While death is the main danger feared in whitewater rafting, far more likely are injuries sustained from smashing, banging, brushing, and smacking up against rocks. These types of occurrences can actually happen while still in the raft. As rafts hit up against boulders and people get thrown about and into them. Also, watch out for those paddles swinging in the raft. Many people have suffered a bloody nose at the hands of their friends flailing paddles.