Most of the accidents that occur during canyoning have to do with lack of planning, inadequate preparation or pure recklessness. Security depends largely, therefore, on the person themselves. It is very important that, if you do not have experience, you contact directly the companies specialized in this discipline.
SAFETY IN CANYONING
When selecting a ravine we must be honest with our own training and capabilities. Each ravine has its technical difficulty, length, flow and current state. The experience and physical capabilities of the group and their degree of training must also be taken into account. It is important that you see the levels of canyoning that exist and know which one is the most similar to your capabilities.
The regulations regarding the number of group members must be respected. It is always preferable that they be small groups, but it is recommended that they be at least three components.
When planning an activity, go to manuals, guides and websites like this one where you are you will find many tips for practicing this sport. Expand and update the information as much as you can in order to get a complete image of the ravine. It doesn't hurt to talk to local people (guides, companies, tourist offices, local athletes, etc.) who can give you more current information about the state of the ravine.
The meteorology will also influence the decision, since there are ravines that increase in difficulty during times of rain or isolated storms. A higher flow rate can prevent passages and leave us trapped. Heading storms are especially important. Landslides can change the course of the ravine so the progression may not be the same as we expect. It is therefore essential to know the current state of the ravine if we do not want any danger to surprise us.
In short, when choosing a ravine you must take these points into account:
- Whether it is equipped or not. This is key to being able to choose what material you have to bring. The safest thing to do is go to a canyon that is equipped with chemical anchors.
- Your physical and technical ability and that of the group.
- The execution schedules and their technical difficulty.
- The meteorology both in the ravine and in the entire basin.
- The current state of the ravine.
Do not forget that in all planning, you must take into account the escapes from the ravine and their return routes.
And don't forget to let other people know about your plans and schedules!
