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Ask the following questions to any potential rafting operator before you get in a raft with them:

question 1: Proper licensing

Are you licensed by the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board? (Ask to see the license.)

question 2: guide experience

Who are the guides running your trips? How many years of experience do they have? Do they have their First Aid certification? (If so, ask to see the certification and check the expiration date.) Do they have Swiftwater Rescue certifications? (If so, ask to see the certificate and make sure it’s from an outside agency.)

question 3: Gear

Where do your personal floatation devices (life-jackets) come from? Are they Type V (US Coast Guard approved) or locally made? Do you have working helmets available for all guests and guides?

question 4: safety-kayaker

Will an experienced, licensed safety-kayaker (or cataraft with qualified guide) be accompanying us? What type of kayak will the safety-kayaker be using? (S/he should use a creek-boat or river-runner as opposed to a play-boat.)

Question 5: Will there be children accompanying us?

Please note that it is illegal to take children younger than 14 years old on all stretches of river in Uttarakhand except float trips (grade II and below), where it may be relaxed to 10 years.