Water+safety

outdoors home > hazards

=Water safety =

(this page is for walkers - NOT adequate for canoes/kayaks) (for effects of cold water immersion see the environmental clinical page)

Remember you are at risk if you are near water, not just in it.

Before entering water:
 * always consider other alternatives
 * have spotter upstream
 * have backup downstream

Never tie a rope around you if entering water (quick release mechanism is needed)

Never tension a rope perpendicular to the direction of current (a V may be created trapping someone)

If swept away do noy try to put your feet down - keep them out in front of you. If you put them down they may get trapped under a rock, and current may push the body downstream causing submersion of the head.

[|swiftwater safety] [|defensive swimming] [|self-rescue: swimming]

video showing defensive swimming: media type="custom" key="7952886"

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">where to throw a throw line from <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">media type="youtube" key="Dkg3Os32wl8?fs=1" height="390" width="480"

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">throwing styles <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">media type="youtube" key="YwAFI1GpCSg?fs=1" height="390" width="480"

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">[|River crossings (BMC)] <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">In 3s spin on each person in turn to move across the water (two people keep still and support the person moving) - shown in the photo below.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Larger groups can form a V with the strongest person at the apex all facing upstream and supporting the person in front. The person at the apex should be the strongest in the group and should have a pole to aid their balance. If there is a weaker or injured member in the group they should go in the centre of the V, turning it into a wedge.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Pairs face each other, holding onto the other's shoulders, and crab across sideways - take care not to head butt each other.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Do not cross on a bend - the water may be deeper than it appears on the outer bend. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Do not cross upstram of hazards such as water falls or large fallen trees and check for hazards upstream of your position (e.g. canoes). <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Water that is knee-deep can knock you over.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">The river bed is likely to be slippery - keep boots on. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">If you use trekking poles, take wrists out of loops. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Ensure all spare clothes/valuables are in a closed rucksack liner and that waist and sternal straps of rucksack are undone. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Do not tie onto rope.