Unusually dangerous start on the water this year
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YAKIMA, Wash. -- Ryan Klang knows how deadly the water can be. His cousin drowned in a river accident several years ago.
"It's devastating to a family, for a drowning, ya know," Ryan said.
Since then, Ryan says he plays it safe near the water. He goes fishing with his children almost every day
"Life vests if we're out on the boats and really just pay attention to what's going on. Ya know, if you're around the fast flowing water you really need to watch," Ryan said.
Yakima County Search and Rescue crews say they've seen a spike in water rescue calls. In each of the last two years, they only received one call by July First. This year that's jumped to eight.
Rescuers say if you unexpectedly end up in fast moving water, the best thing to do is to lie flat on your back with your feet in front of you.
That way you stay on the surface of the water, you can see what's
ahead of you, and you can use your feet to defend yourself from debris.
Lieutenant Brian Winter says he can't say why there are more cases.
However, Borough of Reclamation officials say river levels are unusually high for this time of year. They point to a cool, wet spring and summer.
"People that just don't plan ahead, don't have any plan for what to do if they get in trouble, are often the people that we end up having to rescue," Brian said.
Preparing for the worst. Perhaps the best way to avoid disaster.
"It's devastating to a family, for a drowning, ya know," Ryan said.
Since then, Ryan says he plays it safe near the water. He goes fishing with his children almost every day
"Life vests if we're out on the boats and really just pay attention to what's going on. Ya know, if you're around the fast flowing water you really need to watch," Ryan said.
Yakima County Search and Rescue crews say they've seen a spike in water rescue calls. In each of the last two years, they only received one call by July First. This year that's jumped to eight.
Rescuers say if you unexpectedly end up in fast moving water, the best thing to do is to lie flat on your back with your feet in front of you.
That way you stay on the surface of the water, you can see what's
ahead of you, and you can use your feet to defend yourself from debris.
Lieutenant Brian Winter says he can't say why there are more cases.
However, Borough of Reclamation officials say river levels are unusually high for this time of year. They point to a cool, wet spring and summer.
"People that just don't plan ahead, don't have any plan for what to do if they get in trouble, are often the people that we end up having to rescue," Brian said.
Preparing for the worst. Perhaps the best way to avoid disaster.
