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When swimming in whitewater, there are several things to keep in mind. Floating on your back is a good idea, as is keeping your feet up. However, if you're not sure what to do in such a situation, read on for some tips and tricks. You'll be glad you did!
Floating on your back in dangerous white waters is a life-saving technique, if you get swept out of a raft. You should float on your back while keeping your feet above the surface of the water, arms out to the side, and eyes on the raft. If you feel a rogue wave, you can hold onto a paddle and wait for rescuers to reach you.
Keeping your feet up while swimming in dangerous white water is a good defensive technique, but it may not seem intuitive. It is important to keep your feet up and pointed downstream to reduce the risk of foot entrapment. In this article, we'll outline some of the key tips for defensive swimming. By using a combination of these techniques, you'll be able to stay safe while paddling.
First of all, never put your head or feet in the water unless you're swimming in calm, shallow water. If the water is too deep, your head or foot can become entrapped underneath, making it difficult to free yourself. In this situation, you'll need to swim downstream. Similarly, you shouldn't stand up too far in a fast current. If you fall, you'll have to assume the worst case scenario and adjust accordingly.
Pinching can happen while standing in the water or while boating downstream. The pressure of water on trapped objects is tremendous, and rescue from a pinning situation is difficult. Especially if you don't have a whitewater warning, pinning can occur with fast current. The danger can be particularly high on small, unutilized creeks and wooded riverbanks after high water. Look for bobbing twigs and irregular flow patterns along the river.
People debate whether it's better to float feet first or duck under the wave when encountering a large body of whitewater. The answer may surprise you. Many people are taught to duck under waves or swim head first through large trains of whitewater, but there are many other ways to approach whitewater swimming that have more safety benefits. Here are some of those methods. And remember: you have absolutely no control over the direction of the waves, so either way is dangerous.
Avoiding foot entrapment while swimming in dangerous white water requires constant awareness of the dangers of the water, particularly rapids and boulders. As with any other dangerous situation, it is vital to keep one's feet up and firmly planted. It is particularly important to stay on your feet when falling out of the river. Only put your feet down if the current is calm or you have a good reason for doing so. Always assume the worst, and make assumptions about the force of the current.
First, try to stay on your feet at all times. Your emergency survival instinct may be to stay afloat and maneuver to avoid getting stuck. However, this may cause your foot to be trapped, preventing you from keeping your head above water. In this situation, you can be stranded underwater and unable to breathe or move your head. This is a dangerous situation for both the swimmer and the rescuer.
