Getting off the Boat: Safety off-river begins before you actually step on shore. Caution should be used stepping on and off the boat. It takes a little getting used to as the boats are somewhat awkwardly shaped and can be slippery. A person can easily twist an ankle or lose their balance and fall. Just take your time and be careful.

For those with balance problems, sitting on the edge of the boat and swinging the legs over can assist disembarking, as can a helpful hand. Ask for help if you need it or even if a steady helping hand will make you more comfortable. Don’t let a minor accident ruin your trip.

Along shore and in camp: Walking near the river's edge can be hazardous especially if the bank is steep, rocky, or muddy. People have accidentally slipped and fallen into the river or against rocks. While scouting rapids, wear your lifejacket off the boat. It may help prevent serious injuries to your chest or your back by offering padding if you were to fall against any rocks. Avoid getting too close to the river's edge if the bank is steep or slippery. Wearing sandals or shoes around camp is a good idea as it can help prevent stubbed toes, stepping on cactus spines, cuts, or puncture wounds to the feet. Although river sandals are comfortable and practical around the boats and in the sand and water, they are not typically the best footwear for extended hiking away from the river. To prevent all of the above as well as sprained or broken ankles, a proper-fitting lightweight hiking boot or walking shoe is best. Try to quickly familiarize yourself with the terrain around your camp before dark. At night, use a flashlight and be especially careful while urinating at the river's edge, a practice required by Grand Canyon National Park resource protection and sanitation regulations.

Do not swim in the river: Although the river can be a cool and tempting reprieve from the heat, many individuals have drowned while intentionally swimming in the Colorado River after being overwhelmed by its strong currents and cold water. Swimming in the river violates National Park Service regulations and is strongly discouraged. It is a good practice to never enter the river beyond waste deep without wearing your lifejacket.

The Inner Canyon is a desert environment: As an arid, desert environment, the river corridor of the Grand Canyon is extremely HOT and DRY, especially during the summer months. Daily temperatures along the river typically reach well over one hundred degrees. Unless a person lives and works in such an environment, their body will not be acclimatized to such heat at the start of their trip.

Unfortunately, for your body to fully adjust or "acclimatize" to such conditions takes about twelve to fourteen days. However, there are several things a person can do to compensate, to remain comfortable, and to avoid heat-related problems.

Heat exhaustion and dehydration: Above air temperatures of 95 degrees, virtually all of the body's cooling is done through perspiration. Sweat on the skin can evaporate so quickly that many people are not even aware they are perspiring. Fluid losses, therefore, can be rapid and excessive. Even on river trips where there is an abundance of water, people have developed heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Keeping your body cool and hydrated is vital.

Several liters of fluids should be consumed each day, preferably liquid supplemented by electrolytes (see below). Do not wait until you are thirsty! Wear a wide brim hat and loose fitting clothing that breathes easily next to your skin. (Sunscreens and sunglasses are also strongly recommended for protection against intense solar glare.)

It's also a good idea to cool your body down by frequently wetting your head and clothes. People who are not adjusted to the heat produce much less perspiration than those who are, up to sixty percent less. By wetting your body down, you compensate by making "artifical perspiration." It feels wonderful when it's extremely hot, especially when you are hiking uphill. You'll breathe easier and feel much more comfortable.

Electrolyte problems: Unacclimatized individuals not only produce less perspiration, they do not hold electrolytes as well in the bloodstream, especially sodium. Your body will be losing excessive amounts of salt through your perspiration, and it needs to be replaced. If it isn't it can lead to painful heat cramps, or to a potentially serious electrolyte imbalance called "hyponatremia."

In order to compensate for these salt losses and to prevent these problems, it is very important to eat adequate amounts of salted foods daily. For those on low sodium diets, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about setting such diets aside for the duration of your river trip in order to avoid electrolyte depletion.

Canyon hiking: It is common practice on river trips to stop and take side canyon group hikes during the day or from camp. Hiking provides a rewarding opportunity to see some of the most scenic places the canyon has to offer. It is always an optional off-river activity.

Hikes can vary from mild to strenuous and can also be hot and dry. Your guides will inform you of the degree of difficulty when offering a hiking suggestion. However, it is important to never try of hike beyond your level of fitness.

If you have heart or lung disease, it is extremely important to consult with your doctor before your trip about how to best participate.