The risks involved in canyoneering include many that are common to all outdoor adventures - getting struck by lightening, bitten by animals, stung by insects, twisting your ankle - plus a few that are unique to canyoneering or exacerbated by canyon environments. Most problems can be avoided if you are prepared. Frequently people neglect to learn about the canyon they plan to enter. They discover too late that they do not have the proper clothing, gear or skills and the result can be tragic. The list below is a guideline of general safety concerns to consider before entering any canyon. 

Drowning. It is critical that you honestly assess your swimming ability before committing to a descent that requires long swims or swims in strong current. When in doubt, be sure to have adequate floatation. This could be a life jacket or a dry bag filled with air for buoyancy. Even strong swimmers can sometimes experience difficulty. Fatigue can be accelerated by cold water. Swimming in current wearing a bulky wet suit, heavily laden with ropes and gear, is a lot more challenging than swimming laps in your backyard pool. 

Hypothermia occurs when conditions overwhelm the body’s ability to maintain a constant temperature. In the cold waters of deep, narrow canyons - beyond the reach of the sun’s warming rays - hypothermia is a serious problem. Uncontrollable shivering, bluish lips and fingernails, and slurred speech are warning signs. Hypothermia can cause poor decision making, disorientation and, if not remedied, death. Hypothermia can also be a major contributing factor in drowning. Protect yourself by wearing appropriate apparel. If conditions warrant, wear a wet suit or dry suit. Take a change of warm, dry clothes. Pack them in waterproof bags so they will be dry when you need them. 

Heat Related Injuries. Heat exhaustion is caused by prolonged exposure to the sun. Dehydration is the lack of fluid in the body and results from inadequate water intake. Dehydration can speed the onset of other heat injuries. Heat related injuries can cause dizziness, fatigue, disorientation and poor coordination. If not remedied, heatstroke can develop. Heat stroke occurs when the body core temperature rises beyond the capacity of the body to cool or cope. Heat stroke is very serious and can quickly lead to death. 

Foot Injuries. Wet feet, blisters, sprains, broken bones - foot injuries of all types are common in canyoneering. Finding the right footwear is very important. Wear shoes that provide adequate support. It is easy to roll an ankle walking on river rocks. Sandals and other lightweight shoes are generally not appropriate. Soles with good traction on wet rock will help prevent slips and falls. 

Don’t Count on Rescue 

 Deep inside a canyon, even a minor injury can create major problems.  Canyoneering will take you into some of the most spectacular and remote landscapes you will ever see. The technical problems that you encounter will challenge your abilities and heighten your sense of adventure. But keep in mind that the very elements that make canyoneering appealing will also complicate a rescue if it becomes necessary. If you or someone in your group becomes injured, it will be difficult for a search and rescue team to find you, gain access to render medical care, and extricate you from the canyon. Rescue could take several days and there is no guarantee of success. You must take responsibility for your own safety by being prepared. 

Planning for Escape or Retreat As you descend a canyon it is critical that you constantly consider your options for escape or retreat. Escape refers to exiting the canyon to the rim through breaks in the canyon wall - climbable cracks, tributaries, steep gullies, lower-angled slopes, or a series of shelves. Retreat refers to retracing your route and returning upstream by climbing the rock or ascending fixed ropes. Planning for escape or retreat is especially important during first descents when the difficulty of the terrain ahead is unknown. It is also important when you question the reliability of the information you received regarding the canyon (i.e. anchors, rope length required, water volume) or you are concerned about the likelihood of a flash flood. An awareness of your options will allow you to make better decisions in an emergency or to change your plans if you discover that you miscalculated the time required to complete the descent. 12 The planning process should begin even before you enter the canyon. Study your topographic map to identify potential exits. If possible, scout each exit from the rim. If it does not appear that any natural exits exist, consider hanging fixed ropes over the rim at strategic locations to facilitate your exit if it becomes necessary. Once you begin your descent, refer to the map often to remain aware of the location of each potential exit. Is the closest exit a little ways ahead of you or behind you? As you pass each exit, study it to determine if it is actually doable. Can you exit here quickly or will it require setting up protection and belays? While you’re at it, keep your eyes open for high ground. Constantly ask yourself; “If a flash flood came right now, where would I go?” This mental exercise can drastically reduce your reaction time in the event of an actual flash flood and could save your life. If you are uncertain about your ability to escape to the rim, it will be wise to plan ahead for the possibility of retreat. Do not pull your rope immediately after a rappel. Leave it fixed until you are certain of an exit downstream. Then return to pull the rope. Canyoneering is fun and we encourage you to explore, but remember that your safety is your responsibility. Your decision to enter a canyon when the risks are high or you are unprepared could have dire consequences. 

When in doubt, stay out! The canyon will still be there tomorrow.  Canyoneering Ethics 

Leave No Trace

    Check with rangers or other local authorities regarding restrictions on camping, hiking and equipment use in the area you plan to visit. 

  Stay on established trails. If no trail exists, walk on the most durable surface possible. 

  Stay as low in the watercourse as possible when you . This way, your footprints will be washed away more quickly and you will be less likely to cause erosion. 

  Be careful not to step on or damage plants 

  Minimize disturbances to the environment. Never modify an area to make a campsite. The best campsites are natural and do not need to be improved. Camp on slick rock or open sand. 14 

  Use a tent rather than build a natural shelter. In an emergency, if you have to build a natural shelter, dismantle it and scatter the remains before you leave. 

