Can't swim, but white water rafting?

Question

So here's a problem, i can't swim, but all my friends includin bf wants to go white water rafting in penn...now they all know..but i dont know what to do...i dont want to drown or get hit by a rock or something.wow sounded real stupid. but any suggestions?

Answer 1

TAKE SWIMMING LESSONS! If you don't learn to swim STRONGLY in time DON'T GO! Nothing is worth your life!

Answer 2

You do not need to be a "swimmer" in order to go whitewater rafting, however you need to be comfortable in the water and be able to get yourself out.  Whitewater rafting is a sport where people end up in the water regularly.  While your life jacket  will provide flotation if you go into the river, if you are not able to move around in the water it can be very dangerous.  

One of the first things the outfitter will stress on the safety talk is the concept of "self rescue."  Self Rescue is your best bet for getting out of the water in a timely fasion - it means that you swim to shore or to the boat, and do what need to in order to get yourself to safety.  This is always your best bet and the fastest way out of the water.  

Most of the time, if you fall in the water a raft will be around to rescue you.  Guides are very well trained to deal with swimmers and will get them to safety almost all the time.  However, you cannot count the guide always being able to get to you.  Boats flip, get stuck on rocks, and guides have to deal with the boat first when that kind of situation arises.  From time to time, an unlucky swimmer may find themselves in the river alone.  At these times, self rescue is critical.  The good news is that most rivers have pools in between the rapids where it is relatively easy to swim to shore.  If you are not able to swim to shore, then you are dependent on someone coming to your rescue.

It really comes down to if you do not think you would be able to swim to shore, you may want to reconsider going whitewater rafting.

Answer 3

to be honest, as long as the rapids are not too fierce, you should be fine as long as you wear a life vest.  You are pinned into your boat so even if you flip, you just roll over the boat with your body, you dont get out of the boat.  However if you were to fall out of your boat, you better have a life vest on or you will drown.

Answer 4

Let them go by themselves.  It's not worth risking your life.  Remind them you can't swim.  I made the mistake of getting on a banana boat during my cruise and fell off into the water and I can't swim.  I could have drowned.  Better to be safe.  Good Luck!

Answer 5

You'll be fine - I've gone white-water rafting in PA and if I remember correctly they require you to wear a life vest. I don't think there are any rapids in PA that are more than a class 3 - enough for some good fun but not too much that there's any danger.

As a general note, though, it wouldn't be bad for you to learn to swim. It's good from a safety standpoint, plus it opens the door for you to experience other water activities.