NEWS RELEASE
PUBLIC INFORMATION SECTION, P.O. Box 1368, Jefferson City, MO 65102
| For further information contact: | Lieutenant Ralph L. Bledsoe Public Information Director Phone: (573) 751-3333 E-mail: Ralph.Bledsoe@mswp.dps.mo.gov |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jefferson City
Are The Rivers Safe?
In recent weeks, the Missouri State Water Patrol has had the grim task of recovering victims who have drowned in our river waterways. Recently on the Meramec River, the death of five children at Castlewood State Park in St. Louis and the drowning of an elderly fisherman in Crawford County have many people wondering if the rivers are really safe. Is the Meramec River especially dangerous or do all the rivers in Missouri pose a significant threat to recreational boaters and water enthusiasts? Let's look at some statistics to answer this question.
The Missouri State Water Patrol has investigated 141 drownings on Missouri rivers over the last 10 years. Of that total number, 23 drownings occurred on the Meramec River during the same time period. Only sixteen percent of all river drownings happened on the Meramec River. This percentage does not seem to be disproportionate considering the heavy public usage and overall length of the river. This would indicate the Meramec River is no more dangerous to the public than any of the other float streams that are extensively used by river enthusiasts. Any river can be equally dangerous if safety is not a priority. The most alarming fact of this analysis deals with life jacket usage. In every river drowning fatality except one, the victim was not wearing a life jacket. Who knows how many more lives could have been saved had the remaining 140 victims been wearing a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) at the time! Another interesting statistic relates to the victim's use of alcohol prior to drowning. Of the total drownings within this 10 year period, alcohol was a confirmed contributing factor in the death of the victims in 42% of the cases. This does not include the situations in which the prior alcohol use was listed as unknown. Obviously, there are measures a person can take to make their river excursion much safer.
What are the causes for people drowning in our rivers? There are various reasons people drown on the river, but the foremost cause is the victim is swept away in strong current. The streambeds may be slippery due to rock bottoms or mud banks. The depth of the water can vary greatly with each step and the current tends to hide this danger. Often the person either loses their footing or falls out of the boat into the current and is almost immediately pulled under. If they survive the initial submersion, they can be carried downstream into deeper water or become submerged in a "strainer". A "strainer" is brush, fallen trees, bridge pilings, undercut rocks or anything else that allows the river to pass through but can trap boats and boaters against the obstacle. Water pressure on anything trapped this way can be overwhelming. Rescue is often extremely difficult. Depending upon the depth of the water, many of these obstacles may be completely hidden underwater. Be cautious when wading in rivers. The current tends to run more swiftly towards the center of the channel and flowing water will pick up velocity as the river narrows or becomes more shallow.
The second most often listed cause of river drownings is poor swimming ability coupled with fatigue and exhaustion. In all the recorded drownings, well over half of the victims were listed as experienced swimmers. Struggling against a swift current quickly tires a person no matter how good their swimming ability may be. Trying to swim into a current exposes your face to the pressures of the water and will exhaust your energy quickly. The current can also mask other dangers from which a victim would find it difficult to escape. Holes, hidden or visible, are dangerous and should be approached with extreme caution. When water drops over an obstacle, it curls back on itself, forming a strong upstream current that is capable of holding a person within its "hydraulics". Some holes are great sport for rafters but can be deadly for unprepared swimmers. "Hydraulics" around man-made dams must be treated with utmost respect regardless of their height or level of the river. Despite their seemingly benign appearance, they can create an almost escape-proof trap.
Tips for River Safety
· Wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket at all times. Even gentle stretches of water can have unseen undercurrents. Trying to fight a swift current will exhaust swimmers of every ability.
· Scout the river section you intend to float. Be familiar with the river and its individual characteristics. Make a rescue plan if necessary.
· Learn to recognize river hazards such as strainers, dams with reverse hydraulics, boulders, barb wire across the river, eddies, etc.
· Know your limits and do not attempt a section of river beyond your skill level.
· Do not paddle or attempt to cross rivers in flood stage or after a heavy rain. Currents can become very swift, even in a normally shallow river.
· If you capsize, hold onto your craft and move immediately to the upstream side to avoid being trapped between the boat and an obstacle. Float on your back, feet together and pointed downstream. Gradually work your way to the shore. Release your craft only if it improves your safety.
· Tie all your gear into the boat, but never yourself, children or pets. Do not stand up in swift water (feet can get caught in rocks) but swim at a 90o angle to the shore.
· Carry the proper equipment including dry clothing and a first aid kit. Store all extra gear in a secure watertight container.
· Stay sober. Alcohol and drugs affect balance, judgement, coordination, swimming skills, and the body's ability to stay warm.
· Look for the dangerous "too's" - too tired, too drunk, too much sun, too far from safety, too much strenuous activity.
· Learn basic water rescue techniques. When attempting a rescue, remember the adage of "Reach - Throw - Row - Go for Help". Unprepared rescuers run the risk of being caught in the same dangerous situation and can become a victim themselves. If you have to go after someone in the water, always put on a life jacket first.
News Release ID: N07060109
Release Date: 20060728