  Clean up after yourself. Do not leave wrappers, food or any other refuse in the canyon. You packed it in - you can pack it out. 

  Leave the canyon cleaner than you found it. Pick up all litter you find in the canyon. 

  Bury or pack out all human waste. Human waste left in narrow slot canyons, in alcoves, under overhangs, under rocks, or in any other dark, cool environment will not break down readily. Bury it at least six inches deep and 200 feet away from any water. The best location will have maximum sun exposure - on bare ground away from vegetation. In many canyons this is not possible, so you must be prepared to carry out your waste. Pack out your toilet paper, or, if fire warnings allow, burn it thoroughly. 

  Use stoves instead of fires whenever possible. Fires leave long lasting scars and impact the surrounding ecology. 

   Leave ruins, artifacts and pictographs as you found so that others may enjoy them, too. Do not touch.

  Be sensitive to wildlife, especially during mating and nesting seasons. Never feed wild animals. Feeding them spreads disease and increases their dependence on humans. Watch and listen to wildlife from a distance.

  Etiquette 

Talk quietly. Respect other peoples’ desire to enjoy the serenity of the canyon by avoiding loud conversations and other boisterous behavior. 

  Allow others to “play through.” Canyons can be very narrow, providing no room for faster groups to pass slower groups. As a result, bottlenecks can develop, especially at rappel stations. Be considerate of others. The efficiency and safety of both groups can be improved through cooperation. 

  Park only in designated areas or along roadways that are not posted. Car pool whenever it is practical. 

 Permits and Trespassing Canyons exist on private land, public land and Native American land. Some are freely accessible. Some are accessible only with the required permits. Others are closed completely. As canyoneers we must respect the rights and responsibilities of all land managers if we hope to insure our future access to the canyons. When fees are required, they are usually only a few dollars - a small price to pay for the great pleasure we derive from our canyoneering experiences. Help maintain positive relationships between canyoneers, other recreators, landowners and managers by obeying the regulations that apply to users of these lands. 

Anchors Many canyons require the use of rope to descend. Using ropes usually necessitates some kind of anchor. There are two basic types of anchors -- natural and artificial. Natural anchors are constructed using materials found in the canyon; trees, rocks and other natural features. Artificial anchors are constructed by placing fixed hardware in the rock, typically bolts and hangers. Constructing any anchor is a serious issue; your life depends on its strength. Placing artificial anchors properly is much more difficult than simply tying a piece of webbing around a tree. Improperly placed bolts are not only unsightly, but also very dangerous. If you place a bolt, people descending the canyon after you will place their lives in your hands. For this reason, artificial anchors should only be placed by experts. Issues to consider as you weigh your anchor options: 

 Safety Your single most important concern when descending any canyon should be the safety of your group. At least one member of your party should be able to (a) accurately judge the safety of any anchor you may find, and (b) construct solid natural and artificial anchors. Risking life or serious injury by using an anchor of unknown or marginal strength, whether natural or artificial, is foolish. Be sure to bring plenty of webbing to build your own anchors if needed, and to replace unsafe slings left by previous parties. A bolt kit may also be a good item to carry, IF you know how to use it. A bolt kit should not be considered as a Your second concern should be for the long-term impact on the canyon. As canyoneers, it is our responsibility to respect and conserve our canyon resources by supporting minimum impact practices. You should always try to: 

 Remain in the watercourse to minimize erosion. If you must leave the watercourse, try to minimize your impact by staying as close to the watercourse as possible and moving only on solid rock.  

Locate anchors used by previous parties. This can often eliminate the need to build additional, unnecessary anchors. 

Clean up each anchor you encounter. Remove old webbing and carry it out. Replace the old webbing with new; do not add your new webbing on top of the old. This practice can quickly create an unsightly (and difficult to inspect) “rats nest” of tattered webbing.  

Consider other options before building an anchor. Do you really have to rappel? Down climbing, when within your ability, will eliminate the need for an anchor. Be sure to consider the abilities of everyone in your group. Perhaps the best climber in your group can provide a belay for others, then downclimb solo. For short down climbs, spotting from below may be adequate. Just because it’s there doesn’t mean it’s solid. You are responsible for your own safety. Inspect every anchor, natural or artificial, to make sure it is solid before you trust your life to it. Photo by Tom Jones  

Combine rappels. Using a single anchor for one long rappel will eliminate the need to place additional anchors. 

 Use natural anchors whenever possible. All things being equal, use a natural anchor for your rappel. Learn to rig the rope so that nothing is left behind, including webbing. 

Use only natural, subdued colors if you must leave webbing behind. 

Consider the health of the vegetation used for anchors. In remote, seldom-traveled canyons, these natural anchors only support an occasional canyoneers. In heavily-traveled canyons, however, the repeated use of a single tree may ultimately kill it. 

Give extra thought to the anchors at the first and last rappels in the canyon. Anchors in the canyon are typically only seen by other canyoneers. Other recreators, such as hikers, can often see the first and last anchors. They may not appreciate your anchor marring their otherwise pristine view. 

Place artificial anchors correctly and securely (considering the type of rock and the watercourse), so that subsequent users will not have to place additional anchors. Rather than backing up a bad bolt with a good bolt, remove the bad bolt/s and replace it/them with good ones. Placing reliable bolts requires training and practice.