How to enjoy and survive tubing trip down Edisto River

During the warmer months (OK, to be more realistic, humid, sticky, hot months) in Charleston, there is a seemingly never-ending list of water-related things to do to keep cool. From paddle-boarding to surfing and simply lying out on the beach, the possibilities are endless.

But a somewhat hidden gem of an activity lies just 45 minutes away from downtown Charleston. Tubing down the Edisto River has become a pastime that attracts hundreds of people each weekend during South Carolina's summer months. However, planning a trip takes more than jumping in a tube and floating.

Herein lies the key to a successful day in the river:

No. 1: Check the weather. Although the odds of a person getting struck by lightening are 1 in 500,000 (thank you, Wikipedia), it would really stink to be that 500,000th person. And it's fairly possible that the odds increase when you are sitting in water for three to six hours. Although overhearing a person say, "We are sitting in rubber tubes which grounds us, right?" may be comforting, it is terribly inaccurate. Floating in lightning is dangerous, and when it rains, it's cold. Stick to planning your trips on sunny weekends.

No. 2: Don't procrastinate when buying a floatation device. There are a number of stores that sell pool floats from Dick's Sporting Goods ($25 to $150) to Walmart ($10 to $75) and Target ($10 to $75). The most reliable floats can be bought at Hays Tire, where for around $20 you can buy the inside of a truck tire. However, unless you want to float down the river with a pair of swimmies on each arm and a pool noodle between your legs, make sure not to wait until 9:45 the night before the trip to buy the goods.

No. 3: Make sure you know where to start and finish, as the Edisto River is 206 miles long. Many floaters start at Givhan's Ferry State Park in Ridgeville. Admission to the park is $2 a person. For pickup, many floaters leave a car at Messervy Landing, which can be accessed off Boat Landing Road 10 minutes down the road from Givhans Ferry State Park.

No. 4: Leave your valuables at home. AAA can't break in to luxury vehicles, and most companies will not replace your electronics if water damage is involved (not that this has happened). If you can't easily replace an item that you bring down the river (car keys, electronics, small children, etc.), don't bring them. The Edisto is a blackwater river, which is exactly what it sounds like. You will not be able to see anything that sinks to the bottom.

No. 5: BYOB and S and F. Boozing on the river is permitted, but make sure to have your drinks in a cooler or you could face a fine of $250 a brew. Oh, yeah, sunscreen and food are a pretty good idea, too. And make sure to bring a bag for your trash.

With Charleston's warmer days usually extending into mid-October, you have two more months of warm-weather weekends left to plan your trip. So what will you be doing this weekend?