Southwest Raft & Jeep

You may be confident in your swimming ability, and you may even be an Olympic swimmer! But the reality is that life jackets are important for everyone, even professionals.

A lot of people think they don’t need a life jacket if they already know how to swim.  You may be confident in your swimming ability, and you may even be an Olympic swimmer!  But the reality is that life jackets are important for everyone, even professionals.  In adventure sports, there are a lot of situations where swimming ability won’t matter.  If you aren’t convinced that you need to wear a life jacket, read on.

Life Jackets Are Not Just For Kids.

Did you know four out of five people who die from drowning are over the age of fourteen?  That is a pretty large number of people who probably think they’re too old for a life jacket.  They paid the price with their lives, but you don’t have to.  A life jacket is required for anyone of any age on the water.

Life jackets up your chances of survival.

Boating accidents kill a large number of people every year.  The reason doesn’t always have to be because of drowning, and can include trauma or cardiac arrest.  However, in 2012, 459 people died because of drowning.  And of those people, only 71 had life jackets on.  While danger still exists for those wearing life jackets, wearing one greatly increases your chance of survival.

Life jackets regulate body temperature.

The water you’ll be rafting in when you come to Durango is going to have snow melt from the highest point of the mountains.  That means the water can get very cold and put you at risk for hypothermia if you aren’t careful.  Life jackets are heavily insulated and wrap around your body’s core, which means they can keep you warm.

Life jackets can orientate you.

In the water, it’s easy to lose a sense of direction, especially if you’ve fallen out of a raft or kayak.  But life jackets are made to turn you on your back in the water, and they also are intended to keep your head above the surface.  No matter how you fall, a life jacket will eventually give you the chance to breathe.

Embark on a safe and exciting rafting trip with Southwest Raft & Jeep!

We’re experts when it comes to whitewater rafting.  There’s no better place in Durango, Colorado, from which to rent.  We’ll keep you safe, secure and make sure you’re having the best rafting experience ever!

To reserve your rafting trip, or to find out more information about our adventure packages and other exciting outdoor services, please contact us today at 970-259-8313 or swing into our main office located at 305 S. Camino Del Rio, Suite V in the Office Depot Complex.

Check back with our blog next week and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook or Twitter and check out our reviews on TripAdvisor!