How safe/dangerous is whitewater rafting? Esp. while pregnant?

Question

How safe (or dangerous) is whitewater rafting? I've never been whitewater rafting, and would love to go in a few weeks, but I'm 2 months pregnant. I'm not talking about class 4 rafting, just like class II or III at most.

Are you likely to fall? Hit a rock? Bump yourself somewhere? Or is it relatively safe? Please describle from your own experience. Thank you!

Answer 1

The commercial white-water rafting industry thrives on the ILLUSION of danger.  In other words, it looks more hazardous than it is.

Not to say that it is completely without risk.  And the risks rise with the difficulty of the river you are on.  I have dumped my boat in class III rapids, but its fairly rare that an experienced guide would do that.  Still, there is a chance you could swim a rapid.  Even in class II, though that would be a very rare mischance.

If you know how to swim in rapids it will minimize the risks even further.  The guides always give a safety talk before embarking, and will tell you that if you go overboard they will likely try to pull you back in the boat quickly.  But if that is impossible or impractical, then you would have to swim.  The position is like sitting in a lounge chair, with your feet in front and your legs bent a little.  If you contact a rock or a boat, you would tend to hit feet first and have the ability to absorb the shock and push off and away.  Your head is held up fairly high and you can usually see problems coming, and can use your arms to steer yourself clear of many potential bumps.

At 2-months pregnant I think any additional risks are quite minimal.  Later on I would probably advise against, but at that point I think you are very safe.

I'd keep clear of the class V stuff, though!