Coiba Divers

By: Christina Dawkins
Whitewater rafting can be great fun, but it can also be quite dangerous if certain things are not done properly. Your safety is not something you want to skimp on when you’re on the water.

There are a lot of raft companies operating around the world that send customers on trips without following necessary safety precautions. So you don’t get caught out, read this list below giving a few tips on how to stay safe on the river.

Equipment: Make sure that the company you are using have safe equipment. Ask what type of raft they will be using. The newer self-bailing type of rafts are better for whitewater. Ask if you can see their paddles, plastic ones are better than older wooden ones. Check that the quality of the lifejackets, even if you’re an expert swimmer, when you’re in a rapid you’ll need something to hold you up! You’ll also want a good quality helmet. Make sure they have a throw-line on their raft; this is a long piece of rope in a bag they can throw to get you back in the raft. And even enquire about the small things, like whistles etc as sometimes it’s these smaller items that can save lives.

Ø       Safety talks: Before you hit the water, your guide should go through a safety briefing with your group. They should tell you the commands you can expect to hear on the raft and what to do. They should also demonstrate to you what to do if you come out of the raft, show you how to get rescued and teach you how to help each other. You will also want to know what to do if your raft flips (basically don’t panic!).

Safety kayakers: You’d be surprised how many companies do not make it their policy to have safety kayakers on their trips, but they are vital for your safety. Ideally you want one kayaker per raft. If you are out of the raft, the kayakers are able to get to you and help a lot quicker than the raft can. They can also paddle ahead and check out the upcoming rapids to allow your guide to choose the best line to take down the river. You’d be crazy to go on a trip without a safety kayaker. Please make sure this is one question you do ask. Your Guide: Your guide is the most important tool you have on the river, so you want to make sure that they are properly qualified. And qualifications aren’t everything; you also want to make sure they have experience in running the rivers you are going on. Find out what qualifications they have, how long they have been working for and have they rafted this river before. First Aid: Make sure that the rafts all have a basic medical kit (all personal medication will need to be carried independently) and that someone who is taking the trip has First Aid and CPR. Hopefully you will not need to use this, but it is a good idea to cover your back.   If your guide says NO: If you are enquiring about a trip and your guide says he is not willing to take you, listen to him. There is probably a very good reason! Depending on the time of year some rivers become un-raftable because of the level of water, making it unsafe to run trips. Or you guide may think that the level of the river is too advanced for you and it is not safe for you to run. If you do get turned down by one company please do not find another to take you because it probably isn’t safe.

 When booking a raft trip, make sure you ask as many questions as you like. If the company are as good as they say they are, they will be happy to answers your questions and will have nothing to hide. Booking with the cheapest company around is not necessarily the best deal as they may be cutting costs on your safety and that’s not something you want to mess around with. However, if everything is done correctly and you have a competent guide you will be looking to have one of the best experiences of your life, there is nothing more exhilarating that bouncing down a Class IV rapid.