(1) While carrying passengers for hire on whitewater rivers in this state, the licensed whitewater river outfitter shall comply with the following requirements at the beginning of every trip:

(a) If using inflatable vessels, use only vessels with three or more separate air chambers;

(b) Ensure that all passengers are wearing a securely fastened United States coast guard-approved type V personal flotation device of the proper size, and that all guides are wearing a securely fastened United States coast guard-approved type III or type V personal flotation device;

(c) Ensure that a spare United States coast guard-approved type III or type V personal flotation device in good repair is accessible to all vessels on each trip;

(d) Ensure that each vessel has on it a bagged throwable line with a floating line and bag;

(e) Ensure that each vessel has accessible an adequate first aid kit;

(f) Ensure that each vessel has a spare propelling device;

(g) Ensure that a repair kit and air pump are accessible to inflatable vessel;

(h) Ensure that equipment to prevent and treat hypothermia is accessible to all vessels on a trip; and

(i) Ensure that each vessel is operated by a guide who has complied with the requirements of subsection (2) of this section.

(2) No person may act as a guide unless the individual is at least eighteen years of age and has:

(a) Successfully completed a lifesaving training course meeting standards adopted by the commission;

(b) Completed a program of guide training on whitewater rivers, conducted by a guide instructor, which program must run for a minimum of fifty hours on a whitewater river and must include at least the following elements:

(i) Equipment preparation and boat rigging;

(ii) Reading river characteristics including currents, eddies, rapids, and hazards;

(iii) Methods of scouting and running rapids;

(iv) River rescue techniques, including emergency procedures and equipment recovery; and

(v) Communications with clients, including paddling and safety instruction; and

(c) Completed at least one trip on an entire section of whitewater river before carrying passengers for hire in a vessel on any such section of whitewater river.

(3) A guide instructor must have traveled at least one thousand five hundred river miles, seven hundred fifty of which must have been while acting as a guide.

(4) Any person conducting guide training on whitewater rivers shall, upon request of a guide trainee, issue proof of completion to the guide completing the required training program.

Effective date—1997 c 391 ss 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8: See note following RCW 79A.60.410.

Intent—1993 c 244: See note following RCW 79A.60.010.