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Wilderness & Navigation Life-saving
Crossing Moving Water
River crossings drown experienced people. Most can be avoided with patience and a better spot.
What to do
- 1Scout up and down stream for the widest, shallowest, slowest section (often where it braids).
- 2Unbuckle your pack's waist strap so you can shed it if you fall.
- 3Face upstream, use a sturdy stick as a third leg, and shuffle sideways.
- 4Cross as a group, linked, with the strongest upstream.
- 5If swept off your feet, point your feet downstream and backstroke to shore.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Crossing above rapids or strainers (logjams)
- Buckling your pack tight
- Crossing in bare feet
Good to know
- When in doubt, don't — wait for water to drop or find a safer route. No destination is worth drowning.
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