Making a river trip a safe and enjoyable experience.

Everyone who comes out on our rafting trip must wear a lifejacket or Personal Floatation Device (PFD). It is the most important piece of safety equipment we have. Another piece of safety gear, which we have but is rarely used, is the throw rope.

Our lifejackets are rated for 50-90 lbs and 90 lbs or more. More accurately, they are rated for persons with a chest size of 24” to 29” for the junior lifejacket and 30” to 52” for the adult. Since we come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes the chest measurement is the better measurement. Like most people I have a better idea of my weight than my chest measurement and so weight is commonly used.

Otter Rafting Adventures uses lifejackets that are U.S. Coast Guard approved, commercially rated, type V PFD that is suitable for whitewater conditions. Within the year we will switch to a Canadian approved lifejacket complying with the new Canadian regulations that are being introduced.

The lifejackets are designed such that being able to swim or not doesn’t matter much. A person floats laying on there back and there is a head rest on the neck of the jacket which floats lifting the head out of the water. Such a design makes a lifejacket difficult to swim in but perfect for river use where it is best to “Assume the position”. This position is laying on your back, with your legs pointing downstream from you, with a bend in them forming shock absorbers. Keep just the tip of your toes above water – that way your heels can feel any rocks under the surface of the water before your tailbone does. (grimace)

Most people rarely put on a lifejacket and wouldn’t know if it was adjusted properly for them. Always get the experienced guide to check your lifejacket’s fit for you. Once wet, it will loosen a bit, so make sure it fits snug.

Something else we carry is a throw rope. This is a 50 to 60 foot length of rope attached to a bag and then stuffed into it. When someone is floating along in the river and they can’t be reached by hand or by extending a paddle, the throw rope comes into action. The guide will yell your name and toss the bag at you while holding on to an end of the rope. Grab the rope which will tighten right away and let the guide pull you to the raft. Don’t grab the bag since all the rope would have to come out of the bag before the rope would tighten and then you could be pulled in. Remember to lie on your back, face up, and let them pull you in that way.

These two pieces of equipment should reassure you and help make your day on the river as much fun as possible.