Crossing rivers or streams safely involves paying attention to a number of factors that will influence your decision making process. Distance to the other side, water depth, turbidity, currents and the amount of gear that you are carrying will all play a role in determining the safest and most effective way to get across. Let’s examine a couple of things to consider as you weigh your options.
Maintaining Balance
The most important aspect of crossing a body of water is finding a way to maintain your balance so that you don’t fall and get swept up into currents or rapids. It is almost always best to remove your boots, shoes and socks so that you will be able to get maximum traction on the stream or river bed or over rocks and downed trees. However, if you can cross over a dam or other form of blockage without the need to wade through the water, then keeping your footwear on is the best option. You also want to take advantage of crossing on the upstream side of obstructions so that you can use them to protect you from currents as well.
Walking is Better than Swimming
Finding a shallow part of the river or crossing over rocks or branches is the safest way to get to the other side. If you have a lot of gear or if the water is cold, avoid crossing in places where the water will be more than thigh-high. Take your walking stick to measure depth as you progress forward. If you start to sink into silt or the bottom of the river or stream starts to get deeper, consider turning back and finding another spot. You also want to avoid crossing over very turbid water that contains a lot of rapids.
Swimming across a river will require a lot of energy, and you are almost guaranteed to lose your gear in the process as its weight will drag you downstream. The only time you want to swim across a river is when the current and distance to the other side is minimal. Remember that you will probably also drift downstream, even with minimal currents as you are crossing from side to side. Don’t count on the spot directly across from you as your only target. Look at conditions further downstream and anticipate that you will end up somewhere over there by the time you make it across.
As you are walking, shuffle with your feet and take small, exploratory steps. It is very easy to lose your balance. Rocks and logs can be slippery, and you should always use your walking stick for support along the way. You also want to make sure that both of your feet are in close contact with the bottom as you cross. This will increase stability and give you more resistance against the current.
Finally, if you get swept up in the current from an accidental fall, make sure that you swim at an angle that is perpendicular to the flow of the water. This the most effective and energy-saving way to get to the other side without having to fight the current.
Don’t turn a simple crossing into a life-threatening situation. Use good judgment as you assess the point where you are considering crossing the river or stream. Don’t take any unnecessary risks if conditions don’t seem ideal. It is always better to either wait until conditions improve or find another location to cross instead of getting caught up in a potentially dangerous situation.
