Cold, Swift Moving Truckee River Water Can Be Deadly
Source: City of Reno
May 26, 2008 - 1:42:59 PM
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The Reno Fire Department's Water Entry Team rescued a rafter from the cold water of the Truckee River Monday and is urging those who use the river to be cautious of cold, swift moving water.
The warm spring weather over the past few days may have people thinking about
family outings along the Truckee River. And while the riverbanks can be a
beautiful setting for those outings, they could turn deadly for anyone who
ventures into or falls into the cold water of the river, warns Reno Fire
Department Battalion Chief Joe DuRousseau who responded with the Fire
Department’s Water Entry Team (WET) on the rescue of a woman from the Truckee
River this afternoon.
Reno firefighters on the WET team responded to an
area along the River near 4th Street and McCarran Boulevard at about 2:09 p.m.
on a report of a woman in the river, with other units responding along the river
to establish points at which the victim could be recovered downstream if
necessary. Reno firefighters treated her for the effects of being in the cold
water including an altered level of consciousness, while waiting for a REMSA
ambulance which transported her to Renown Hospital. According to DuRousseau, the
woman was rafting with five other people when she ended up in the cold water of
the Truckee River. All of those rafting with her have been accounted for, he
said.
DuRousseau pointed out that while the Truckee River is a great
resource for rafting, fishing and other recreation activities, the snowmelt
runoff period makes the river and its banks treacherous and deadly.
Warmer temperatures are causing melting of higher altitude snows
creating of high and swift water flows, says DuRousseau. The swift water flow
can carry a person away quickly, and the temperature of the water will quickly
lead to hypothermia which can incapacitate anyone who ventures into or falls
into the river overcoming their swimming skills and ultimately lead to drowning.
Hypothermia occurs when the body’s core temperature is dramatically lowered.
Among other results, there is a loss of strength and muscular coordination as
well as mental confusion and often erratic behavior.
The Reno Fire
Department’s WET team is urging the public to take the following precautions:
· Do not enter or allow others to enter the Truckee River during peak
runoff flow periods when people can be quickly overwhelmed by the power of the
river, placing themselves and rescuers in danger.
· Avoid prolonged
exposure to the cold water of the river which can lead to hypothermia.
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Make sure children are under constant supervision and keep them away from the
riverbank where they can easily fall into the river, or where riverbank erosion
can result in the bank caving into the river.
· Never allow children to
enter the water alone, be aware of the cold water conditions which can quickly
affect children, and make sure children wear personal floatation devices if they
are allowed to enter the water.
· All pedestrians, including joggers and
walkers, should stay on established pathways and trails and away from the edge
of the riverbank.
· If you do fall in, do not attempt to stand up. A leg
or ankle can easily become caught in underwater rocks or debris, and the force
of the water can push you over and hold you under. Attempt to lay on your back
with your feet pointing downriver and toes up towards the surface so you can
push off rocks with your feet and attempt to maneuver to the edge of the river.
· If you see someone fall into the river, immediately call 9-1-1. DO NOT
attempt a rescue by entering the water. A rope or flotation device such as an
inflated toy or sports ball, or even a Styrofoam ice chest can be thrown to the
victim to assist them.
· Boaters, rafters and kayakers are encouraged to
thoroughly check the condition of the river including temperature and flows
before entering the river. And all boaters, rafters and kayakers should wear
helmets, appropriate exposures suits and approved personal flotation devices.
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