Monitoring Monday - Swift Water Safety
Join us Mondays as the Clean Water Team shares information and resources on water quality monitoring. This Monday we will look at swift water safety.
 As the weather warms up following a record snowpack in the mountains, many local lakes, river and streams could see above average water levels this spring and summer.
The water is colder, deeper, and moving water is deceptively strong and fast. Even in bodies of water that appear to be very shallow, the current of swift moving water can cause someone to lose their footing and take an unexpected fall. It is very easy to slip and fall or to get your foot trapped by rocks or debris in the water.
It’s best to stay away from swift water but if you are going near rivers this summer, taking a few steps now to prepare can help ensure you and your water quality monitors remain safe.
Here are some safety tips to keep in mind.
- Always use caution along all riverbanks and the shoulder of all lakes and streams.
- Wear a properly fitted Personal Flotation Device (PFD) at all times when you are near moving water.
- Don't try to wade, swim, or dip your feet into the moving water. Just six inches of fast-moving water can knock you off your feet, and a depth of two feet will float your car.
- Never try to walk, swim or drive through swift water.
- Subsurface hazards can be deadly. Often, fast moving water is dirty with poor visibility. Foot entrapments are a high hazard if feet are put down on unstable rocks in fast moving water.
- Water temperatures are cold enough that after 4-5 minutes your hands stop working effectively. If you fall into water, try to get out as soon as possible to prevent hypothermia.
- If you do fall into swift moving water, float on your back with your head above water back, keep your feet pointed downstream to push off obstacles. Let the current carry you to shore.
- Do not attempt to drive over flooded water. STOP! Turn Around, Don’t Drown!
Safety Checklist
- Check current water levels and weather conditions.
- Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.
- Work in teams and never alone.
- Be prepared for extremes in weather, especially cold. Know about the dangers of hypothermia and how to deal with it.
- Take a first aid kit and whitewater rescue gear and know how to use them.
References:
Current Conditions for California: Streamflow (United States Geological Survey - USGS) https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ca/nwis/current/?type=flow
Current River Conditions (California Data Exchange Center – CEDEC) https://cdec.water.ca.gov/river/rivcond.html
Determining Onsite Safe Wading Conditions (Video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbyyHEHrLdg
Go For a Swim in The Park (National Park Service) https://www.nps.gov/articles/swimming-safety.htm
Employer Guide for Safe Work Near Moving Water https://www.ravenrsm.com/knowledge-hub/blog/employer-guide-for-safe-work-near-moving-water/
How to Choose PFDs (Personal Flotation Device)
https://www.dco.uscg.mil/CG-ENG-4/PFDSel/
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/personal-flotation-device.html
https://www.hatchmag.com/articles/fishing-pfds-life-savers-part-1/7714848
https://www.hatchmag.com/articles/fishing-pfds-life-savers-part-2/7714851
How to Use a Water Rescue Throw Bag (Video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EU7dOF1NEs
Lake and River Swimming Safety (American Red Cross) https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/water-safety/lake-river-safety.html
OSHA Compliance on Sites Near Water (Not an OSHA Website) https://www.ngwa.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/membership/resources/osha-compliance-on-sites-near-water.pdf
National Weather Service - Water - River Forecast Center https://water.weather.gov/ahps/region.php?rfc=cnrfc
Public Safety Around Dams https://damsafety.org/public-safety
Swift Water Safety (National Park Service - NPS) www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/swift-water-safety.htm
Swift Water Safety: Take Precautions to Keep Your Family Safe Near Local Waterways https://news.caloes.ca.gov/swift-water-safety-take-precautions-to-keep-your-family-safe-near-local-waterways/
Swiftwater Swim Tactics (Video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PwEgfX5W2A
Swiftwater/Flood Search and Rescue Recommended Training, Skills, And Equipment List (California Governor's Office of Emergency Services- CalOES) https://www.caloes.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/Fire-Rescue/Documents/Special-Ops-Advisory-1_Swiftwater-Rescue-OSD_Approval-by-FIRESCOPE-BoD_02_13_2023.pdf
Swiftwater, Flood, Surface Water and River Rescue Courses https://sierrarescue.com/course-info/swiftwater-rescue-courses/
Swimming Safely at the Beach (American Red Cross) https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/water-safety/beach-safety.html
Water Safety (United States Forest Service - USFS) https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/know-before-you-go/water-safety
Water Safety (American Red Cross) https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/water-safety.html
Work Over or Near Water (California Department of Industrial Relations - CDIR) https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/1602.html
Working Over or Near Water (Occupational Safety and Health Administration - OSHA) https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.106
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this message are for general informational purposes only. The information about providers and services contained on this website does not constitute endorsement or recommendation.
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