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🌊 Michigan Tubing Safety Guide: What to Know Before You Get on the River
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items Michigan river tubing can be a fun summer activity, but a river isn't a swimming pool. Before you float, check the river and weather conditions, know your launch and take-out points, understand the hazards, wear appropriate flotation equipment, and h...
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🌊 BEFORE YOU GO: PLAN YOUR MICHIGAN RIVER FLOAT
🦺 WATER SAFETY: LIFE JACKETS ARE NOT OPTIONAL GEAR
🧭 KNOW THE RIVER: HAZARDS YOU CAN'T ALWAYS SEE
🎒 TUBING SAFETY GEAR TO PACK
🚨 IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG
🌊 BEFORE YOU GO: PLAN YOUR MICHIGAN RIVER FLOAT
The safest tubing trip starts before anyone gets in the water. Check current conditions, closures, weather, access points and your route, and make sure someone outside your group knows your plan. Michigan DNR specifically recommends preparing a float...
🗺️ Check Michigan DNR before you go - Use Michigan DNR's paddling resources to research your trip, prepare a float plan and check current access information before entering the water.
Paddling
🚧 Check for closures and advisories - Don't assume a river access point is open because you've used it before. Closures can happen because of weather, repairs, flooding and other hazards.
DNR Closures
🌦️ Check the weather and river conditions - Heavy rain and high water can mean faster currents, deeper and colder water, unpredictable conditions and submerged debris. If conditions are dangerous, postpone the trip.
Stay away from flooded areas, rushing rivers and streams
📍 Know your launch AND take-out - Know exactly where you're entering and leaving the river, plus alternative exit points if someone becomes tired, separated or the group needs to get off early.
Find a state park, campground or trail
📱 Give someone your float plan - Tell someone who isn't on the trip where you're going, your route, your expected take-out and when you expect to be back. If something goes wrong, someone needs to know where to start looking.
Recreation Passport
🦺 WATER SAFETY: LIFE JACKETS ARE NOT OPTIONAL GEAR
A tube may feel relaxing, but moving water creates risks that aren't present in a pool. Michigan DNR recommends properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices and emphasizes their importance around the water.
🚫 Don't enter dangerous water just because everyone else is - If the river is unusually high, fast, flooded, stormy or beyond your group's ability, cancel the float. Michigan DNR specifically warns people to stay away from swollen rivers and rushing...
Stay away from flooded areas, rushing rivers and streams
👨👩👧 Know everyone's swimming ability - Plan around the least experienced swimmer in the group. Someone being a strong pool swimmer doesn't automatically mean they're prepared for current, cold water or river hazards. Grab this tube for group set...
DBX River Ride 2 River Tube
👧 Child Life Jacket - Children need a properly sized PFD; not an adult jacket that is too large. Check the manufacturer's weight range and approval information before buying. Important: Michigan's specific mandatory PFD rules depend on the type of w...
Hyperlite Child Life Vest
🦺 Adult U.S. Coast Guard-Approved Life Jacket - Look for a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved PFD appropriate for your size and activity. Don't buy based on appearance alone; check the label and fit. Michigan DNR specifically recommends prope...
Stearns Adult Classic Series Life Vest, USCG Approved Type III Life Jacket with Standard & Oversized Fits, Great for Boating, Swimming, Watersports, & More
🧭 KNOW THE RIVER: HAZARDS YOU CAN'T ALWAYS SEE
Rivers can hide hazards below the surface. Learn what is along your route before entering the water, especially trees, debris, dams, structures, deep sections and areas where the current changes.
🌲 Learn about strainers - A strainer can be a fallen tree or branches that allow water through while trapping a person or tube. Stay away rather than trying to navigate through it. Make sure to have the proper Personal Flotation Device; grab this on...
Astral Green Jacket Personal Flotation Device
🪵 Watch for submerged debris - High water can move branches, logs and other debris into a river. Michigan DNR specifically warns that higher water can bring more debris and unpredictable conditions. Grab this item just in case; you need to alert som...
Fox 40 Epik CMG Whistle
⚠️ Identify dams and dangerous structures - Know whether your route approaches a dam, spillway, bridge structure or other hazard. Never assume you can safely float through or around one. Having this item on hand helps just in case you need to help ge...
NRS Pro Compact Rescue Throw Bag
🚪 Know your emergency exit points - Before launching, identify places where you can safely leave the river if someone becomes tired, injured, separated or uncomfortable. Grab this item to keep your map waterproof and it separated from other items.
NRS HydroLock Mapcessory Map Case
🎒 TUBING SAFETY GEAR TO PACK
Keep your gear simple and practical. Your phone, emergency supplies, water and important personal items should stay protected from the water and accessible if plans change.
💧 Water + Sun Protection - Bring drinking water, sunscreen, sunglasses and appropriate sun protection. A long float can mean hours outdoors even when the temperature doesn't feel extreme. So, take these with you or leave them in your car.
DEMIKOS Polarized Retro Mirror Sunglasses
🩹 Waterproof First-Aid Kit - A compact waterproof first-aid kit can help with minor cuts, scrapes and other everyday problems while you're away from your vehicle.
Life Gear 130 pc First Aid Survival Kit and Dry Bag
🎒 Waterproof Dry Bag - Use a dry bag for items that absolutely need to stay dry, such as identification, keys, medications and backup supplies.
HEETA Waterproof Dry Bag Backpack with Phone Case
🔋 Portable Power Bank - A charged phone is useful only if the battery lasts. A compact power bank can give you additional battery life if your trip takes longer than expected.
ZZI 60000mAh Power Bank, 22.5W PD, 5 Devices
📱 Waterproof Phone Pouch - Keep your phone protected from water while keeping it accessible for navigation and emergency communication. Michigan DNR has specifically recommended carrying a waterproof phone for water activities.
OtterBox Universal Waterproof Phone Pouch with Lanyard ...
🚨 IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG
Don't wait until you're in the middle of an emergency to decide what to do. The goal is to keep the rest of the group safe, avoid creating additional victims and get professional help quickly.
📞 Call 911 for an immediate emergency - If someone is missing, drowning, trapped, seriously injured or in immediate danger, call 911. Give dispatch the river name, launch point, planned route, take-out location and the person's last known location.
Beach safety at state parks
🧭 Know EXACTLY Where You Are - Before tubing, save your launch point, take-out point and nearby landmarks. If an emergency happens, being able to tell 911 exactly where your group is can save critical time. Don't say: "We're somewhere on the river."...
Google Maps