There are two kinds of rafters: those who have flipped a rig and those who will. For this reason, all rafts should be equipped with a system to perform self-recovery in mid-current. The best method is to pre-tie one-inch, tubular webbing across the bottom of the middle of the raft. This gives you a "handle" in the event of a flip to pull yourself up onto the boat, and then flip your boat back over without having to get it to shore. Worried about snags? Connect the webbing to the floor lacing with loops of light cord. Like a sheer pin on an outboard propeller, these loops will break if you do snag the "flip line" on a shallow rock. An ounce of prevention, as the saying goes, will make you thankful that you're prepared for the inevitable.

-- Les Bechdel, co-author of River Rescue



It takes more than just a boat, PFDs, and some oars or paddles for a properly equipped river trip -- don't forget the rescue gear! At a minimum, include a rescue throwbag for personal safety and a pair of flipbags for a quick recovery from an embarrassing pancake. Stowing your bowline in a bag increases your safety margin by minimizing the potential for a deadly line entrapment during a flip.



A loose line in a raft creates a needless hazard. Always secure your bow or stern line by tying it in a tight hank, or girth hitch it through the hand line. Perimeter hand lines should be tightened so no passenger can accidentally slip a leg or arm through. If you must rig a "chicken strap," don't run it down the length of the raft. Instead, place it across the raft over a thwart tube. Keep it snug by gluing a d-ring in mid-center. Rivers have enough natural hazards; we don't need to create any more.

-- Les Bechdel, co-author of River Rescue



North America, in particular the West, has had bigger than average snowpacks for the last three winters. This has brought big, cold, fast-moving water in the runoffs -- and the need for paying closer attention to raft formation on the river. Big-water safety for rafts should be based on the principle of running close together. If a rig flips, or if you have a swimmer, it takes forever to catch up to them when whitewater is continuous. The safety premise is that each raft has a throwing zone of 50-70 feet. As the rafts descend the river, these throwing zones should overlap, so the rafts are no more than 140 feet apart and can offer mutual support. All passengers should be trained in hurling throw bags, and each raft should be equipped with multiple throw bags in case you have multiple swimmers. Remember, too, to keep a close eye on both the boat in front of you and the boat behind you! When first trying the "zone" approach, you may feel like you are driving bumper to bumper on some L.A. freeway. Of course, there are legitimate concerns about mishaps caused by following too closely, like a pileup on a strainer or taking the wrong line. Don't develop tunnel vision, but run tight, and in "the zone," and you'll be ready if calamity occurs. Contributed by Les Bechdel, co-author, River Rescue. Les is perhaps the industry's preeminent river safety expert and his book is a "must-read"resource for any river runner.