A tragic story out of New Hampshire’s White Mountains offers a reminder about the dangers of wet rocks and fast moving water. As in this case, such dangers tend to increase following heavy rains. According to a news report:
The couple who drowned in the Swift River which was moving fast, was swollen by heavy rains on Friday They stopped at Lower Falls, apparently to take photographs. The man slipped into the river and was holding his camera above his head and as his wife tried to reach it, she, too, slipped on the rocks and went into the river. None of the bystanders attempted a rescue because the water was moving so quickly.
A few lessons here:
* Your camera and other gear are not worth your life. Toss your gear, grab a rock and hold on or climb out.
* If you are the rescuer, don’t rescue the gear, rescue the person.
* Easily carried items like a hollow-braid poly floating rope or a swimming “noodle” can save a life. They can be easily attached to a backpack without adding any significant weight.
* Select appropriate footwear for wet, uneven environments.
* Most important, maintain a margin of safety. Leave at least one or two steps between yourself and the risk of bodily harm. It’s not worth that “last step” to get a better picture.
Mark Johnson
