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Whitewater rafting can be a dangerous sport, particularly if basic safety precautions are not observed. Both commercial and private trips have seen their share of wound and fatalities, though private travel has typically been linked with greater risk. Depending on the area, legislated safety measures may exist for rafting operators. These range from certification of outfitters, rafts, and raft leaders, to more severe regulations about equipment and events.

It is generally sensible to discuss safety measures with a rafting operator before signing on for a trip. Like most outdoor sports, rafting in general has become safer over the years. Expertise in the sport has increased, and equipment has become more particular and increased in quality. As a result the difficulty rating of most river runs has changed. Danger in whitewater rafting stem from both environmental dangers and from rude behavior. Certain features on rivers are intrinsically unsafe and have remained consistently so despite the passage of time.

Rafting in Nepal

These would include "keeper hydraulics", "strainers" (e.g. fallen trees), dams (especially low-head dams, which tend to produce river-wide keeper hydraulics), undercut rocks, and of course dangerously high waterfalls. Rafting with experienced guides is the safest way to avoid such features. Irresponsible behavior related to rafting while inebriated has also contributed to many accidents.
To combat the illusion that rafting is akin to an amusement park ride, and to underscore the personal responsibility each rafter faces on a trip, rafting outfitters generally require customers to sign waiver forms indicating understanding and acceptance of potential serious risks. Rafting trips often begin with safety presentation to educate customers about harms that may arise.

Due to this the overall risk level on a rafting trip with knowledgeable guides using proper defense is low. Thousands of people safely enjoy raft trips every year.