SAFETY COMES FIRST AT Class VI
We take it seriously.
There is an inherent element of danger in whitewater rafting and, indeed, in all the outdoor adventure activities we offer. (Sometimes even the best planning doesn’t always work.) There is no way to completely remove the danger but there are ways to minimize it. At Class VI, your safety is important. We want you to have a great time, but more importantly, we want you and your group or family to go home accident- free. During the 28 years we have been in business, we have always strived to balance safety and fun.
What follows is a list of the steps and precautions we take to keep you as safe as possible.
• Planning - Rivers trips offered by Class VI traverse deep, lush canyons with steep walls. Accessing certain areas in the canyons is time consuming, many rapids are impossible to get to by vehicle or air, and water and weather rarely cooperate when things go wrong. Our staff review plans for different types of emergencies. We have detailed maps with the easiest accesses marked. Helicopters have mapped out possible landing sites on the New and Gauley Rivers. The National Park Service and the local medical air evacuation service have our radio frequencies and are available for assistance. Speed is of the essence in an emergency situation in a wilderness setting, so it is imperative to have done your homework. We have.
• Radios – Almost every trip carries a portable Motorola radio. In the event of an emergency the trip leaders can talk with our basecamp and emergency personnel from most places on the New and Gauley Rivers.
• Equipment - We use the highest quality rafts and life jackets. Though it is not mandatory, we provide helmets for all our guests.
• Vehicles - We have a full-time mechanic who keeps our vehicles in top shape.
• Training - Our trip leaders carry a comprehensive back-country medical kit. All our river staff has completed a basic first aid course, and more than half are certified as Outdoor Emergency Care technicians or have higher first aid training. Our river staff is trained in swiftwater rescue courses regularly.
• Advanced Training - Our staff includes many Swiftwater Rescue Instructors, Outdoor Emergency Care Instructors, and Red Cross CPR and First Aid Instructors. A number of our staff have trained Armed Service Special Forces personnel
