk before the trip, pay extra attention to the function virtually high-siding.  High-siding is a command that your guide may call out as a last ditch effort to proceed the gunkhole from capsizing. Remember: don't panic! Chances are this won't happen, but if it does you volition have wished you paid attention during the safety talk.  This situation tends to stress both guides and clients out but really it is a super like shooting fish in a barrel command to execute.  If the boat hits a rock or gets in a hydraulic, the boat is normally in a sideways position in the river.  Water pressure will build on the upstream side of the boat, which can flip the boat over.  But if your guide is Johnny on the spot and calls out, "High-side!" you need to go to the downstream part of the boat (the fashion the water is moving) by getting up and throwing your weight to the downstream tube of the raft.  Easy peasy!  Recall to ever go the direction the river is flowing: downstream.

  9. Whitewater Rafting Safety TipsNever panic!

    Panicking is a waste of time.

  10. Listen to your guide during the safety talk and on the water.

    Your experienced Raft Masters' guide is trained to know exactly how to handle any blazon of situation encountered while on the river. View our whitewater rafting rubber video.

Depend on Raft Masters to Give You the Ride of a Lifetime

Raft Masters is a long-time member of the Colorado River Outfitters Association (CROA), America Outdoors (AO), and All-Outdoors Whitewater Rafting. We provide many amenities for our customers, including:

• Whitewater Rafting ColoradoGuides trained in CPR and first help

• Comprehensive prophylactic orientation before all trips

• Free use of wetsuits, river boots and paddle jackets

• Two-way radio communication

• Weekend trips at no extra charge

• Short shuttle services

• Handicapped accessible

By following these bones tips and listening to your guide during your white water rafting take a chance, you can safely feel the dazzler of nature, the roaring blitz of water as you ride the river'south flow and the memorable thrill of whitewater rafting. Hope to see you soon!