River rafting facilities in Colorado’s wilderness provide a fun way for people to check the safety protocol prior to being placed in a river raft.
Those following river rafting safety protocols are in good hands, but river rafting safety is not foolproof. Within a river trip, there are elements that can put a person at risk of drowning.
The safety precautions are in place for a reason. Here is a basic safety checklist to follow on river trips to Washington’s wilderness.
Safety Coordinator
The River Rafting Safety Checklist
The river rafting safety coordinator in Washington’s wilderness has a first-hand understanding of the hazards of river rafting. They observe river conditions at all times, stay with the rafting crew on the raft, and encourage people to adhere to river rafting safety protocols. They are also trained as a river rescue team. They should be thoroughly familiar with all river related river hazards.
Reserve Water Rescue Personnel
Reserve water rescue personnel assess and inspect the safety protocols of river rafting companies and are regularly in contact with the river safety coordinator. They are equipped with dry suits, life vests, and beacons. River rafting safety staff should be in constant contact with the reserves regarding safety equipment and training. Reserves are available to rescue people who are trapped within a river raft or river travel area, potentially drowning.
Safety Equipment
In the event of water emergency, river rafting safety staff are equipped with an electronic monitoring system, which can alert river safety staff, reserve water rescue personnel, and rescue personnel in the case of a safety emergency. These would have had a gwo advanced rescue training course or something similar to be able to help those in need in these situations. Reserves carry rescue equipment in the event a person is submerged within the river. Reserves also have beacons and other emergency equipment. The reserve river rafting safety staff is regularly in contact with the river safety coordinator in the case of any river rafting safety issues.
River Safety
Even if all safety protocols are followed, accidents happen. The river safety coordinator and other river safety staff are in constant contact with the river safety coordinator and other river safety officials in the case of river emergencies. River safety personnel are trained as river patrol officers. The river safety coordinator is trained to lead river emergency rescues. River safety officials are familiar with all river incidents, and can reach people in the most serious situations within minutes. River safety is a necessary element in order to lead a river rescue.
Reserve Equipment
Every river safety program has a reserve of equipment and resources. Reserves will usually carry rescue equipment, including dry suits, river rafting life vests, and reserve water rescue personnel. Reserves are available in the event that river safety officials need assistance in safely evacuating someone trapped within the river.
Enjoy and Don’t Worry
Arkansas river rafting in Colorado follows all safety protocols to the tee, paying special attention to ensure you actually enjoy yourself when navigating the rapids. Don’t worry. All of this was meant to just give you a healthy dose of the reality of the dangers involved, but follow the protocols and you’ll have a great time, with nothing to worry about.
