Trouble In The Water

Be Safe And Stay Alive August 18, 2010 Reporter: Patrick McMurtry Videographer: Brad Rice

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Summer is a great time to hit the river, but as we've seen in the last week, those hot days can churn up some big time thunderstorms, and that can change a slow moving stream into a gushing river in no time. When that happens, no matter if you're in a boat or wading, things can get dangerous fast.
Larry Case, a conservation officer with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, says safety is key.

"If you are struggling to keep your footing, it is usually best to give it up, pick your feet up and swim. If you're constantly struggling with the marginal footing, you are very much in danger of a foot entrapment, that's when your foot gets caught between two rocks and the water pushing you over, very dangerous!"

And when things get dicey while you're in your canoe or raft, you can wind up in the water.

"If your boat flips, it depends on your skill level, if you are a weak swimmer, you need to have your life jacket on or available, never have it strapped to something inside your boat." says Case.

Either way, Larry says there is one thing you need to carry with you regardless of whether you are wading or boating...something easy to carry and worth its weight in gold.

"Many white water paddlers carry, and they're very handy, a thing called a throw bag. It's simply a length of rope inside a nylon bag and you can take out the first little bit and throw it to a person and with a little bit of practice, you can learn to throw it really well, it's called a throw bag and any paddling sports store sells them." says Case.

So there you have it, a few simple tips that can save your life on the water.

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