How to Follow Water Tubing Safety Practices
Water tubing is a popular recreational activity that can be enjoyed in lakes, rivers and even creeks. Whether you're peacefully floating downstream or bucking wildly over whitewater rapids, you'll need to follow all the water tubing safety practices.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
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1
Travel in a group when you go tubing. There's safety in numbers. If you get hurt or lost, you don't want to be left completely alone in the wilderness.
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2
Tie your inner tubes together while traveling down river. Rapid currents can spin inner tubes in different directions, making it hard to stay united as a group. Bungee cords can also be used to bind inner tubes into a traveling caravan.
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3
Wear a life jacket at all times while you're in the water. Even though the river water might be shallow, it can still be dangerous. Currents beneath the surface can move quickly, making it difficult to recover and return to the surface for air when you fall in the water.
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4
Follow any posted rules pertaining to pollution and contamination. Many of our nation's most scenic rivers have been contaminated by industrial waste, making the water unsafe to drink. Even small amounts of contaminated water can create health problems.
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5
Arrange your trip through a "float house." Float houses cater to tourists and groups by providing rental equipment and safety measures for their customers. By booking your trip with a float house, someone will know where you are and where you should be at the end of your trip.
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6
Hire a guide to lead your group on a tubing adventure. Pick someone who knows the area well. Follow all of the safety practices outlined by your guide.
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7
Arrange for someone to meet you at the end of your tubing trip so you can catch a ride back to your entry point. Set a time and specific location.
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8
Pack plenty of sunscreen for the day. Pick a waterproof brand with a high SPF rating. You'll probably be on the water for several hours, so you'll need to reapply sunscreen throughout the day.
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9
Learn CPR practices. Many community organizations offer to teach the basics of CPR free. It's always a good idea for at least one person in a tubing group to know how to perform CPR.
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10
Check the weather forecast before embarking on a tubing trip. Rainstorms can be dangerous when you're stranded on the river, as water levels can rise and currents can quicken in a matter of minutes. Lightening storms can be even more dangerous.
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11
Drink alcohol in moderation if at all. You must maintain your senses to navigate a waterway. Don't drink at all if your tubing over whitewater.
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