River Rescue Teams Train for Summer Months

Rescue teams from the Columbia-Richland Fire Department are preparing for the summer months when Midlands residents spend more time on the rivers. 

Swift water rescue teams trained on the Saluda River Wednesday near . 

“As warm weather approaches and activity on and around the rivers in the Midlands increases we want to encourage visitors to be safe as they enjoy all the recreational activities that the rivers offer," Chief Aubrey Jenkins said.

The number of water rescue calls the fire department has responded to has decreased over the last three years from 59 in 2009 to 42 in 2011, Jenkins said. 

The decrease is due in part to groups like The River Alliance, SCE&G and Riverbanks Zoo bringing awareness to river safety, Jenkins said. 

The fire department encourages river-goers to follow these safety tips this summer: 

• Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. This includes adults and children.
• Never swim or boat alone.
• Tell someone where you are going, when you expect to return and where to call if you don't.
• Wear a properly fitted Personal Flotation Device (PFD) at all times when you are in or near the river.
• Be prepared for extremes in weather. Know early signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and dehydration in hot weather.
• Reduce threat of injury by wearing protective footwear and proper clothing.
• Fish, swim or wade below dams only during low-flow periods.
• Be aware of your surroundings and plan a quick exit from the water to the nearest bank in case of an emergency.
• Move to a safer area immediately if a siren sounds or strobe lights flash or if you simply notice the river level rising.
• Carry a first aid kit and know how to use it. Take a cell phone in case of emergency.
• Be sure to take water or thirst-quenching drinks. Try to avoid beer and soft drinks as they tend to dehydrate the body and alcohol impairs judgment.
• Be sure your boating skills and experience are equal to the river and the conditions.
• Don't litter.

If you are caught in surging water: 

• Drop any items that can weigh you down.
• Stay calm, lie on your back and keep your feet up and pointed downstream to avoid rocks and foot entrapment.
• Swim on your back with the current and then diagonally across the stream until you each the shore. Do not attempt to stand up until you are in shallow, slow-moving water. 
• If you get trapped on an island, stay there and signal for help.