(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.

[1997 c 391 § 4; 1993 c 244 § 30; 1986 c 217 § 6. Formerly RCW 88.12.245, 88.12.280, and 91.14.050.]

NOTES:

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

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