W. Va. Code R. § 182-01-11

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section 182-01-11 - Trip Leaders and Trip Guides

11.1. It shall be the responsibility of the licensee to instruct all trip leaders and trip guides in all applicable safety and emergency procedures.

11.2.Trip Leaders. Each commercial Whitewater trip must include a trip leader. A trip leader must meet all trip guide qualifications specified in Section 11.3 of these regulations. In addition, a trip leader:

11.2.1. Must be at least 20 years old, unless approved in writing by the director.

11.2.2. Must have made a minimum of twenty trips on a river or rivers of comparable or higher American Whitewater Affiliation class rating to the river portion to be guided, of which six trips were on the river portion to be guided.

11.2.3. Must have a thorough knowledge of the area traversed.

11.2.4. Must be knowledgeable and capable of giving a suitable orientation talk to passengers on such subjects as personal flotation devices and safety.

11.3.Trip Guides. A trip guide:

11.3.1. Must be at least 18 years old, unless approved in writing by the director,

11.3.2. Must have made a minimum of ten trips on a river or rivers of comparable or . higher American Whitewater Affiliation class rating to the river portion to be guided, of which three trips were on the river portion to be guided.

11.3.3. Must be able to operate watercraft used in the licensee's commercial Whitewater operation and assume responsibility for passenger safety.

11.3.4. Must have a valid American Red Cross standard first aid card, or the equivalent.

11.3.5. Must have a thorough knowledge of the area traversed.

11.3.6. Must be familiar with floating in Whitewater conditions in a personal flotation device.

11.4. For commercial Whitewater operations on the Shenandoah River, a licensee may employ the services of trainee guides provided that all requirements concerning the number of trip guides set forth in Section 8.6 of these regulations are met. Trainee guides shall be at least 16 years old and otherwise meet the qualifications set forth in Section 11.3 of these regulations.

11.5. For commercial Whitewater operations on the Gauley River, the director may require a trip guide to attest that he has made a minimum of three trips on the Gauley River when the river flow equalled or exceeded 1,000 cubic feet per second. The director may also require the licensee to submit a roster of trip guides who meet the qualifications set forth in this subsection and who are expected to be employed by the licensee throughout the designated peak season on the Gauley River. The director may also require the licensee to notify him of any changes in such roster made during the course of such season.

11.6. Variations from the qualifications of trip leader or trip guide as set forth in this section may be approved by the director. Requests for variation must be made in writing to the director and such requests must substantiate that the variation does not reduce the intent of the qualifications set forth in these regulations.

11.7. Documents relating to the requirements of this section may be kept at the licensee's base camp for inspection by the director or his representative.

W. Va. Code R. § 182-01-11