Packraft Safety Awareness Series
Be WaterWise is an ongoing video series produced in partnership with the Packrafting Association of New Zealand and filmmaker Deane Parker — built to help packrafters at every level make better decisions on the water. Series 1 covers the hazards you need to recognize. Series 2 gives you the skills to handle them. Same commitment to safety. More river time.Whether you're planning your first float or looking to sharpen your technical skills, this is your resource. Watch the videos, share them with people you paddle with, and join the conversation on Instagram, YouTube, or the APA Forum.
Produced in partnership with the Packrafting Association of New Zealand (PRANZ).
Your donation funds free, high-quality safety and skills videos that prevent accidents and build a stronger culture of safety on the water. Every dollar goes directly to production.
65% of boating fatalities are a result of drowning without a life jacket or personal floatation device.
- US Coast Guard 2023 Recreational Boating Statistics
44% of packrafting fatalities involved cold water and solo paddling.
- Luc Mehl Packrafting Fatalities Report
53% of whitewater fatalities are paddlers with no to little experience with 81% of those occuring on class I-II rivers.
- American Whitewater Accident Database
Not sure which packraft or packrafting gear is right for you? You're not alone, and this video is your starting point. We break down everything you need to know before buying or borrowing your first piece of packrafting gear. This short, practical guide will help you match your gear to your river, your load, and your style.
Strong skills aren’t just built on the water, they start in the setup phase. Dialing in your gear, fit, and systems before launch helps you paddle more confidently, efficiently, and safely once you hit the water. This video covers everything you need to know about pre-launch preparation — because how you set up your boat and gear on shore determines how you perform and stay safe on the water.
Your gear keeps you safe on the water, so how do you keep your gear safe? Simple maintenance prevents disasters. We break down the essential maintenance habits every packrafter and whitewater paddler needs to know, so your kit stays functional, adventure-ready, and lasts for years to come.
The golden rule? Clean. Drain. Dry. Store. Do those steps after every trip to help your gear last, and to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS).
River accidents don't start in the rapids. They start weeks before the trip in the planning stage, when decisions are still easy to change. From selecting the right river for your group to reading maps, interpreting trip reports, and identifying hazards before they become emergencies — good planning is the difference between a great trip and a dangerous one.
Whether you're new to paddling or just looking to sharpen your skills, this episode builds your confidence where it counts: out there in the current. In this episode Sandra Hyslop, owner of West Coast Packrafting, breaks down the fundamentals of controlling your boat on moving water. Filmed on easy moving water with beginners in mind.
Essential rescue skills every packrafter needs to know. From wet exits to throw bags, Glenn from Blue Duck Packrafts covers the techniques that can make all the difference when someone takes an unexpected swim. With slow-motion footage for clarity and real on-land demonstrations, you'll see how these skills work and why practicing them matters more than relying on instinct in the moment.
Edging, ferry gliding, and reading river flow. It all starts with balance— the foundation of every move you'll ever make on the water. The secret? Decoupling your upper body from your hips. When you can keep your torso stable while your boat tilts beneath you, you stop fighting the river and start working with it. Whether you're a beginner or looking to level up your moving water skills, this episode breaks down the fundamentals that unlock everything else.
A Personal Flotation Device (PFD) is essential for paddlers, providing buoyancy to keep you afloat if you capsize, get injured, or become fatigued. Even strong swimmers can be incapacitated by cold water shock, swift currents, or unexpected obstacles. A properly fitted PFD reduces the risk of drowning and improves visibility for rescuers.
Leashes don't belong on rivers, and are still risky on open water. In moving water, leashes can quickly become a deadly entrapment hazard—if a leash gets snagged on rocks, logs, or debris, it can trap a paddler underwater. On open water, a short, releasable leash might help in strong wind, but it’s a personal decision that still carries real risk. Read more in our blog post, where we unpack this tricky piece of gear.
Entanglement occurs when ropes, leashes, fishing lines, or other gear wrap around a paddler’s limbs, PFD, or equipment, restricting movement and creating a drowning hazard. In swift water, even a minor entanglement can become life-threatening, as currents force paddlers underwater or prevent them from reaching safety.
Cold water significantly increases the risk of hypothermia, cold shock, and loss of motor function, even for experienced paddlers. Water temperatures below 70°F (21°C) can cause an involuntary gasp reflex upon immersion, leading to inhalation of water. Within minutes, muscle control deteriorates, making self-rescue difficult or impossible.
Changing weather conditions can turn a calm paddle into a dangerous situation. Strong winds create waves that make maneuvering difficult, push paddlers off course, or even capsize boats. Sudden storms can bring lightning, heavy rain, and dropping temperatures, increasing the risk of hypothermia.
Solo paddling can be peaceful and rewarding, but it comes with heightened risks. Without a partner, there’s no one to assist in case of a capsize, injury, or unexpected hazard. Delays in rescue can turn minor incidents into life-threatening situations, especially in remote areas or challenging conditions.
The Dunning-Kruger Effect refers to people overestimating their ability and underestimating risks. Safety advocate and guide Deane Parker explains, “In paddling, this can manifest as overconfidence in whitewater, underestimating weather conditions, or failing to recognize hazards like strainers, cold water, or strong currents.”
Alcohol impairs judgment, coordination, and reaction time—critical skills needed for safe paddling. It also increases fatigue, affects balance, and lowers body temperature, raising the risk of capsizing, injury, or drowning. Many paddling accidents involve alcohol.
Foot entrapment occurs when a paddler’s foot becomes wedged between rocks or debris in a riverbed, causing them to be pinned underwater by the current. This is especially dangerous in swift-moving water, where the force can quickly submerge and drown a person. Attempting to stand in strong currents increases the risk significantly.
Strainers are obstacles like fallen trees, bridge pilings, or debris that allow water to pass through but trap paddlers and boats. Water pressure can pin a person against or under a strainer, making escape nearly impossible. These hazards are especially dangerous in swift currents, where even strong swimmers can be forced underwater.
Read the updated Whitewater Safety Code by American Whitewater
Read The Packraft Handbook by Luc Mehl
Watch our curated Packraft Technical Manual playlist on the American Packraft Association Youtube Channel
Take the free Smart Start for Safe Paddling online course by the American Canoe Association
Take a course from Online Whitewater (20% discounts for APA members)
Take a course from the International Packrafting Instructor Association (50% discounts for APA members)
Take a paddling skills clinic with an certified instructor
Practice safety with a swiftwater rescue course
Explore additional resources, like where to find rentals, guide services, and courses, on the Alpacka Raft website.
Your donation funds the creation of free, high-quality safety videos that teach essential skills, prevent accidents, and promote a culture of safety on the water. Every gift helps us produce more videos and keep these resources available to all packrafters.
The packrafting pulse, in your inbox.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
