During peak runoff season, high water can be attractive — especially for kids. But it only takes a second of turning your back for a loved one to fall in the water. With Memorial Day weekend coming up, many families will choose to recreating near Utah’s many rivers and streams, which are currently flowing at higher than normal levels.
The Utah Department of Natural Resources worked with the Unified Fire Authority to develop a list of tips on how to stay safe around rushing rivers and streams and what to do if someone falls in.
How to stay safe when recreating near rivers
- Avoid recreating close to rivers and streams. If possible, find another campground or picnic area. The most important priority is to keep yourself and your loved ones out of the water.
- Make sure you and your children are wearing a life jacket at all times in case of emergency. Type III Personal Flotation Devices (PFD’s) are ideal in fast moving waters. Type V PFD’s are the best for kids because they will turn someone who is lying on their stomach face up.
- Educate yourself and your children about the dangers. Make sure your child understands that conditions are not appropriate for swimming. The flow of a river is measured in cubic feet per second, or cfs. One cfs equates to the size of one basketball. If a river was flowing at 1,000 cfs, that would be equivalent to 1,000 basketball sized pockets of water flowing by every second. Since the rushing water comes from snow melt and is extremely cold, it only takes minutes for hypothermia to set in.
- Keep children busy and occupied. If you are setting up camp or a picnic, bring a card game or other distractions for your kids to play with while you are setting up. This will keep them entertained.
- Constantly keep an eye on your child while around. If possible, create a barrier by standing or working between the river and your child.
- Keep your dog on a leash. If your dog does end up jumping into the water, do not go in after it. Keep in mind that dogs are great swimmers and most likely will be flushed out safely at the bottom of the river.
What to do if someone falls in
- Do not immediately jump in the river after them. Stay calm and call 911. Getting a trained swiftwater rescue team on site is critical. Since you may be in an isolated location, designate someone to be on the phone and bring the rescuers to your exact location.
- Reach, throw, go! This is the standard you should follow when someone has fallen into the water. First, if you can reach someone who has fallen with your arm and pull them out, do so. If not, try to throw a rope or a large stick into the water so they can grab onto it and be pulled out. Jumping into the water after them should only be the last effort.
- If you have fallen in, assume the whitewater swimming position: a technique where you float on your back with your head above the water and feet facing downstream. If your feet are out in front of you, you can fend off debris and other objects. (Note: this technique is only successful when wearing a life jacket).
- When approaching a strainer (sticks, logs and other debris grouped together) swim at the strainer with your head forward and crawl on top of the debris.
Several swiftwater training courses are available to learn more about these techniques. Stay safe this Memorial Day weekend!