If you’ve never rafted before, consider going with a tour group the first few times or always. Once you are confident in your rafting abilities as well as the skills of those who will be going with you, you can think about going on your own.
If you go on a tour, pay attention to the talk the guide gives before you embark. According to Evan Phillips, Director of Operations for the Canadian Outback Adventure Company in British Columbia, “The safety briefing provides the rafting participant with critical information regarding potential hazards that may be present on a rafting trip and techniques to reduce or eliminate those hazards if encountered. The importance attached to participants receiving this information and listening to the briefing is exponential. Awareness is the first step in avoidance. If people have beforehand knowledge of risks they can make decisions whether to accept those risks and have a foundational understanding of how to react should they find themselves in a situation involving those risks. Additionally they are a part of a team and I would hope that my teammates understood how to help if I need them to.”
Necessary Whitewater Rafting Equipment
- Raft – This will be supplied by the outfitter if you take a tour. If you go on your own, consider the river you’ll be on, the amount of abuse the raft will take, the number of people going with you and the amount of gear you are taking when choosing a boat.
- Oars or paddles – Consider the river you will be on and the skills of those in your group when choosing paddles or oars.
- Lifejacket – See the following section.
- Helmet – Your helmet should cover your entire head, temples and ears and be made specifically for whitewater rafting.
- Wet suit – It is important to stay warm on journeys down our chilly Canadian rivers. A wet suit insulates your body.
- Foot protection – This is necessary to keep your feet warm and protected.
- Throw bag – If someone goes overboard, a throw bag is tossed to the swimmer who is then pulled to safety. Make sure the rope is not coiled into the bag so it will spool out freely to the swimmer. Also called a throw rope or rescue bag
- First aid kit – A well-stocked kit is essential.
- River knife – You never when you may need a sharp tool to immediately cut a rope. Knives with sheaths attach easily to your lifejacket.
- Carabineer – Developed for rock climbing, this oval clip can be used for making pulleys, hooking gear to the raft, clipping lines and manoeuvring ropes.
- Whistle – A handy tool for communication.
- Rope – 30 metres or more of ½ inch rope will come in handy for helping trapped swimmers or freeing rafts.
- Pulley – You’ll be glad you packed a pulley if you need to free your raft.
- Raft repair kit – Glue, material and other necessary bits may be needed to keep the raft afloat. Even in calm waters the raft can hit a rock or other sharp object. Check the kit regularly as glue that is solid won’t do the job.
- Waterproof matches – You never know when you’ll need to start a fire.
- Waterproof bags – You need to keep your gear dry.
The Necessity of Lifejackets
In Canada, a rafter’s personal flotation device (PFD) should be approved by Transport Canada. It needs to fit appropriately and be the proper weight category. Even if water appears smooth, there may be a strong current underneath so never go whitewater rafting without a PFD. As Laurie Johnson, co-owner/co-operator of Shubenacadie River Adventure Tours Ltd. in Nova Scotia says, “What would we say to a guest who wants to take a tour but doesn’t want to wear a lifejacket? Absolutely not! Not under any circumstances. No lifejacket! No tour!”
Scouting a River
If you go on a tour, the guides will have checked the river out for you. If you go rafting on your own, scouting the river is essential. As you travel downstream, stop often and assess the river ahead, looking for dangers and deciding as a group what to do about them.
What to do if You Fall Out of the Raft
Do not panic. Your lifejacket will bring you to the surface. As soon as possible, move into a seated position, legs pointed downstream, knees slightly bent and your toes held high. Now make your way back to the boat or to the shore.
Using a Throw Bag
The first time to use a throw bag is before getting into the raft. Practice before you head to the river. When tossing the throw bag to a swimmer, take into account the current, any obstacles and the swimmer. Toss the bag once you and the swimmer have established eye contact and he knows the bag is on its way.
What Do I Do When the Raft Flips?
A raft can capsize at any time. Even in calm waters, a raft can flip if the weight is not evenly spread out. First of all, stay calm. If the rapids are wild, climb onto the upturned bottom. When you get to an area where it is safe to flip the raft, someone climbs aboard the unturned raft, clips onto it with a carabiner and rope and falls backward into the river, pulling the raft over. If the raft can’t be flipped, get on top and paddle to the shore.
If you come up underneath a capsized raft, use the air trapped between the water and the raft to breathe until you can escape.
Evan Phillips points out, “River rafting is fun and has something to offer for the whole family. Contact your local river rafting or river outfitters association for a list of companies to book with.”
Sources:
- Whitewater Rafting: The Essential Guide to Equipment and Techniques by Graeme Addison (Published in 2002 by Stackpole Books)
- The Complete Whitewater Rafter by Jeff Bennett (Published 1996 by Ragged Mountain Press)
- Trails.com "What Kind of Equipment is Used to Whitewater Rafting?" by Catherine Rees
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Toby Welch - Toby is a full-time freelance writer who specializes in magazine articles, online writing, e-books, and manuscript editing.
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