Rafting – Safety
White water rafting can be a dangerous sport, especially if the usual safety precautions are not observed. In the past there have been many accidents, although these were predominantly in private travel before rafting companies became licensed and charter operations were given guidelines for safety. In many parts of the world, mandatory safety measures now exist for rafting operators, which include certification of outfitters, rafts, and raft leaders, strict regulations specifying the equipment that must be carried and insurance requirements on the rafting operator.
However, before reserving a rafting trip, you would be wise to discuss safety measures with the rafting operator and to ask your travel insurer if rafting is covered by your insurance – many companies treat this as an extreme sport that requires a separate policy. The quality and maintenance of the equipment and the qualifications of the raft leader are essential information and if you feel a raft looks weak or overly pounded by the elements or the leader does not ask the kind of questions that will establish everybody’s competence and health, you may want to think again!
River classifications exist to help you understand the kind of trip you are undertaking and you should familiarise yourself with them. However, these do change over time, for example the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon was once a famously dangerous river, destroying many 19th century expeditions both smashing their rafts and drowning the explorers, but today hundreds of raft trips are made on it each year by commercial rafting companies transporting relatively novice rafters.
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