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Crossing rivers or
lakes can be risky. Waters that seem still could
have strong currents and shallow waters could
suddenly turn out to be quite deep. Assessing
the situation is step one. Knowing how to deal
with possible water dangers is step two. In this
section we will give some guidelines on crossing
rivers and lakes and how to deal with Water
Hazards.
If you can avoid river wading and especially
swimming then do so! If there is a bridge 1 mile
along the river then detour and take the bridge.
Safety always comes first!
In general you should try to remain calm when
anything happens to you and you end up in the
water. Frantic swimming will exert you quickly.
Try to remain calm and float as you assess your
situation and try to come up with a solution.
Should you be
swept away when crossing a river and the river
is filled with obstacles like rocks and logs
then the safest position is to float on your
back with your legs in front of you to absorb
any bumps while using your arms to push away
obstacles and steer.
If a team mate
fall into the water, try using rope or sticks to
try and get him/her back to shore. Keep the rope
flexible and do not tie it to a tree or other
obstacle. A strong current might drag the victim
under with no slack to submerge again.
Stream &
River Wading
- Smaller
rivers often have boulders. Try finding a
place where you would be able to cross the
river by using these boulders as stepping
stones. Extend your hiking poles so you can
plant them in the water for balance. If you
do not have hiking poles with you find a
large stick. Go from boulder to boulder
planting the ball of your feet on the summit
of each boulder. Wet rocks, especially those
overgrown with mosses, can be very slippery
so go slow and plan your moves.
- Always walk
along the river bank and find a good place
to cross. Do not try to find the place where
the river is narrowest. Often the wider
parts of the river have slower currents and
shallower waters. Look for boulders that
either provide a path or at least slow down
the current and provide easy surfaces of
deposited gravel behind them. Choose a route
that offers safe passage on the way to the
other site and a route that is
back-trackable should things get rougher.
- If you have
to wade through the river then assess the
river bottom surface. Only go in with bare
feet if you are sure that there is no chance
of cuts or serious scrapes. If you go bare
feet then put your sock in your boots and
put them in your backpack and use your
backpack's splash cover. If your backpack is
full then tie the laces together and hang
them on your backpack. If you brought a pair
of sandals then now would be the great
opportunity to use them.
- You can
assess the current of a flowing river by
throwing a stick or other floating object in
the water. You will be surprised how
seemingly calm rivers can still have a
strong current. In stronger currents plan a
route that angles down and across the
current of the river.
- Undo the
waist belt of your backpack! Should you fall
your backpack could drag you down and
seriously constraint your movement. With
your waist belt undone you will be able to
easily slip out of your backpack should you
get dragged away.
>> More Hiking
tips
•
Hiking in Vietnam
•
Minimizing your pack
•
Walking speed
•
Good walking rhythm
•
Resting and hiking rest intervals
•
River and water crossing in hiking
•
About the foot, foot wear and shock
•
Choosing the right foot wear
• Lacing
techniques |
