Safety Guidelines for White Water Rafting in Nepal
White Water Rafting is a popular adventure sport in the rivers of Nepal. It is more popular and comes in the people's choice as it is a more affordable adventure providing a thrilling experience to adventure lovers. Nepal has abundant beautiful rivers ramp flowing from the majestic Himalaya region, making unusual and hair-raising rapids. Bhotekoshi,Sunkoshi and Trishuli is the most popular river for white water rafting in Nepal.
Enjoying the adventure of whitewater rafting in Nepal, one can relax in the sparkling river beaches and have a refreshing leisure time in the banks of the silence floating river away from the busy cities. You will have good river fun times in Nepal; you've got to go whitewater rafting in Nepal.
White river rafting is full of thrill and fun. At the same time, rafting can also be challenging. It is necessary to be careful and take necessary precautions to avoid the risk and danger while rafting.
You will enjoy the safe water river rafting if you follow the rafting safety tips. Make sure every rafter follow the guidelines, and keep in mind for safe and enjoying your rafting trip.
1.Carry the essential stuff
While preparing for rafting, carry the essential stuff that you need. Go shopping for the proper fittings if you don't have any.
Light elastic slippers are best for rafting. Shorts are relaxed and comfortable in water. Unwanted tights and jeans are not preferable. Pack dry towels in your backpack.If you are unaware of the equipment essential for the rafting. You can ask someone or search on the internet.
2.Wear sunscreen
Wearing sunscreen is good for our skin. Sunscreen protects you from the excessive UV rays of the sun. Exposing all the day in the sun is not suitable for our skin. You will face the sunburn and also have sun allergies. Always pack your sunscreen. Wear it adequately before you go for rafting. There are many water-proof sunscreens available in the market.
3. Wear a life jacket correctly
A life jacket is the rafting suit while rafting for the safety. A life jacket is a personal floatation gear that is fit to our body. The life jacket acts as the life-saver due to its floating quality while drowning in the water. The life-jacket will lift you and prevent you from drowning in the river. Make sure you put the life-jacket correctly and comfortably in your body. Tie every buckle and make sure the life-jacket is appropriately fitted, and there are no chances of pulling up over your head. The rafters must choose the proper size available to their body correctly.The life-jacket helps your upper part of the body floats in water. During the rescue, your friend is going to pull you catching your life-jacket. Wear it properly.
4. Wear the helmet
The helmet is the floatable covering equipment for the rafter to prevent head injuries while rafting. The rafters must choose the helmet that fits their head correctly.Always wear a helmet and tie the belt properly.
Adjust the helmet in your head. Some people make excuses and don't wear the helmet properly. They don't fasten the buckle of the helmet. Never make excuses. Uncertainties don't come with a signal. The helmet saves your head in case of an accident. Make sure the belt is fitted in your head. Don't tie it loose.
5. Handle paddle appropriately
The paddle is the floating broad blade rafting gear and helps you go through the water using it. Every rafter must hold the paddle properly. Use both hands while paddling. You must maintain the base(neck)of the paddle by one hand and hold the upper part(head) of the paddle with the "T" shaped grip.
The T-Shaped grip helps you to from injuring your friends in the raft accidentally.If you don't hold in T-shaped grip, you may blow the eye or teeth of your mates. So make sure you keep the paddle properly in a T-shaped grip.
6. Take care of your position in the raft
Balancing the raft is very important while rafting. Everyone must sit appropriately in the right position as per the instruction of guide. The correct posture of sitting creates balance in the raft. Rafter must not stay too much inside the raft. Stay at the outer edge of the boat, and put your feet lightly in the right place under the tight tube. If you stay correctly, it will balance the raft and prevent you from falling into the water.
7. Rafting is a team work-Paddle together
Rafting is the teamwork of people in the raft boat. Everyone in the raft must paddle together to maintain proper balance while rafting. Hold the paddle correctly, and paddle it along with the team as per the rafting guide's instructions. Don't paddle harder or loosely.
Paddling together helps in smooth floating for the raft and helps to cross the rapids in the way. Front rafters must concentrate more and have eye contact with each other and coordinate with others.If you stay on the front side of the raft, make sure you listen to the rafting guide properly. The other rafters must follow the leads as. Cheers for the teamwork.
8. Follow your guide's instruction
Rafting guides are the well-trained professional guide who will lead you through the adventure. The guide knows the river well. They know every possible rapids and nature of the rivers.
Our guide will always understand better than us. They have long experience in the rafting adventure and can provide direction in the river. Listen to your guide carefully and adequately.Follow the instructions-they will tell you how and when to paddle. They will even rescue and help you in case you fall. Stay alert and keep your ears open to listen to your guide's instruction for safe and balance rafting.
9. Pay attention while rafting briefing
Rafting briefing is preparing for the rafting. The rafting guide will give you the guidelines required in the rafting. They will also teach you safety and rescue methods. You will know about the rafting codes and commands that the guide will use in communicating with you in the river. So, please listen to it properly. If you don't follow it, there will be a problem in balancing the raft. You have no idea of the rescue and safety measures, so you may be panic and be in trouble.
10.No valuable items and accessories
While rafting, don't wear expensive jewelry. Don't carry your mobile, camera, watch or some essential accessories with you. You may lose, or things may get damaged by the water. My friend, Smriti, lost her gold ring in Trishuli rafting. She was hopeless. We can't blame anyone. So it is better to be careful.
11. Don't panic, in trouble. Stay calm and follow the instruction
There are lots of uncertainties in the adventure. Following the necessary precautions, we sometimes meet with an accident in the river. We may fall into the water. If you know swimming, be calm and ready to swim. Even if you don't know how to swim, you don't need to worry much.Stay Calm.
Always follow the instructions of the rafting guide. Don't panic. There will be a guide to rescue you. Always look for a guide's signal and follow his instructions in case you fall into the water. I fell in Bhotekoshi in my first time rafting. I was scared, but following the clues of the guide help me back in the raft quickly. Don't panic in any trouble. Stay calm and follow the instruction.
I have a lot of mesmerizing memories of rafting in the rivers of Nepal. If you haven't experience, try it out in the thrilling rivers of Nepal. White river rafting in Nepal is exhilarating and amazing. Make sure you follow the necessary guidelines in the rivers. You will enjoy a safe and thrilling rafting.