Safety & Responsibility

Because our trips take place in wild environments, there are inherent risk factors that can’t be entirely avoided without compromising the unique character of the activity. Obviously, it’s not our intention to reduce your enthusiasm for outdoor adventure activities, but we believe it is important for everyone to know in advance that real adventure involves real risk, much of which simply cannot be controlled by OARS or OARS employees. By joining one of our trips, you are representing that you understand, and are accepting of, the risks described in the acknowledgment/release document that all participants are required to sign.

Our team of highly experienced guides is passionate about rivers and sharing them with others in a supportive and informative environment. OARS is the one of the largest single employers of river guides in the world, attracting talented professionals drawn to the variety and pristine quality of the rivers we run. Many of our guides hold current Wilderness First Responder or Emergency Medical Technician certifications, and all carry at least Basic First Aid and CPR. Many are also certified in Swiftwater Rescue Techniques, and all have received formal training in whitewater navigation and risk management strategies.

Our staff will assist you to the best of their abilities. We do our best to mitigate the risks associated with adventure travel, but incidents and injuries that require evacuation do occur from time to time. Since most OARS trips take place in remote wilderness locations, evacuations can be prolonged, difficult and expensive. As such, emergency medical personnel and hospital facilities may be distant or not available. It is your responsibility to carry insurance, or be prepared to cover the cost yourself, for expenses related to emergency medical evacuation.

All trips travel with a well-stocked first aid kit and a plan for initiating an evacuation if necessary. All of our U.S.-based multi-day wilderness expeditions carry a satellite phone for use in an emergency. River-related safety equipment includes Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) and helmets for each passenger along with throw ropes, a whitewater wrap kit, spare paddles and oars, air pump, and a boat repair kit.

Naturally, the odds of going for a “swim” will vary depending on the trip you choose. The reality is that a person must be prepared for the possibility that they will become a whitewater swimmer on any of our river-based adventures, with the odds increasing along with the river’s whitewater rating. Boats can flip over or “wrap” on obstacles in the current, or you can fall out when your boat bumps a rock or sticks on a gravel bar. High water, which occurs due to snowmelt in the springtime or water releases from upstream reservoirs, generally increases the probability of one of our boats to go upside down in a rapid. Joining a trip with a class IV or V whitewater rating represents a choice to embrace relatively high odds for an out-of-boat experience!