On the South Fk American last weekend a 13 year old was bounced out of her raft and drowned from a foot entrapment.  Because of this, I had a discussion with our outfitter/guide for our upcoming trip on the S. Fk with our 8 and 12 year old about whether or not to rig chicken straps on the thwarts. We have enough adult paddlers that we don't need the kids for propulsion and especially for the 8 year old, I thought maybe we'd have him hold the chicken strap in stuff like Meatgrinder, Troublemaker, Fowler's, etc.  The outfitter said he'd put them on if I requested it but said he's ambivalent about chickent straps because while they can help one stay in the boat in bounce out situation, he worries about the loops snagging a limb in a flip. He said the kids can just move in off the tubes to the floor for more security in the bigger rapids or rapids that don't wash out into a pool.

What are the thoughts with you all around here.  Chicken straps for kids or not?

thanks

Kurt