For immediate release: May 15, 2008 (08-075)

Contacts:
Gary Fraser, Water Recreation Program 360-236-3073
Gordon MacCracken, Communications Office 360-236-4072

OLYMPIA ¾ With temperatures expected to climb above the 90-degree mark during the next several days, Washington health officials are urging people to be cautious in and around streams that may become swollen with melting snow.

Concerns are particularly great for streams in central and eastern Washington, where temperatures are forecast to be the warmest, and where mountains and other high points are still snowy following heavy winter storms and a cool spring. Weekend highs are predicted to reach 97 degrees at Yakima, 93 at Wenatchee and 92 at Spokane.

The state Department of Transportation lists the Naches, Yakima, Methow, Stehekin, Spokane, and Teanaway rivers as streams that may threaten nearby highways (www.wsdot.wa.gov/news/). With that in mind, public health officials remind people to be careful both in and on the water, on those streams and on other bodies of water.

“With the heavy snowpack and rivers running high and cold, it’s important that anyone swimming, wading, or rafting at this time of year watch out for signs of hypothermia,” said Gary Fraser from the Water Recreation Program at state Department of Health. “And if rivers and creeks get swollen with high runoff, rafters, boaters, anglers, and inner-tubers can get in trouble with the fast water and hidden underwater hazards.”

Fraser said leading factors for Washington river submersions (drownings and near-drownings) in 2007 were swift water, trees and strainers (such as fallen logs), and cold water. Top factor for watercraft submersions was swift current, followed by logs and strainers.

Thirty-seven percent of Washington’s 2007 submersions took place in rivers and creeks, Fraser added. That percentage rose slightly each year from 2005 through 2007.

Hypothermia can occur quickly in very cold water. In water that is 32.5 degrees – just above the freezing mark – unconsciousness may occur in as little as 15 minutes, and death may take place within 15 to 45 minutes. When the water is just a little warmer, between 32.5 and 40 degrees, people may lose consciousness in 15 to 30 minutes and die within 30 to 90 minutes, according to figures from the U.S. Power Squadrons.

Boaters are urged not to overload their craft, and to remember that too often the life jackets are found in the boat and not on the person. Hazards in cold, swift water happen fast. All are advised to wear life jackets at all times. Washington requires children under 12 to wear life jackets on any boats under 19 feet long when those boats are moving. Recreational boats must carry one U.S. Coast Guard-approved flotation device for each person aboard.

A water safety fact sheet (www.doh.wa.gov/Topics/WaterSafety.htm) is available on the Department of Health Web site. And check out our health tips for staying safe in hot weather (www.doh.wa.gov/Topics/heatsafe.htm).

Health workers are also concerned about other hot weather risks. Tips include staying indoors and out of the heat as much as possible, drinking lots of water, avoiding strenuous outdoor activities, and avoiding sunburn. The health department has an online list of hot weather precautions (www.doh.wa.gov/phepr/handbook/heat.htm).

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