Am I going to fall out in the rapids? Well, maybe, but more than likely you will not. One very helpful piece of advice is LISTEN TO YOUR GUIDES. When they tell you to have a white-knuckle grip with TWO HANDS, do that. Don’t think you are stronger than they think, or more boat-savvy, or that this would be the photo shoot of a lifetime … Just hold on. Oftentimes, when a passenger falls out of the boat, it is because he or she is trying to video while holding on with just one hand.
Sometimes, but not typically, regardless of your diligence … an oar boat may flip or you may find yourself in the water. That is OK. You’ll want to be an active part of your own rescue. Remember what you learned in your safety orientation, watch for signaled instruction and/or a throw rope and help get yourself out of the water. The rapids in Grand Canyon are in a pool-drop system. That means after every rapid, there is a good amount of flat water, which makes it less difficult for your guides to help you get back on the raft or for you to swim to shore, whichever is more appropriate for the situation.