If you’re heading out on a River Tubing excursion viewing the great outdoors is part of the experience! River tubing is a fun, active, and environmentally friendly experience you can enjoy with family and friends. With any outdoor adventure, and especially with water involved, safety is always paramount. When including water activities in your adventure additional measures of safety need to be adhered to.
Follow these safety tips and you are well on your way to a safe and fun River Tubing day:
1. ALWAYS WEAR A LIFE JACKET! It’s not only smart – it could be a matter of life or death! Always wear a Life Jacket while River Tubing. Effective April 1, 2010, Maryland law states that all children under the age of 13 must WEAR a United States Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device (life jacket – Type I, II, III or V) while underway on a recreational vessel under 21 feet in length on Maryland waters. But, we recommend everyone wear a Life Jacket no matter what age you are. Each person’s life jacket must be the proper size and in good condition.
2. TENNIS SHOES, AQUA-SHOES, or RIVER SANDALS with straps should be worn to protect your feet from sharp objects and the slippery and rocky river bottom. You will also need to protect yourself as you walk to and from your River Tubing drop point. Flip Flops are not recommended as they provide little protection from slipping and sliding on wet or muddy surfaces. Also, Flip Flops provide little protection in covering your feet and slip off easily. Make sure you are wearing protective footwear!
3. Wear Appropriate Clothing – DO NOT wear clothing that can tangle and/or restrict your ability to swim. Wearing long pants, long sleeves, scarves, coats, jackets, dresses, etc. can restrict your ability to swim. Always make sure you able to have free movement at all times.
4. GLASS CONTAINERS should never be brought with you. Glass can break injuring yourself or others and can even puncture the inner tube.
Some other River Tubing safety tips you should follow include:
Safe Drop Point
Before starting your river tubing adventure, a safe place to begin your adventure is of utmost importance. This is called a “Drop Point”. This is the location where you will place the tube in the water and begin your River Tubing Tour. The goal is to find a spot where the water is calm and is easily accessible without a steep or narrow riverbank. Make sure you do your research beforehand so you are not looking endlessly for a safe Drop Point.
Exit Point
Equally as important as your drop point is your exit point. This is the area where you will exit the river, so make sure that you know where it is at all times. If you miss your exit point, you could have difficulty making it out of the river safely, especially if the current picks up further down the line. Bridges, boat ramps, and buildings are great places to exit the water because they are visible landmarks that every member of your party will see ahead of time.
Be Aware of Hazards
Finally, always make sure that you research potential hazards before you begin your River Tubing Tour. Research the river, so that you know if there are any forks in the water, downed trees in the way, or rapids up ahead. The more you know about the river, the safer you can make your adventure for everyone involved.
Having an experienced River Tubing Tour guide or company like Terrapin Adventures assist is always the best way to plan your day as they will have yours, your family, and friend’s safety in mind.
