Electronics & Technology

Once you are on the river, communication with the “outside world” is still very limited. You should plan to be fully unplugged for the duration of your trip, as traditional cell phone service is generally not available in river canyons.

Personal Satellite Communication Devices

Some guests now travel with personal satellite communication devices—such as Garmin inReach units, smartphones with satellite SOS capabilities, or even portable Starlink systems. While these tools may allow for limited messaging in certain locations, OARS strongly discourages bringing or using personal satellite communication devices on our trips.

Our guides carry satellite communication devices for emergency use and are trained to coordinate directly with emergency services. In emergency situations, it’s critical that the guide team manages all communication and response efforts. Multiple or uncoordinated communications can delay response and create confusion. If you choose to bring a personal satellite device, please ensure notifications and emergency/SOS features are turned off to prevent accidental activation.

Staying Connected from Home

If someone needs to reach you about an emergency at home, they should contact the OARS office at 800-346-6277. When possible, we will relay the message to the trip leader, though it may take several days depending on location and conditions. We recommend discussing in advance what you consider an emergency and providing these instructions to family or friends.

Many of our guests travel with their smartphone even though there is no cell service. On a trip like this, there is always the risk of water damage to smartphones and other electronic devices, even when they are stowed in a dry bag. If you intend to take your phone with you on the river, please review these helpful tips to protect your phone and consider investing in a small, waterproof case.

That said, part of the magic of a river trip is the chance to unplug. The use of electronic devices—especially music players, satellite communication devices, and flying drones—may intrude on the wilderness experience of your fellow guests.

We ask guests to be mindful when using electronic devices. If it’s important for you to maintain communication with work or home via satellite-enabled mobile device, please step away from the rest of the group and do so discreetly. Please bring headphones if you intend to listen to music, keep devices on silent or airplane mode when possible, and leave drones at home. In most cases, drone use is prohibited on the federal and public lands where we operate.

For multi-day river trips, we provide a small waterproof bag (17” tall x 9” diameter—approximate sealed size) to hold your camera and other items you might need during the day. While these bags are designed to be waterproof, you may wish to place your camera in a zip-lock plastic bag or waterproof casing for additional protection. We also strongly recommend you take out a rider on your homeowner’s policy to cover your camera—especially if it’s fine equipment. Make sure to bring additional memory cards, batteries and any other extras you will need.

We are not able to provide a power source for powering or recharging devices. To keep cameras, phones, GPS, a CPAP and other devices working you may need spare batteries or portable power.

The best portable power options include compact solar panels that can recharge devices directly, portable power banks that store power, or a combo unit that can be charged before the trip and recharged with a built-in solar panel. Solar panels must be designed to withstand outdoor elements and fit in your dry bag (roll-up or no larger than 12” x 12”). Keep in mind direct sunlight in a river canyon may be limited and even non-existent at camp, especially in the mornings and evenings.

If you require the use of a CPAP machine and intend to bring one with you, be sure to alert your OARS Adventure Consultant prior to your trip to let us know the dimensions of the machine, description of battery(s), and any protective case(s). Travel-sized CPAPs are readily available and often come with a battery kit. You must assess the power needs of your CPAP and bring the battery(s) needed to operate it for each night of your travels. We’re able to accommodate the transportation of your machine and accessories on the trip in metal dry boxes or soft dry bags; however, please understand that despite efforts to protect your equipment we can’t guarantee your machine and accessories won’t suffer water or impact damage and therefore we recommend additional protective case(s) for your machine & accessories.