Witness Narrative by (do not publish name) on 2008-07-17 (okay to publish): I am now sitting back at my home recovering from a traumatic experience on the Arkansas River – Royal Gorge. I was on a trip chaperoning teenagers and this was part of our tour of Colorado. Before going on the trip I tried to find out more information about route we would take and the difficulty of the route but was unable to. I kept thinking that surely the tour company would not allow a group of mixed ability students to do something very dangerous. Right before we got in the bus to go to the drop in, we were told it the rapids would be from level 3 – 5 (mostly 4). When we questioned whether it was safe one of the river guides said that it was what the company had purchased and what they use for 14 years and older. They acted like there was nothing to worry about. Although there was a safety talk as we traveled to the river at no time was athletic ability or experience mentioned as being a requirement. When preparing to get in and go the guide asked if anyone did not want to row. I questioned whether he thought I would be OK (being overweight and inexperienced) and he said it would not be a problem. I ended up in the back right position – again I questioned whether this was a good position for me and he said no problem. After trying to lock in my feet as he explained, I told the guide that I could not get my left foot back behind me to lock in and once again he did not see it as a problem. Well, the rest of the story is that after going down sunshine falls and while in sledge hammer (i think that is what it is called) – I fell out of the boat while trying to row the rapids. The water was churning so much that my glasses kept flying off of my face even though I had a strap. My left thigh hit a rock and my shin also hit a rock. I made it to the surface and found the guide ready with the paddle handle to pull me in. I certainly feel like he saved my life and tipped him after the trip. It was only later – and still in pain – that I realized that this could have been prevented. If more information about who is suited to go down the runs would have been made available I could have made a more intelligent decision. The guides need to be trained to help people understand their limits. I would have more than welcomed a recommendation that I sit in the middle or not even go based on my physical ability. I was asking all along for more guidance. I know that the release form emphasizes personal responsibility, but that should not release the company from the responsibility of being upfront and honest. This run was not OK for me and only after I have been banged and bruised and possibly never the same do I realize it. My neck, back, and knee are experiencing pain. I only hope that something can be done to make unsuspecting tourist more aware. I know that it would be bad for business to advertise that there have been deaths on the river, because I know that I would not have gone if I had known. Thanks for listening to my story and I only hope that others are properly warned before it is too late.