Recommendations for a Rafting Guide

[elduderino]

I'm headed to West Virginia in a month to start training as a rafting guide. I'm wondering what kind of gear everyone would recommend I have. I obviously will have a pfd, helmet, rescue knife, whistle, throw bag, but it's some of the other stuff I was hoping to hear input on. For instance, I was thinking some dry pants or bibs to pair with my drytop for cooler days would be a good investment, as well as some sunglasses. If you have $.02 to put in about what kind of sunglasses, or any thing else I haven't thought of, I'd appreciate it. Anyone with any knowledge or experience, please let me hear it.

[okieboater]

I would pick up one of the small size roll top good quality dry bags handy enough to clip in some where in arm's reach. Then put in what ever items came to mind like lip protection, nail clipper, granola bar, sun screen, aspirin, just what ever small item you might want on the river to make your day go a bit easier. also get some sort of good sunglass loss protection like chums etc. Maybe toss in some sort of capaline light weight long sleeve tee for either sun protection or if a cool wind starts blowing.

[Crane]

Carabiners... locking; Prussic loops; go for dry top and pants, rather than a dry-suit, because summer gets hot; a good 32 oz. water-bottle, with a nylon cord tied securely around it and wrapped with duct-tape to prevent losing the bottle, clipped on with of your carabiners; a darned good-working whistle

[SteveGabbard]

Check out Native sunglasses.

[okieboater]

http://www.silverfish.com/sunglasses/sp ... code=S1001" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Above is the best kayaking sunglasses I have found.

Expensive, but have had mine a long time. The fit is close to the face and difficult to be washed off in case of a swim.

One great feature is the lens are replaceable. Which means your local eye glass shop can put in a Rx if ever needed.

[Shep]

In my experience, they are all squirrelly and to be avoided... Oh wait, you meant GEAR for raft guides... Oops.

Shep