Basic knowledge of drifting

Rafting is a popular water sport. Generally, rafting is divided into three types: adventure rafting, natural rafting, and artificial rafting. The first two types are both classified as natural rafting in a sense.

Rafting is a popular water sport. Generally speaking, rafting is divided into three categories: adventure rafting, natural rafting, and controlled rafting. In a sense, the first two categories can be attributed to natural rafting. The difference is that adventure rafting does not emphasize mass participation, but focuses on adventure, so it is more dangerous. In the narrow sense, natural rafting and controlled rafting are more inclined to mass water sports and entertainment projects. What we usually call rafting refers to this kind of rafting.

Rafting activities are widely carried out internationally, and some countries have reached a popular level. In China, in recent years, with the improvement of people's living environment and living standards, rafting activities have also begun to transform into mass sports. Sichuan Jiayou Bailonggong Tourism Co., Ltd. seized the opportunity and took the lead in carrying out tourism rafting activities in Sichuan, which has been widely praised by all sectors of society and is known as "the first rafting in Sichuan tourism".

Rafting activities are different from other outdoor tourism activities. They have strict organizational discipline and strict safety measures to ensure that the selection of rafting tools and rafting sections is stricter and more scientific. For rafters, necessary rafting knowledge is absolutely indispensable. The following is a brief introduction to this knowledge:

Basic Common Sense of Rafting

1. The rafting time is from April to October each year. Before departure, you should try to choose simple and easy-to-dry clothes, but the color should not be too thin or too light, otherwise it will be embarrassing if you fall into the water. In addition, you should bring a set of clean clothes and a pair of plastic slippers to wear on the boat when disembarking. When participating in rafting, if the weather temperature is not high, you can bring your own raincoat or buy a raincoat at the rafting site. Friends who wear glasses should use rubber bands to tie their glasses.

2. Cash and valuables are not allowed on board during rafting. In case of capsizing or other accidents, the rafting company and insurance company will not compensate tourists for lost cash and items. If you think the opportunity is rare and you must bring a camera, it is best to bring a low-value point-and-shoot camera, wrap it in a plastic bag beforehand, open it when it is stable, wrap it when passing rapids, and be prepared to throw it into the water at any time;

3. After boarding, you should first carefully read the rafting instructions, follow the arrangements of the boatman, put on your life jacket, and find the safety rope. When the rafting boat passes through rapids, you should follow the instructions of the boatman and do not move around at will. You should hold the safety rope tightly, tighten your feet, and lean your body towards the center of the boat. If the boat capsizes, don't panic, because you are wearing a life jacket, even if you are swimming, you should swim in calm waters according to the boatman's instructions, and do not leave the boat on your own.

4. The rafting boat is made of polymer material and has three independent air chambers. Under normal use, there will be no air leakage problems. Because the water is not deep, even if there is a problem, you can go ashore in time, blow the life whistle on the life jacket, find rescuers, and change the rafting boat.

5. Safe passage through rapids. During the rafting process, please pay attention to the arrows and slogans along the way, which can help you find the main channel and early warning of the drop area. Before reaching the rapids, you can predict the general direction downstream. Then call everyone to stop paddling, put their feet into the boat together, hold the protective rope on the edge of the boat with both hands, lean down, do not stand up, stabilize the center of gravity of the boat to maintain balance, and generally can pass safely.

6. Getting out of the whirlpool. In places where the river water flows faster and deeper, whirlpools often appear. At this time, you should try to avoid being involved and go around. If you are involved, stay calm and let the boat rotate with the whirlpool. When you turn to the outer edge of the whirlpool, you can paddle to get out of danger.

7. Avoid collisions. Maintaining stability and avoiding collisions is a principle that must be followed during rafting. When unavoidable, the boat should be controlled at a head-on collision angle (side collisions can easily lead to capsizing), and personnel should hold the ropes tightly. After the collision, the hull will be parallel to the shore. At this time, the passengers on this side should pay attention to retracting their feet to avoid injury. Sometimes the boats are very close, in order to avoid collisions, both sides should cooperate with each other and paddle in opposite directions or towards the hull.

8. Running aground. In places where stones are dense, waterways are narrow, water depth is shallow, and water flow is fast, it is easy to run aground. Don't panic at this time, you can use the paddle to hold the stones and forcefully push the boat out of the aground place. If this trick doesn't work, you need to send someone into the water to pull or push the boat from the side, re-enter the water flow, and the person pulling the boat must be quick-witted and pay attention to safety.

9. Falling into the water. If you accidentally fall into the water, don't panic. The buoyancy of the life jacket is enough to keep you afloat, and the companions on the boat should extend the paddle to the person who has fallen into the water to climb up. If the person who has fallen into the water is far away from the rubber boat, you must try to get ashore or stay behind the rocks (the water flow is strong on the side facing the water flow, and it is easy to be hit by the rubber boat) and wait for rescue.

10. Capsizing. Capsizing often occurs in places with fast currents, often because someone falls into the water, causing the rubber boat to become unstable. After capsizing, stay calm and straighten the hull first. When getting back on the boat, pay attention to the balance of the forces on both sides. When one person climbs onto the boat, the other person should press down on the other side. The fallen paddle should be picked up in time, otherwise, in the slow-flowing area, you can only paddle with your hands. A ruptured air chamber is the worst-case scenario. Adjust the position of the people on the boat, do not sit on the ruptured air chamber; try to keep the rubber boat stable and ask for help ashore.

2. Selection of Rafting Sections

(1) Controlled Rafting

Controlled rafting is controlled by the boatman, effectively controlling the rafting process, and the rafters participating in the rafting are completely under the control of the boatman. Strictly speaking, rafters are just passengers on the rafting boat, and during the rafting process, they complete the rafting process according to the boatman's control. Controlled rafting is generally carried out in high mountains and canyons, where the water flow is rapid, the water is deep, and the terrain is complex. At present, the tourism rafting activities developed by Bailonggong Tourism Co., Ltd. are typical controlled rafting. Controlled rafting is thrilling and exciting yet safe and reliable, and is a popular form of rafting among tourists.

(2) Natural Rafting

Natural rafting is generally carried out in rivers with slower and shallower water flow. Natural rafting allows every tourist to freely participate in rafting activities. The rafting organizers only provide them with necessary equipment such as rafting boats, lifebuoys, and paddles, and supervise and protect them at various key points along the way. The entire rafting process is completed by the tourists themselves. This rafting method is relatively stable and less exciting, but it is a good choice for middle-aged and elderly rafting enthusiasts.

3. Selection of Rafting Equipment

The so-called rafting equipment refers to rafting boats, boats, rafts, and other rafting products, as well as life-saving products such as life jackets worn by rafters.

The raft used in the Panjiang rafting activity is a rubber boat with good safety performance. Rafters sit on the boat and are controlled by the boatman. One rubber boat is occupied and controlled by the boatman; another rubber boat floats at the bottom of the waves, sometimes wandering, dangerous and exciting. The life safety of rafters is jointly guaranteed by equipment and manpower.