MRS Paddling Academy | Accident Case Report Series– Vol. 5 | Best Packrafts 2026 | Lightweight & Durable Inflatable Boats

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Ziyang

Translator for the Chinese National Rowing Team
Honorary Coach at MRS Paddling Academy
Level 3 ACA Packrafter
Participant in white-water rafting on Nepal’s Karnali River

Accident Review

A group of us went rafting together, and since it had just rained the day before, the water level of that river section wasn’t low.

I remember that before reaching a rapid, the river suddenly narrowed, with large rocks ahead. Within about 50 to 70 meters, there was a 2-3 story drop, accompanied by three bends, followed by several steps. The area was very narrow, and with the significant drop, the water flow was intense. Many participants felt fearful when they approached that section.

Since I tend to be braver, I was the first to go into the water.

Ziyang

However, at that time, I didn’t have much experience, and my skills were not as good as they are now. When I went through the second bend, I didn’t handle it well, and the raft flipped over.

My current skills are enough for level 3 rivers, but level 4 would be risky

I began struggling to save myself, and soon after, it was as if I lost consciousness.

When I woke up, it felt like I had a dream about something else related to water. When I snapped back, I was already standing on the shore, holding my paddle. I didn’t feel any headache or anything unusual; I just knew for sure that I had been rescued, and only I was aware of my memory loss in the water. After that, I completed the rest of the trip.

Later, after watching the recorded video, I saw that I had flipped multiple times during the descent and couldn’t right myself. After the accident, I thoroughly inspected my helmet and found a noticeable mark on the back, as if it had been scratched by a fierce animal. I knew I must have hit my head during the incident, and later, I also noticed a small shadow in my left eye. Fortunately, the doctor said it was a minor sports-related injury that would gradually disappear over time.

Furthermore, such an accident has indeed caused us significant losses: I dropped a camera worth over 2,000 RMB, damaged a helmet worth more than 1,000 RMB, and spent hundreds on hospital examination fees.

Accident Review

In fact, that river was an over-the-limit challenge for me. It was clear that it exceeded my skill level at the time. Additionally, we were unfamiliar with the river, and the locals didn’t provide us much guidance. We were mostly figuring things out on our own and didn’t know how to properly read the water or handle it professionally. Simply put, we were still “beginners” and hadn’t made sufficient preparations

Correct Instruction

1、International River Difficulty Level

The international river difficulty level system was created by the American Whitewater Association. It is a reference system that classifies the difficulty of rivers around the world into six levels. However, these standards only serve as “typical values” for paddlers to refer to. The actual difficulty can vary due to factors such as weather, surroundings, and the skill of the paddlers.
*Note: The highest grade suitable for packrafting is Class III. Before going into the water, please carefully evaluate factors such as the packraft types, the nature of the water, personal skills, and the team’s abilities. Never challenge beyond your skill level.

Calm Water

Refers to water with no significant flow

Representative Waters:

West Lake in Hangzhou
Sancha Lake in Chengdu, and highland lakes

Class I Rivers

Easy. Fast-flowing water with small ripples and small waves. The water has almost no obstacles, and any obstacles present can be easily avoided.

Representative Waters:

Tuo River in Chengdu

Class II Rivers

Beginner. Fast, straight rapids with wide and clear routes. Water flows faster, with more obstacles. Trained paddlers can easily avoid obstacles. Swimmers rarely get injured, and the demand for team rescue is low.

Representative Waters:

Qingyi River

Class III Rivers

Intermediate. Requires technical skills with medium, irregular waves. Rapids and waves are harder to avoid. Boat handling skills are necessary to navigate through obstacles, and scouting skills are required. Team assistance is needed to avoid long swimming periods.

Representative Waters:

Wugong Rock Rapids on Chishui River
Danggang Rapids on Nu River.

Class IV Rivers

Advanced. Large holes, big waves. Their rapids are typically predictable, with established routes. However, these routes require quick reactions and excellent boat control skills. Swimmers are prone to injury, and self-rescue is difficult, usually requiring team assistance.

Representative Waters:

Xintan Rapids on Chishui River
Feihong Rapids on Min River.

Class V Rivers

Expert. Long, intense rapids with limited recovery opportunities. The section may contain unavoidable large waves and holes. Scouting is difficult, swimming is dangerous, with a high risk of death, and rescue is also challenging.

Representative Waters:

Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Class VI Rivers

Almost never attempted; the rapids are extremely challenging, with likely fatal consequences.

Representative Waters:

Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River.

Notes:

Regional differences in grading: When paddling in a new area, it is recommended to start with rivers of lower grades to determine their equivalency.
Published grades may change: High flow levels can alter the rapids.

2. River Selection

The difficulty of the river that suits you depends on your ability to execute the appropriate maneuvers. In other words, paddlers choosing to run Class III rivers should ensure they can maintain control when paddling and swimming in Class III rapids.

The danger depends on your skills, training, equipment, and the team’s assistance capabilities.

Disclaimer

The above “Accident Case Report” should be considered a supplement to on-site training but cannot replace it. You should still actively seek out courses on swiftwater rescue, rafting instruction, and wilderness first aid. If you don’t have the opportunity to take formal courses, diligent study, regular practice, and capable partners can provide a suitable learning environment.

The views expressed in this document are purely personal and do not adhere to any explicit standards in terms of style, technique, equipment, or safety.

Ultimately, you are responsible for your own safety.