Floating an idea

When the rafts take to the river, safety is usually left behind on the banks. A workshop in Rishikesh is trying to rescue the situation

FROM October to May every year, the white sands of the Ganges get a dash of colour as more and more tents join the campsites. Rafting in the Ganges that began as an amateur hobby ten years has grown into an Rs 150-crore annual big business. But safety measures have not kept pace with the boom and the number of accidents has gone up 8212; three rafting enthusiasts have died in the past two years on the river.

But finally, the industry is taking notice, prompted largely by the initiative of two adventure tourism entrepreneurs. Amit Singh and Sacchidanand Swami, both computer professionals who left Delhi and their careers six years ago to start a rafting company, held a four-day workshop on white water rescue, perhaps the first in India. The workshop on first aid and cardio-pulmonary respiration ended on Thursday.

8220;We had been thinking about holding a safety training workshop since most of the adventure sports enthusiasts and people involved in white water rafting didn8217;t know much about rescue and first aid in case of an emergency,8221; says Singh, director of Katabatic River Explorers. It was difficult to convince sponsors about a training that seemed boring to many. 8220;But what got it going was the spirit of adventure enthusiasts who contributed to arrange the training workshop,8221; Swami adds.

They succeeded in roping in First Aid International and Rescue 3 International 8212; reputed international companies in first aid and white water rescue 8212; to lend their expertise to the workshop. Dr Bobby Dewan of First Aid International and Chandra Ale of Rescue 3 International, practically trained 30 participants in various aspects of first aid and white water rescue.

Most of the young participants of the course are involved with rafting or kayaking business working as river guides for various rafting companies based at Rishikesh. There were eight participants of the workshop from the southern states. 8220;The basic idea is to upgrade the professional skills of the people in the industry which are imperative when in the outdoors at the mercy of the elements. Just a bit of knowledge and skill can make a large difference between life and death,8221; explains Singh.

While Dewan taught the various aspects of first aid and cardio-pulmonary respiration, ace white water rescuer Chandra Ale taught the various aspects of white water rescue to the participants.

Encouraged by the success of the workshop, Swami and Singh are toying with the idea of starting an Institute of Rafting and Kayaking at Rishikesh. 8220;It would not only benefit the rafting industry by bringing in international standards in safety and rescue but would also come to the aid of local people in case of a natural calamity,8221; explains Ale.