File a float plan
•Tell someone your intentions, what, where, when, how…
•Scout the route for serious rapids, fences, weirs, waterfalls etc.
•Plan a safe launch site and take-out point. Have an alternative.
•Have a schedule, allow extra daylight for a head wind.
•Check weather conditions for eg wind, hail, lightning, flooding etc.
Some common sense for a drifter
•Do not over inflate
•Release some air before travelling to higher altitudes
•Know how to patch a leak!
•Know your own and passenger’s physical limitations
•Familiar yourself with the craft and practice a capsize
•Make sure everybody can swim! Do not assume!
•Strap down loose items
•Keep a tidy deck, this will prevent entanglement in the case of a capsize
•In case of a capsize, stay upstream of the craft to prevent entrapment
between the craft and obstacle like a rock or tree.
•Stow away “sharps”… knives, screw drivers and the like
•Load a Dry bag with warm clothes.
Know the traffic rules when sharing the river with other users eg power boats and jet skis
•Craft approaching from your right (starboard) has the right of way
•Overtake on the right side
•Craft approaching head on… alter your course to the right…
pass left side to left side (port to port)
•Hug the sides of the river when approaching a bend.
•Respect property owner rights.
•Keep clear of bait fisherman.