Some people that go on stag weekends don't come back. Any weekend that involves rafting, shooting, and big vehicles has a chance of causing permanent injury. In order to ensure that you survive, here are some tips.

Make sure that any equipment that you use is equipment that you either know how to use, or training on their use is provided. Too many people assume that experience with similar equipment gives them equivalent experience with the current equipment. Worse, pride sometimes prevents someone from admitting his ignorance. That assumption and the pride can allow someone who shouldn't be operating a potentially hazardous equipment to operate it, possibly causing loss of life or limb.

That assumption and pride can be hazardous in another way as well; insurers have been known to deny claims should a piece of equipment operated by someone ignorant of its use. This means that the person at fault may be responsible for paying any penalties or medical fees instead of the insurer. Thus, always make that you know what you are doing before you do it.

When offered a protection device, take it. Even the Vikings had no problems wearing helmets into battle; you should have no problem wearing one when rocks are involved. Again, pride can cause you to ignore safety devices, so don't let pride get in the way of the keeping you in one piece. Also, make sure that any protective devices are working properly, and that they are being used properly. If you have an office clown, he should be the first person checked out.

Don't forget to get a full exam before going on the stag weekend. You may not be as healthy as you think you are, and hidden conditions, especially if you didn't know that you had the condition in the first place. On trips that have a definite physical component, that hidden condition can be deadly, and put not just you but others in trouble.

Assign two people to be in charge of medical information, and then take pains to keep them ten feet apart. This way you have the information available in case the person that it affects is knocked out, and you have a backup. It may sound silly, but if they are too close, then what happens to your primary person may happen to your backup person, and that's not a good thing.

Also make sure that some of your people have at least rudimentary medical training. Those skills can be an excellent resource should something untoward happen. Local hospitals sometimes give the training for free, and that training should be made available to as many people as possible, as well as re-certification if necessary. Emergency skills are always nice to have in crisis situations. Along those lines, always make sure a first aid kit and a signaling flare are accessible at all times.

Lastly, don't forget to stretch before any strenuous exercise. The stretching gets your muscles warmed up, and keeps them flexible; muscles that aren't as flexible are likely to cause injury, and injuries have a way of getting worse or causing greater problems.

Keep these tips in mind, and your stag weekend should be safe and fun!