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River safety equipment: my 2026 recommendations

Safety on the river relies on a few essential pieces of equipment. Whether whitewater kayaking, rafting, or packrafting, certain tools can make all the difference when a situation escalates.


In this article, I share my river safety equipment for 2026, based on my experience as a guide and instructor on the Jacques-Cartier River.


This article does not cover all equipment, as that would be too long for a single article.


I will instead focus on three essential elements:


  • River knife

  • Pin kit: carabiners, Prusiks, pulleys, sling

  • Whistle


Which knife should I use in a river?


A river knife should ideally have:

  • Rounded tip: to avoid injuring a victim when cutting equipment and to prevent puncturing an inflatable boat

  • Only one cutting edge: reduces the risk of injury

  • Serrated blade: much more effective for cutting rope

  • Colored handle: easier to find if dropped in water


Regarding a folding knife (in addition to the points above):

  • Thumb hole: allows the knife to be opened with one hand, even with cold and/or wet hands.

  • Lockable blade


The debate: fixed blade vs. folding blade. My personal position: folding blade.


Some points to consider:

  • Do you know a single pro kayaker (Red Bull level) who carries a fixed-blade knife on their PFD?

  • Why do most PFD manufacturers now include a slot designed for a folding knife? Is it a fad... or a deliberate choice?

  • Have you ever heard of someone losing a fixed-blade knife in the river? I have. Dozens of times. A folding knife? Never.

  • Do you have a single example of someone having to free themselves from a rope completely submerged underwater? I haven't found any. And with one hand? Even less likely. The odds seem extremely slim to me.

  • Question for rafters: Has your knife ever gotten stuck while climbing back into the raft? Mine has, often. With a folding knife, this problem doesn't exist. I prefer to optimize my mobility and self-rescue, which happens regularly, rather than preparing for an extremely unlikely situation.


Carrying an external knife near the chin strap (PFD strap) can be dangerous.


Documented example:


Ultimately, the primary goal remains cutting a rope. In my experience, most folding knives cut better than fixed-blade knives. But try it yourself and see for yourself.




Line-up 2026 (from left to right):

  • NRS Co-Pilot

  • NRS Pilot

  • Wichard Offshore Rescue Knife

  • CRKT Bear Claw

  • NRS Photic

  • Palm Folding Knife

  • Whitby Safety\Rescue Blunt Ended Lock Knife

  • Peak UK River Knife

  • Gerber EZ Out Rescue Knife

  • Spyderco Assist Salt


My choice

Folding blade: Spyderco Assist

→ Available at Pagaie Québec

Fixed blade: Wichard Offshore


If you take a course with Rivière Concept, we encourage our participants to wait before buying a knife. We lend them out during the course so you can try different models before making a choice.


What is a pin kit?


A pin kit is a set of basic equipment that allows you to create a simple mechanical advantage system (Z-drag/3:1).


The quick reference guide:

4-3-2-1-1

  • 4 carabiners

  • 3 pulleys

  • 2 Prusiks

  • 1 strap

  • 1 rope bag


Carabiner


What I'm looking for:

  • Locking carabiner. Non-locking carabiners have no place in rivers. They can connect elements that shouldn't be connected. I prefer automatic systems: double action (twist lock) and triple action. Let's be honest: who hasn't ever forgotten to tighten a screw-lock carabiner? Me included. Automatic = problem solved.

  • Pear-shaped (HMS). Allows you to pass over a knot. With a D-shaped carabiner, it locks. For a beginner, it doesn't make much difference. But if you've progressed to more complex rope work, it's very useful. Example: crossing a river on a zipline (TR2 training).






Line-up 2026:

  • SMC Force Jake Twist-Lock

  • Palm Side Swing HMS AutoLock

  • DMM Boa HMS Kwiklock


My choice: SMC or DMM, Palm has a rougher finish.


Pulley


What I'm looking for:

  • Minimum 1 Prusik locking pulley. To create the progress sensor in a mechanical advantage system.

  • Suitable width. Ideally compatible with a rope ≤ 11 mm. If the pulley is too wide, the prusik may enter the pulley and no longer function properly.

  • Ball bearings are much more efficient ( ≈90% vs. ≈60-70%). A low-end pulley is sometimes not much more efficient than a carabiner.



Line-up 2026:

  • Petzl Rescue S

  • Petzl oscillating belay device ( ball bearing diameter, budget friendly)

  • Beal Transf'air Mini → Prusik blocker

  • Level Six Pulley → Prusik blocker

  • Petzl Minder S1 → Prusik blocker

  • Rock Exotica Mini Machined Pulley → Prusik blocker

  • Palm Prusik Minding Pulley → Prusik blocker


My choice:

Anything but Beal and Level Six


Prusik


What I'm looking for:

  • Diameter 3mm smaller than the rope of the rope bag (minimum 5mm)

  • Compact length (≈ 13.5 inches)

  • Pre-sewn loop. HowNOT2 demonstrated that a sewn Prusik knot is no stronger than a knotted one (11:20 → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fdOn2futNc ) . But it remains: faster, simpler, and less prone to errors. Some specialized materials (e.g., Sterling HollowBlock) grip smaller diameter ropes better.


My choice: Sterling HollowBlock 13.5


Strap (Guide sling / Flip line)


What I'm looking for:

  • Spectra/Dyneema ( UHMWPE)

  • Rabbit Runner Type

  • A length of 3 to 4m



Extremely versatile tool

  • Flipping a raft

  • Anchoring on the riverbank or on a boat

  • Mini throwing rope

  • Tow strap

  • Etc.


Photo: River Hardware — Rafting Flip Line. Source: River Hardware Flip Line product page



The old "Guide belts" were often knotted tubular straps, sometimes worn around the waist. The new models are much more compact, lightweight, and versatile. I carry mine in a pocket of my PFD.




Line-up 2026:

  • BlueWater 13mm Titan Anchor Sling/Rabbit runner 3.6 meters

  • River Hardware Rafting Flip Line 3.6m

  • Palm Cobra sling 4m


→ Available at Kayak Retail


Whistle



Line-up 2026:

  • Storm 120 dB+. "The most powerful whistle in the world." Works underwater.

  • Fox 40 Sonik Blast 120 dB

  • Fox 40 Classic 115 dB


My choice: Fox 40 Sonik Blast

→ Available everywhere


Conclusion


River safety is based first and foremost on training and practice.


If you wish to learn how to use this equipment in a real context, Rivière Concept offers whitewater rescue training on the Jacques-Cartier River, near Quebec City.


Looking forward to seeing you on the water,


Alex

 
 
 

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