Rafting

Certification and safety matters

Certification and Experience of instructors
River Runners are certified by Uttarakhand Government & Indian Association of Professional Rafting Outfitters. Senior instructors have typically 10 to 15 years of rafting experience and have lead expeditions of armed forces and won rafting championships.

Certification of equipment, rafts
The rafting Equipments are certified and inspected by IAPRO and Uttarakhand Tourism Department (Renewed July 2008). All the rafts and accessories are brought from NRS (North West River Supplies).

Safety aspects while rafting

• The safety talk and demo is given by the trip leader before the start of every rafting trip.

• Inform if anyone is a non swimmer, has a physical disability or medical condition, is very nervous or is on any treatment.

• Inform if anyone is a doctor, nurse or paramedic.

• Check your own PFDs (personal floating devices) and helmets for fit and comfort. Wear PFDs and helmets at all times

• If wearing spectacles, tie them on

• Have sun block lotion and have a wind cheater handy for cold

• Do not drink alcohol or take drugs during the day on the river. These substances often make people uncoordinated, reckless or sleepy.

• Anyone on medication should report it to the trip leader or deputy and discuss the implications.

Minimum Impact

* Do not urinate in the river
* Do not build bonfires or use driftwood
* Carry cigarette butts away with you when you leave

Safety Warnings

• Never attempt to shoot a rapid alone

• Never paddle or hike away from the party

• Never tie yourself to a raft or attach a line to any part of your body while rafting, swimming or wading

• Never jump from rock to rock or jump onto piles of driftwood when scouting from the bank. Step carefully

• Never jump or dive in the river unless you have checked that it is deep enough.

• Do not use paddles in water fights or pull anyone into the water. 

• Never drink unpurified river water, even from creeks and spring that seem clear.

• Never drag rafts over the ground; carry them

• Wash off your sandals or booties before stepping in the raft

Warning if swimming

• Do not stand up or wade in moving water above the knees

• When swimming down river, breathe in at the troughs between waves and not at the peaks

• Whenever swimming, try to rescue yourself by reaching calm eddy or rock ledge.

• If and when you fall in, keep your feet near the surface to avoid snagging them in rocks.

• Float down river feet first with the knees slightly bent and the arms wide.

• Use your feet, thighs and bottom to deflect any rocks.

Handling emergency - Rescue and evacuation

The River Runners are First Aid certified from St. John Ambulance (Red Cross Society) & East West Rescue Course.

Evacuation depends on the kind of river one runs. Ganges or Tons has the advantage of the road support so evacuation is always possible during the trip. Moreover safety kayakers always accompany the rafting trips to evacuate people out from strong eddies.