How common are white water rafting deaths?

Fortunately, fatalities are uncommon in these activities, with rafting and kayaking fatalities occurring at a rate of 0.55 and 2.9 per 100000 user days, respectively.

What are the chances of dying while water rafting?

You do have a small chance of being injured on a rafting trip, about 1:558 and a 1:100,000 chance of being a fatality. This means that for the vast majority of people, rafting is simply a great fun adventure. Rafting not just about big white water.

What are the dangers of white water rafting?

While death is the main danger feared in whitewater rafting, far more likely are injuries sustained from smashing, banging, brushing, and smacking up against rocks. These types of occurrences can actually happen while still in the raft. As rafts hit up against boulders and people get thrown about and into them.

Do people drown white water rafting?

Nationwide, the number of fatalities has ranged between six and ten per year for an estimated 2.5 million user days on guided trips. The incidence of commercially guided rafting fatalities is estimated to range from one death per 250,000 person visits to one death per 400,000 person visit days.

What is flush drowning?

Flush drowning is when a swimmer isn’t held in place but generally moving downstream through rough water. Repeated dunking and/or being hit by waves causes the swimmer to aspirate water compromising the airway. Eventually, getting enough oxygen in the lungs proves too difficult and they pass out and drown.

Can 6 year old go white water rafting?

Kid Friendly Rafting Trips Make Lasting Memories With kid friendly options like the Upper New River Gorge (for ages 6 and up) and the Lower New River (ages 12 and up to paddle, 9 and up in an oar rig) we can help you get your family paddling together this summer.

Should kids white water raft?

To go white water rafting, you should be no younger than 5 years old and you should start on Class I, easy rapids. However, each rafting guide company will have its own requirements regarding minimum ages for rafters, and it varies with the difficulty and length of various rivers and tours.

Can you drown in rapids?

Eventually, getting enough oxygen in the lungs proves too difficult and they pass out and drown. Flush drowning is common on large swollen rivers and high gradient streams, often at flood stage. Another concern is that flush drownings are almost always a fatality.

What are level 3 rapids?

Class 3- beginner / (intermediate) level Rapids, eddies and moderately strong waves become harder to navigate. You can expect to be getting wet at this level. Performing maneuvers, and boat control, is key to running class 3 rapids.

What does a class 3 rapids look like?

Class 3: Whitewater, in that the water does appear white due to all the bubbles, small waves, maybe a small drop, but no considerable danger. This class may require significant maneuvering in the raft. Experienced and strong paddling skills are needed at this level.