By Noah Christenson, Owner/Operator, Star Valley Raft & Paddle

Spring has sprung, and the longer days, warmer temps, and melting snow signal the beginning of a favorite time of year –river season! Rivers and flowing water are beautiful and powerful.

They offer an incredible glimpse into the natural world and while fun, they can be dangerous. With so many great ways to enjoy spending time on a river, here are 10 general safety tips to help you make decisions about heading out on the water this summer.

Before going out on the river, be it a new stretch or your old favorite, always check the conditions. River flows are constantly changing, and assuming a section of river is the same as the last time you did it (a year, week, or even a day ago) could be potentially hazardous. Check the local weather, and look up the streamflow information for the stretch online, this will give you an idea if the river is currently above, at, or below normal.

Local paddle shops and outfitters are usually happy to give general information about stretches of river to help you decide if it would be appropriate for your skill level and desired experience. When deciding the section you wish to run, inspect as much of it beforehand as you can. Use satellite images in various apps and services to get a good sense of what the run will be like. Then, if possible, perform a visual inspection along as much of the stretch as you can from the road, high ground, or put-in. Take a moment to process. If your gut is telling you this feels off from your expectations, you are right, and should consider floating a different section or coming back another day.

When floating with a group, make sure everyone knows the plan and has a partner. Before anyone even sets foot in the river, everyone should all know their start point, end point, and estimated time on water. For large groups, use the buddy system.

Once you have your “account-a-buddy,” stay with them. Large groups often get spread out and separated, so having a partner with you for small situations can keep them from becoming big incidents. Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs/Lifejackets) save lives: wearing them increases survivability in water-related accidents. The U.S. Coast Guard approves many PFD designs for general water recreation use.

While river recreation-specific PFDs would be preferred, any properly fitted and secured PFD that would provide passive floatation in the event the wear- er were to become unable to self-rescue could be lifesaving. An inflatable tube should not be considered a PFD, nor is it safe to tether yourself to a tube. A PFD is always recommended when you are recreating on or near natural bodies of water.

When choosing what to wear– dress to be in the water. While many river craft do not put the user in direct contact with the water, it is important to always be dressed as if that is a possibility.

Choose footwear that will stay on your feet when swimming or wading: no flip-flops. Outdoor and athletic apparel made of synthetic fibers are best for drying quickly after being submerged.

Some natural fibers (like wool) can still retain heat when wet, but cotton shirts or jeans do not and can accelerate the risk of cold injuries even on a sunny day. Specialized gear such as neoprene garments, wetsuits, or even drysuits are recommended if there is anticipated long exposure to water.

Bring what you need (plus a little extra). While your chosen river activity will dictate what kind of craft specific equipment you will need, be sure to always bring essentials such as water, food, medications, first aid, and communication. Whatever your expected trip length is, bring everything you need for twice that amount of time. It is surprisingly easy to become dehydrated when on the river, and keeping the body fueled with calories will help it stay warm and function.

Carry with you any medications you need to take regularly (as a trip may become prolonged) and basic first aid appropriate for the length of your trip. Even if it is just a cellphone in a Ziploc bag, having the ability to contact people off the river is worth the risk of losing the device. Watch out for hazards – you can always walk around.

Generally, if you see a potential hazard while going downriver, the best course of action is to find and focus onthe path around the obstacle. If you do encounter a major hazard going down the river, whether an impassable obstruction or large rapid, you may pull over and portage even if the land is private property.

Because the states of Wyoming, Idaho, and many others view navigable streams and rivers as public right of ways, you may legally portage (walk around) a short distance around the hazard to navigation and re-enter the waterway. If you need to do this, do not delay, leave no trace, and respect private property.

If you find yourself swimming, swim with the river. When swimming in moving water, be it intentionally or accidentally, first thing you should do is try to float and orient to what the river is already doing. Do not try to stand up, as it is possible your foot could become lodged in an entrapment which could submerge you facedown.

Instead, face the way the water is flowing (downriver) with your feet up in front of you. From here you can begin to tread water towards the shore or roll over and actively swim to shore or back to your craft. When you can feel the bottom, stay low and on all fours until you are out of the main flow of the river. Proactively monitor for cold stress and treat it before it becomes hypothermia. Even on a beautifully sunny day with high temps, cool water and light wind can easily induce cold injuries – especially in children.

Early cold stress usually presents as an individual becoming quieter and more reserved while taking a defensive body position, then progresses to shivering and mumbling through their words. If you notice someone experiencing these symptoms, start by getting them out of the water and drying them off.

Change them into warm clothes and try to stimulate blood flow by giving calories and maybe some light exercise out of the water. Often if treated early it is totally safe for the individual to resume the trip, but if symptoms to do not improve then that person should not continue down the river.

If you don’t know – hire a pro! While this is an overview andgreat baseline for river and water recreation safety, it is by no means a substitute for professional training. Paddle sports are a lifetime sport, they are wonderfully intuitive and easy to learn, but their mastery takes practice, and the skills required to be safe at the next level are best learned with a mentor or instructor. If you are interested in more check out Star Valley Raft & Paddle at starvalleyraftandpaddle.com for lessons, courses, and tours. Happy Rivering – Pick Your Paddle!