River Signals

Communicating on the river without using your voice is an important skill, and should be reviewed at the start of your trip. There are various signaling techniques, including using Hand Signals , Whistles and Hand Held Radios . Your group should agree on what certain signals mean. This section covers some basic signals. Your group may modify these signals, but be consistent within your group, and practice your signaling.

In the river rescue occurring in the photo below, a raft has become pinned in the rapid just below the mouth of Havasu Canyon. Hand signals worked well here to help in the rescue, along with having kayakers paddle out to assist the pinned raft.

Photo credit Claire O'Hara

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