Is New Mexico Whitewater Rafting Safe?
At New Mexico River Adventures, your safety is our #1 priority. From the time you call to reserve your trip through the time we say good-bye we are always looking out for your safety. Ask our friendly reservation staff at the time of booking, which trip is right for you. We will always be completely honest in pairing your needs and expectations with the greatest river experience available to you on the Rio Grande or Rio Chama.
New Mexico River Adventures has an outstanding safety record on all of its New Mexico rafting trips due to the requirements we place on our guides and equipment to perform to a high standard. There is a minimum requirement of First Aid and CPR along with guide training and river rescue mandated by our regulating agency, the Bureau of Land Management Taos Field Office. At New Mexico River Adventures, many of our guides far surpass these basic requirements as the majority of our guides have advanced medical training including Wilderness First Responders and Emergency Medical Technicians.
In addition, many of our river guides are certified Swiftwater Rescue Technicians and have a wide variety of guiding experience both here on the Rio Grande and Rio Chama as well as many other rivers throughout the country and around the world. All of our whitewater rafting trips are equipped with First Aid kits and river rescue equipment. In the beginning of each trip, our guests receive helmets and coast guard approved flotation devices along with an extensive safety orientation. There are, of course, inherent risks involved with New Mexico whitewater rafting trips that everyone should evaluate before deciding on a specific rafting adventure. Just ask one of our friendly and knowledgeable reservation staff about which river adventure is best for you and let us take care of the rest. We always strive to provide each guest with the safest, greatest and most memorable rafting trip possible.
Do I have to know how to swim to enjoy a New Mexico whitewater rafting trip?
This is a question we are asked regularly. It is true that many of our guests are not good swimmers and knowing how to swim is not required in order to enjoy our many rafting adventures. We supply type V life jackets that are designed to keep you afloat with no effort from you. The jacket is designed to keep you floating on your back with a floating flap behind your head. This will help keep your head out of the water in rough whitewater conditions. Just ask one of our friendly and helpful reservation staff which trip is right for you and which trip might provide a less difficult whitewater rating while still providing plenty of excitement and a wonderful rafting experience through an amazing river canyon on either the Rio Grande or Rio Chama.
What if I have a specific medical condition, will this prevent me from being able to join a New Mexico whitewater rafting trip?
When you reserve your trip, please inform our helpful reservation staff of any medical conditions you or someone in your group may have, so we can prepare for any situation. If you have serious concerns about your condition, please consider consulting with a physician prior to reserving you New Mexico whitewater rafting trip. Please know that existing or prior medical conditions or concerns will not necessarily prevent you from enjoying on of our many whitewater adventures. However, not disclosing this information to our reservation staff or your guide or trip leader can present problems for both you and the rest of the participants on your specific river adventure. Please let your guides know of any conditions: diabetes, asthma, epilepsy, heart condition, pregnant, wants to get pregnant, etc. Let our guides know so they are fully informed and can help to make you most comfortable and provide you with the safest and greatest New Mexico whitewater rafting trip.