Editorial
July 24, 2008
By Administrator
River sense needed near the Snoqualmie
You’ve given the kids swimming lessons and they can pass the lifeguard’s test for swimming past the beach rope. The whole family is careful to wear their life jackets when floating the river or boating. The basics of water safety like “always swim with a buddy” are well ingrained in everyone’s head.
Relax, you are ready for safe summer fun!
Think again, says Vic Okerlund, a Snoqualmie Valley mom who started the River Sense Project four years ago when she couldn’t find a water safety class when her middle-school son wanted to float the river.
Swimming or floating the Snoqualmie River is part of the fun of living here, but water safety takes an entirely different skill set.
Okerlund promotes the safety classes, but has turned the class instruction over to Chris Jonason, one of the top swift water rescue people in the country and owner of Wave Trek Rescue. She teaches water rescue to firefighters, and water safety to teens and adults. Many are from the Snoqualmie Valley, where a river runs through it. Residents here are more likely to respect the river and its dangers, but that doesn’t exempt them from possible tragedies when they get outdoors to enjoy the river’s fun.
Consider this: If you fall into 50-degree water you have a 50 percent chance of swimming 50 yards, or surviving 50 minutes with a life preserver. The Snoqualmie reaches 39 degrees at its coldest. Hypothermia sets in quickly. Hypothermia can kill.
Jonason’s program teaches participants not to wade or stand up in swift water, not to tie your body to anything else, how “survival swimming” is different and how to avoid foot traps and obstacles.
Jonason has only one more River Sense class this summer for youth ages 12-16, and it’s this weekend. Cost is $80 for the two days, and it takes place at the Fall City bridge. Call her at 360-793-1508 to reserve one of the few remaining spots.
Okerlund is available and willing to speak to groups about the importance of river safety. Call her at 425-441-8140.
It’s been said before: the life you save may be your own.
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