The upper Kern tends to be wilder. The Forks of the Kern is the wildest available. In addition, expect rafting companies to solicit tips for their underpaid guides. You're going to get big-time wet. If that prospect absolutely scares you witless, don't go rafting.
People fall in all the time.
Life jackets are mandatory and the rafting companies make all rafters sit through a lengthy safety lecture before the day begins. None of the companies has lost a customer yet. The one thing you should bring, however, are Velcro-strapped rafting sandals, which are designed to come off of feet in strong current, preventing feet from getting stuck in between rocks on the river's bottom. Buffy didn't seem too concerned. Steve did, hoping to steer the boat right, around the worst of them.