Safety at Vortexhave fun. be smart. get home safe.
Natural water, trails, wildlife, vehicles and Florida weather. A little good judgment keeps 520 acres safe for everyone.
Your safety comes first
We want you to have an incredible experience — but your safety, and the safety of your family and fellow guests, always comes first.
Our property is a large outdoor recreational destination with natural water, trails, wildlife, vehicles, equipment, animals, changing weather and other inherent risks. Please use good judgment, know your limits, follow the rules and listen to our team.
When in doubt, ask. Our employees are here to help. If you see something unsafe, have a question, or aren’t sure whether something is permitted, please ask a Vortex team member before proceeding. Guests are required to follow reasonable instructions from Vortex Spring Adventures employees, lifeguards, dive staff, security personnel, maintenance personnel and emergency responders.
The spring is a natural body of water
Conditions can vary. The water is approximately 68°F year-round — cold water can affect your breathing, coordination, strength and ability to remain safe.
In and around the water
- Swim only in designated areas.
- Follow all posted signs and barriers.
- Follow lifeguard and staff instructions.
- Never dive or jump from unauthorized locations.
- Never swim alone.
- Know your swimming ability and stay within your limits.
- Children must be actively supervised by a responsible adult.
- Use approved flotation devices where permitted.
- Do not enter the water if you are impaired by alcohol, drugs or medication that affects your ability to safely participate.
- Exit the water immediately when instructed by staff.
- Report hazards or emergencies to staff immediately.
Diving safety
- Meet applicable certification requirements.
- Follow all dive-shop rules.
- Follow posted depth and access restrictions.
- Use appropriate equipment.
- Follow buddy and dive-safety procedures.
- Follow staff instructions.
- Check conditions before entering the water.
- Never dive beyond your training or experience.
- Never dive while impaired.
Scuba diving is an inherently hazardous recreational activity and should only be performed by properly trained and qualified divers. Additional diving rules and a separate diving waiver may apply — questions to dive@vortexspring.com.
ATV, SXS and horseback safety
ATV / SXS trail safety
- Check current trail conditions and hours.
- Stay on designated trails.
- Follow posted speed limits.
- Wear required safety equipment.
- Remain in designated seating positions.
- Wear seat belts in vehicles equipped with them.
- Never operate while impaired.
- Never race or operate recklessly.
- Give appropriate consideration to other trail users.
- Stop when instructed by Vortex staff.
- Never enter a closed trail.
Horseback riding safety
- Use appropriate tack and equipment.
- Wear appropriate footwear.
- Wear a properly fitted riding helmet.
- Stay on designated equestrian trails.
- Maintain control of your horse.
- Ride at a safe speed.
- Give other trail users appropriate space.
- Never intentionally frighten or interfere with another horse or rider.
- Follow posted trail hours.
- Follow all Vortex staff instructions.
Trail closures
- Severe weather
- Mud or unsafe conditions
- Fire danger
- Maintenance
- Special events
- Property conditions
- Safety concerns
Do not go around gates, barricades or closure signs.
Florida changes fast
Florida heat & sun
- Drink plenty of water.
- Take regular breaks.
- Use sunscreen.
- Wear appropriate clothing.
- Seek shade when possible.
- Watch children closely.
- Watch for signs of heat exhaustion or heat-related illness.
Weather & lightning
- Follow staff instructions immediately.
- Do not remain in the water during lightning or severe weather.
- Activities may resume only when conditions are determined to be safe.
- Areas may be closed or restricted when weather creates unsafe conditions.
If you feel weak, dizzy, confused, nauseated or unusually tired, stop your activity and seek help.
At your campsite
Camping safety
- Keep walkways clear.
- Properly secure tents, awnings and outdoor equipment.
- Keep children supervised.
- Keep food and trash secured.
- Follow all fire restrictions.
- Never leave a campfire unattended.
- Properly extinguish fires.
- Operate generators and other equipment according to applicable rules.
- Report electrical, plumbing, structural or other hazards to management.
Fire safety — never
- Leave a fire unattended.
- Burn prohibited materials.
- Move a fire outside an approved area.
- Build fires during a fire restriction.
- Allow children to play near an unattended fire.
Children should never be left unattended near
- The spring
- Swimming areas
- Roads
- Trails
- Vehicles
- Campsites
- Fire
- Equipment
- Animals
Guests bringing animals onto the property are responsible for their animals at all times. Keep animals properly restrained where required, and do not allow animals to approach unfamiliar guests, children, horses or other animals without appropriate control.
If it’s marked closed, stay out
Do not enter
- Closed trails
- Barricaded areas
- Restricted work areas
- Maintenance areas
- Authorized-personnel-only areas
- Closed water areas
- Areas marked with warning or closure signs
Impairment
- Participation in recreational activities while impaired by alcohol, drugs or any substance that affects coordination, judgment, awareness or physical ability is prohibited.
- Vortex Spring Adventures reserves the right to restrict participation or remove individuals from activities or the property when necessary for safety.
Call 911, then find a team member
If you see an emergency, call 911 when appropriate. Then immediately notify the nearest Vortex Spring Adventures employee.
When reporting an emergency, provide:
- Your location
- What happened
- Number of people involved
- Any known injuries
- Any immediate hazards
Do not put yourself in danger attempting a rescue. Follow directions from emergency responders and Vortex staff.
First aid
If you need assistance, notify a Vortex Spring Adventures team member. For serious or life-threatening emergencies, call 911 immediately — do not delay emergency medical care while attempting to locate a Vortex employee.
Don’t take the risk. Ask our team.
Every guest is responsible for making reasonable decisions about whether an activity is appropriate for them. Never participate beyond your training, experience, physical ability or comfort level.
When a Vortex Spring Adventures employee instructs you to stop an activity, leave an area, slow down or follow a safety procedure — stop and follow the instruction.
Failure to follow safety instructions may result in removal from an activity or the property.
We’re all in this together
Watch out for yourself.
Watch out for your family.
Watch out for your fellow guests.
Respect the property. Respect the rules. Respect the environment.
Safety rules and operating procedures may change based on current conditions, applicable law and management direction. Always follow the most current posted rules and instructions from Vortex Spring Adventures staff.
Questions before you come?
Call the front desk and we’ll walk you through it.