The do's and don'ts of safe white water rafting

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 14, 27 August 1985, Page 20

The do's and don'ts of safe white water rafting

Rafting has again come to the public's attention as a result of an accident on the upper Tongariro River which took the lives of four people earlier this year. They were riding a homemade raft constructed from tractor tubes and a wire mesh gate. Rivers are graded according to difficulty and danger in New Zealand by the N.Z. Canoeing Association, and the upper Tongariro is considered a Grade 4 river and highly dangerous for rafting on, in home-made rafts of any description. Rafting and 'tubing' can be great fun for amateurs provided simple guidelines are strictly observed. Like many other water related sports, commonsense plays a large part, and an appreciation that your enjoyment is taking place in a potentially dangerous element. The danger presents a challenge, which is of course part of the appeal. The risk can be minimised but not removed, and the basic commonsense approach is to know as much as you can about the risk to which you are subjecting yourself, and how to deal with it — before you launch yourself into the water. The following are a few points to bear in mind: 1. DONT go rafting on any river with which you are unfamliar or which is of a grade beyond your previous experience — like any other water sport you need to walk before you try to run, and you should 'work upwards' in difficulty, experiencing each stage in the company of

those who have done it before. Unfamiliar rivers need 'homework' before being attempted, discussion and advice with and from those who know it, even scouting the passage to become familiar with the hazards to be encountered. 2. DONT go rafting on high volume rivers in home-made rafts. 3. DO wear a suitable buoyancy aid at all times while your raft is on the water. 4. DO wear a safety helmet on rivers of more than Grade 2. 5. DO wear a wet suit on rivers whose temperatures are below 15° C. Never under-estimate the effect of cold water immersion — Cold shock. 6. DO seek advice from professional rafters before setting off. 7. DO establish weather and river conditions from an informed and reliable source. 8. DO carry the following items of equipment on your raft: (a) Paddles and spares (b) Safety ropes (c) Bailers (d) First Aid kit (e) Repair kit (f) Food rations (g) A knife with a protected blade (h) Something to assist location from the air, i.e., an orange distress sheet, matches to light a fire to make

smoke, a torch, flare/ smoke. NOTE — All small items of equipment should be stowed in a buoyant waterproof container and secured to the raft in such a way that you can readily free them for use. Spare paddles, bailers, ropes, etc., should also be secured in this way. (And remember the knife to cut securing ropes if they become jammed.) 9. DO let someone know your planned route and estimated time of arrival at your take out point, with instructions to immediately inform the police in the event of being overdue. 10. DO get a copy of the pamphlet put out by the New Zealand Water Safety Council and the Small Boat Safety Committee entitled, 'Guide for River Rafting' and remember advice is available from Professional Rafting operators and the New Zealand Canoeing Association. 11. IT is wise to remember that when rafting in some regions, you can be stranded in the bush miles Jrom anywhere, so some knowledge of how to survive in the bush is another commonsense precaution. The New Zealand Mountain Safety Council

Inc. can supply the necessary information. 12. RADIO — The use of bleepers and citizen band radio does give an added chance for location and they are sometimes carried on rafts, especially when overnight stops are planned. 13. REMEMBER — Most rivers rise quickly in height with an increased rate of flow, during and following heavy rain. Discoloured water is usually an indication of rising levels. Don't attempt to start on a trip in marginal conditions when the river is rising. 14. KEEP YOUR RAFT SHIPSHAPE — A tidy ship (or in this case raft), goes a long way towards safety. Loose ends or bights of rope, can be dangerous and may trap a limb in an emergency. 15. FINALLY -a Rafting should be restricted to daylight hours. There is a great deal to know about safe rafting, and do 's and don 'ts are only part of the story. It starts with the safe construction of the raft and the water it will handle, and continues through to survival when the worst happens. Go to those who know, and find out how to handle the sport.