Rafting First Aid

Whitewater rafting has become quite a widely recognized and enjoyed sport throughout the years. Some river courses, such as the Grand Canyon’s Colorado river, have even become safe rafting venues thanks to the growth in rafting experience and boating technology; such things as self-bailing crafts have been keeping rafts afloat, and experienced rafting guides are usually trained well-enough to asses river conditions and provide first-aid to any injuries that could arise.

That said, it never hurts to know a little bit about the possibilities and kinds of injury that could happen during a rafting vacation.

How Hurt Can You Get?

Half the time, injuries from whitewater rafting happen because of careless or foolish behavior aboard the raft. While the amount of rafting is pretty low considering the insurgence of whitewater rafting enthusiasts, the injuries one can get vary, from simple rowing sprains to hypothermia.

The most common rafting injury – around 51 percent – occurs on board the raft. Some of these injuries arise from being struck by a paddle or other rafting equipment. Most of these occur in the face and knee, with very little shoulder hits and even less occurrences of lacerations.

Posing the biggest danger to the whitewater rafting enthusiast are the dangers from immersion into the river for long spans of time. Being carried by the current can lead to broken bones, muscle sprains, and other impact-related injuries. There is also the danger of hypothermia.

So What Can You Do?

Usually, whitewater rafting outfitters provide river guides that have been trained to deal with emergency situations and first aid, but knowing a little bit about how to take care of yourself while in the raft and in the drink can mean the difference between safety and injury.

There usually isn’t any need to bring first-aid kits, since the outfit should also provide one for the trip. But should you wish to do so, plasters, gauze and antiseptics are a must. Bug spray and bandages for splints can also help.

The one thing any whitewater rafting enthusiast should remember is that one should never fool around while on the raft. You could seriously get hurt, or end up hurting someone else. Follow everything the guide tells you to do.

Knowing a little bit about how to secure broken bones and treating cuts and bruises can greatly contribute to the overall safety of the entire whitewater rafting crew, and can keep your rafting guide free enough to take care of other pending matters – such as keeping the trip safe. If you’ve had lifeguard training, the knowledge of CPR and water rescue techniques can also be a huge boon to the entire trip

Rafting Frist Aid

How Hurt Can You Get?

So What Can You Do?