Knowing hand signals is crucial for communicating on the river. Six signals are widely understood in the paddling community and endorsed by the International Rafting Federation.

• Stop: Paddle held horizontally above the head
• Go: Paddle held up vertically
• Eddy out: Circling a single raised finger and pointing to the eddy
• I’m Okay: Thumb and index finger joined in an O and tapped on the top of helmet
• Any kind of X formed with arms or paddles means first aid required.
• Always point in the direction you want a paddler to go, never point toward danger.