River Rafting Trips: 5 Safety Tips

If you are going river rafting, you'll want to look over this River Rafting Trips: 5 Safety Tips guide before heading out. Do as much as you can to prepare at home, but always make sure to pay attention during the trip itself to ensure a safe journey. Don’t shoot over your head by choosing a trip beyond your abilities.

1. Don’t raft alone. Join a group or at least bring a companion along. If you’re taking on the river by yourself, leave your trip details with the local outfitter where you rented the raft. This is one of the most important safety tips for river rafting trips so make sure to let them know when you’re expected back that way if something goes wrong, they’ll know when to look for help.
2. Follow the guide’s advice. Whether this is your first trip or your first time in a particular river, if you have a river rafting guide, listen to the safety tips and instructions from the guide carefully. The experts will be able to tell you about tricky areas of the river, the do’s and don’ts of the area, and what to look out for. If there’s no guide available where you’re going, bring an experienced rafter with you if possible. If neither option is available, use any available resources to research your trip beforehand.
3. Raft at your performance level. If you are a beginner, don’t attempt to take on "level 4" rapids. It’s just a recipe for disaster. If you’re in a group, choose a river rafting trip that fits the level of the weakest members. They’ll need to be able to pull their weight for the trip to succeed, and so will you.
4. Raft at your age level. Children should not go on advanced river rafting trips, especially if they’re under the age of 10. The same is true of people over 60, unless they’re experienced rafters.
5. Prepare in advance. Have food and water with you. Bring sunscreen and sunglasses to not only protect you from the sun but also ensure you can see well in the glare. For stronger currents, wear a lifejacket, even if you’re a good swimmer.

By preparing for river rafting trips using these 5 safety tips you will protect yourself from possible injury and ensure a safe and fun trip for yourself.