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Safety Terms & Instructions

Be sure to raft at your physical fitness (Please disclose before participating, if you are suffering from heart problem, Epilepsy or any other disease, then we can take necessary arrangements)
 

Wear the life Jacket (Personal Floatation Device- PFD ) even though you are a good swimmer. Also make sure that you get it checked by our staff to make sure that the PFD is the correct size and all of the fasteners are clipped and Tighten to a comfortable snug.

 
Before going on the river have a partner lift on your PFD to make sure that it will not slip off. This is done for two reasons.
1. If you fall out of the boat the PFD needs to be tight enough that it will not slip off.
2. If you fall out of the boat your rafting partners will be pulling you back into the raft by your PFD.
 
When rafting in a Class III or higher river, wearing a helmet is a must. Also, make sure that the chinstrap is secure and placed correctly to the chin and the helmet is placed on the head facing the correct way as depicted in the picture given below.

 
Always carry a paddle when going down a river. Do not drag your paddle in the water while you are at rest. It tends to make the raft drag on one side. Hold the paddle by the T-Grip at all times. A loose T-Grip can be very painful if the blade of the paddle hits a rock. Watch out the embed video for Rafting Paddle Tips.

 


Forward Paddling Techniques for Whitewater Rafting
 
Don’t panic when you fall out! follow instructions as given below.

Closer Range: If you have fall out of the raft try to get closer to the raft, so you can grab the perimeter rope and wait for one of your raft mates to help pull you back into the raft.
Mid Range: If it's a mid Range; look for a T-Grip to be extended to you from the raft, so you can hold it and get closer to the raft.
Long Range: If you are past the rapids and in clear water, try to swim to the raft or close enough that someone in the raft can extend their T-Grip to you. If you are just before a rapid or in a rapid when you fall out, assume the whitewater swimmers position.

Whitewater Swimmers Position I. (Rapids / Long Swim)
Lie on your back
Legs extended down river
Keep head back and toes above the water

Whitewater Swimmers Position II (Falls)
Lie on your back
Pull knees up to your chest and hug them
 
To secure yourself in the raft, wedge your foot between the side of the raft and the inflatable support in front of you. If you are in the front of the raft, some rafts have foot holes to secure your feet.
Find the perimeter rope. This is the rope that goes all the way around your raft. If you should fall out of the raft, while going down the river, try to grab the perimeter rope on your way out. Or grab it when you get back to the raft.
 

Use suitable dress for rafting. (Most of the time shorts and T-shirt will work)

 

Use sun cream or sun block, if you need to protect your skin from Sun Shine.

 

Ask straps for your glasses.

 

Bring water proof bags or rent from us if you want to carry your digital camera or valuables.

 

Respect the local culture and adapt to it in case of need.

 

Raft at your performance level (if you are a beginner, don’t attempt to take on “level 4” rapids.

 

Do not take alcohol.

 
Don’t wear jewelry or expensive watches.
 
Don’t put anything to river.
 
Don’t try to catch or obstruct to birds on the way.
 
Don’t put anything in your pocket.
 
Listen and follow the guide’s instruction well.
 
If someone in your raft should fall out;

If the swimmer is close to the raft, grab the shoulders of their PFD, put one leg on the edge of the raft, tell the swimmer that you are going to pull on the count of 3. Count to 3 and pull them into the raft by falling backwards and pulling hard on their shoulder straps.

If the swimmer is close to the raft but too far to reach with your hands, extend the T-Grip of your paddle to them and use it to pull them in. Then go ahead with the procedure listed above.

If the swimmer is not close to the raft, either throw a rope to the swimmer or paddle over to them. If you can not paddle to them due to a rapid, instruct the swimmer to assume the whitewater swimmers position until after the rapids then get them back in the raft.