To send or not to send By: Emmett Jaynes

When faced with a difficult decision to run a challenging rapid one would have to look over all the consequences and or the risks  when analyzing a rapid. Some of the things that I like to consider are the following:

Hazards: When one is looking over a river they need to pay attention to all the hazards like boils, whirlpools, rocks, and shallow areas. These are all put in to perspective to come to a final decision of if the rapid is safe or not, and where the best line will be to avoid any hazards. 
Safty: Scouting a river is not always to look for hazards it is also good to find areas to set up safty when needed, or find fun lines to try. When looking for a place to set up safety, one would look for an eddy or an open area where there is good footing and a safe area for you to be in and so you can help a person who is in need. It is important to find a spot that doesn't put you in any danger.

Physical abilities: One you look over the rapid, ask myself if they are physicaly able to run the rapid. if you are confident in running the rapid ask yourself if have taken over all the risk you would normally think you can do it.

Can you send it or not: if you are completly confident and you have thought of all the possible ways your run could roll out to be, then by all means SEND IT.
If the Rapid is a bit out of your confort zone:  I myself would still think even if the rapid is so far the hardest you might ever do, you need to push your limits to progress yourself in the kayaking world, you need to challenge your self by doing things you would not think of ever doing, but you want to do it safely.