Water Safety

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By Sofia Baum



Water safety is extremely important to know in order to keep our communities safe, healthy, and informed. This blog post covers topics specific to whitewater/ rivers. These six tips will help build up your water safety skills:

  • Always wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) or Life Jacket when in and around water:
    • Have someone with your PFD. This means that they ensure all of the zippers are zipped, buckles are bucked, and straps are tightened to fit your body. Do the same for them. 
    • Check if your PFD is snug by having your partner lift your shoulder straps upward. If your PFD is snug it will not lift above your ears. If it does lift above your ears continue adjusting.
    • We need our PFDs to be snug in order for them to be effective, otherwise they can float above our heads and/ or we can slip out of them. 
  • Do not consume alcohol or other drugs while in or around water. If you end up in the water you will need to be sober and alter in order to self-rescue and/ or listen to the instructions of the rescuer(s).
  • If you end up in the river- either by falling out of a boat, raft, kayak, or from the shore- do the following: 
    • BREATH. The water will likely be cold and a shock to your system. Breathing will help you collect yourself and figure out what to do next.
    • DO NOT STAND UP in the river. If you stand up you could cause a potential foot entrapment where your foot gets stuck or trapped on the river's floor. When your foot is trapped your body is still moving forward. The current is pushing at your back, forcing your head down into the water, and blocking your airway. This is a very dangerous position to be in. Again, DO NOT STAND UP. 
    • Get into the defensive swimming position first. In the defensive swimming position you are facing downstream, your feet are up ready to push off any rocks, your head is up out of the water, your arms are to your sides steering you. You will likely get splashed in the face. Grab breaths of air when available. 
    • Get into the aggressive swimming position second. In the aggressive swimming position you are on your belly giving big, powerful strokes and kicks. You will need to swim upstream at a 45 degree angle. Your goal is to swim toward calm water such as an eddy or the shore.  
    • Remember "swim until you can crawl and crawl until you can stand."

To learn more please check out Wild Diversity's River Features and Water Safety Video 

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