5 Safety Tips for Whitewater Rafting

Whitewater rafting is one of the best water activities. If you enjoy water sports and a good adrenaline rush, you'll love it. It's a fun team activity that helps you explore the river and the rapids while taking in an area's natural beauty. It also keeps you on your toes as you balance yourself and paddle the raft all at once. Although it's a great outdoor activity, it can also be a little dangerous. It's therefore important for you to know all safety tips before your little water adventure. Here's a list of the most important safety tips for whitewater rafting.

Always Wear a Personal Floatation Device (PFD)

It's important to wear your personal flotation device (PFD), also commonly referred to as a life jacket, at all times. Even if you're a great swimmer, you need to have your life jacket on. Make sure you're wearing it the right way. Buckle it up all the way. It should also be fitted to make sure it doesn't get off over your head if you fall in the water. Ask your professional guide to fit your jacket if you don't know the right way to do it.

Wear Protective Gear

Wearing a PFD is not enough. Make sure to wear a helmet too. It might look like a little too much to you, but if you can tell your kids to wear a helmet when they cycle, you should wear a helmet while rafting. Make sure to leave it on throughout. It'll protect your head from the gushing water of the rapids. Also, it's better to leave your helmet on throughout. Don't remove it until the rafting is over.

Handle the Paddle Properly

Not holding the paddle properly can be a huge safety concern. One of your hands should cover the T grip of the paddle. It's made up of hard plastic and can cause some really serious damage. Make sure to place one hand on the base of the paddle's shaft while the other should be placed on the T grip. This won't just help you handle your paddle better but will also soften the T grip's blow if there's any.

Know the Commands

Make sure to listen carefully to the safety talk before the trip. Your guide may tell you about some very important things that you need to remember, such as safety commands. It's crucial to know all the commands to understand them later. Trust us, you won't have enough time to discuss what they mean once rafting starts.

Wear the Right Outerwear for the Day

Make sure you have the right gear for your trip. The water can be cold and chilly. You should wear a proper wet suit and a splash jacket. Some of the water sports companies may provide you with the gear as well. It's important to check when you book your rafting trip. It's inevitable to get wet, so make sure you wear something that keeps you warm and dry.

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