Personal Hygiene and River Illness How does one keep from getting sick when boating on the river for days at a time? Here are some simple tips that can help keep you healthy. Setting Up the Kitchen Learn some time-tested techniques for setting up a River Kitchen - the center of every successful trip. Food and Hydration Food is your body's primary source of fuel and salts (electrolytes) while experiencing the heat within the Grand Canyon. Eat a salty snack every time you take a drink. Updated 2011.