Self-Rescue
In Rafting and other inherently dangerous activities, people’s safety is and should be the top priority. That is why rescue training is necessary. Everybody should be prepared for any untoward incident. While rescuers are usually available especially when rafting in groups, it is a must to know how to get yourself out of a sticky situation alone. Here are some things to keep in mind when it comes to self-rescue:
- Knowing how to swim will keep you safe in and around the water. It is a plus especially when braving Class IV or V rapids. Make sure you are capable of handling yourself if and when you get thrown out of the Raft. Being a good swimmer will enable you to go to an Eddy or river bank when necessary.
- If you are thrown out of the Raft and you are near it, pull yourself back into it on the upstream side as fast as you can.
- Your Raft can be your saving grace as it will serve as a distress signal for rescuers. However, do not risk your life in saving your Raft (or any other piece of Rafting Gear). Leave it if you think you can save yourself without it.
- Be very careful when wading in water and crossing the river. Do not step on crevices.
- If you are swimming in a rapid, protect yourself against rocks and other obstacles. Float on your back and keep your feet downstream. Make sure that your feet are near the water surface to avoid foot entrapment.
- Learn how to re-right an overturned Raft. Carry out some capsize drills before running the rapids. Kindly read our Capsizing article for more information.
Look after yourself when rafting. Be ready for any worst-case scenario by practicing self-rescue techniques before running challenging rapids.
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