How To Find a Summer Job as a River Guide

The summer is a time for adventure and what better way to spend it than to work as a river guide. That way you'll spend your summer rafting and get paid for it. Although a river guide's job sounds exciting and fun, there are serious responsibilities involved as you will be responsible for the safety of each one in your group.

1. Learn safety procedures. As a river guide you will be required to know the safety procedures while taking people down the river. Accidents can happen out on the river and being prepared for any incident will greatly save lives. Learn basic life saving techniques like CPR and how to treat wounds and fractures. Studying how the river flows will help you understand how to traverse the river safely and how to plan a strategy if someone falls of the raft and is swept away with the heavy current. The raft is the main mode of transportation down the river and a river guide has to know how to maneuver the raft in each direction even with a strong current to avoid huge rocks along the way. The kayak is used by one person but you will guide a group of river adventurers down through the rapids which is considered the true test of skill for kayakers. If something happens along the way you will have to raise the alarm for a rescue team to help you.
   
2. Locate rivers. The Internet can help you locate rivers in your area or in places where you wish to wok. You can ask your parents or their friends if they've been to a river and ask for their experience. This information will help you decide where to work. If you have little or no experience as a river guide then you should find a smaller river to hone your skills until you are better experienced to handle a bigger river.
   
3. Look for housing. You may not live in an area where there are rivers so you may have to relocate for the summer. You may have relatives or family friends who live in that area that could put you up for the summer. You can find lodging near the river but this means you will have to pay a fee. Another option is to sleep under the stars; you can bring a tent with you and pitch it near the river.  
   
4. Create your resume and list special skills. If you have a resume prepared, go through it to see if it is updated and holds relevant information for the job you are seeking to apply for. List special skills and awards like being on the school swim team or have received river rafting training. This information will help your employer decide whether you are fit for the job or not. You can get special training after school so you are prepared when you look for a job in the summer.

A river guide's job can be both mentally and physically challenging. A river guide needs to be aware of his surroundings on the river and know how to read the river's nuances to avoid serious accidents.