Is kayaking safe?

Walking to the corner grocery store is not safe, but we do it routinely and don't think about the risks.  In kayaking, the risks are more obvious and we take a proactive approach to managing them.  

Here are a few basic safety guidelines that all responsible paddlers adhere to:

1. Always wear your pfd (lifejacket) on the river
2. Always wear a helmet when you're in moving water
3. Practice self rescue so you can handle yourself in common situations such as flipping and swimming in moving water
4. Paddle with a minimum of 3 people and 2 craft (some experts choose to paddle with only one other person or alone, but they have a high level of judgment developed over years of river experience.)
5. Know the river your on and stay within your abilities

Check out the entire American Whitewater Safety Code for more river safety information.