Know The Law
- BWI (Boating While Intoxicated) is prohibited under Virginia law.
Violators will be prosecuted. Legal limits have recently been lowered. If you drink,
wait till your boating day is over.
- Possession Of Alcohol is
prohibited at all public access points, including parks and riverbanks. Violators
will be ticketed. Under Virginia law, possession of alcohol by those under 21 years
of age will result in revocation of driver's license.
- Life Jacket Required.
It is illegal to enter the river without a life jacket when Falmouth Bridge gauge
is in the Yellow. It is illegal to enter the river when the gauge is in the Red.
Violators will pay all rescue costs, including helicopter.
Recognize Moving Water Hazards
- High Water - Stay off the river if you see these warning signs of high water: swiftly moving water, muddy water, a river out of its
banks,
debris in the river, or water flowing among the trees on the shore.
- Strong
Current - Currents often cannot be seen, but can be extremely dangerous.
- Uneven Riverbed - Deep
holes, uneven current, rocks, roots, broken glass, and fishing line all pose real
dangers. The "Fall Line" area of the
Rappahannock from Old Mill Park to Fredericksburg City Dock is especially dangerous
in this regard.
- Don't Stand In Moving Water - Foot entrapment between
rocks or in debris lets current force victims under. Float. Keep feet up and downstream
to fend off rocks.
- Hydraulics - Hydraulics send water falling
over ledges or dams, creating holes, then recirculating the water to fill the holes. This can drag trapped victims under repeatedly.
- Strainers - Strainers,
such as downed trees, debris piles, and undercut rocks, let water flow through but
strain out boats and bodies, holding them under. Paddle well
clear or walk around these obstructions. If you are out of your boat and cannot
avoid being washed into a strainer, swim vigorously towards it and climb over it.
-
Diving - Never dive into anything but a swimming pool. Diving in shallow water or into unexpected underwater
rocks and logs can cause injury, paralysis, or death.
- Hypothermia
- Cold water exposure, or even dampness with a little wind chill, can cause loss
of coordination, clouded thinking, unconsciousness, and death. Dress appropriately.
-
Alcohol and Drugs - Alcohol and drugs make swimmers and boaters
more likely to take risks but less able to deal with these risks.
River Safety Checklist
- Respect The River - Natural patterns of free-flowing rivers can
be learned but cannot be controlled.
- Buddy System - Never wade,
tube, swim, or boat alone. Go with someone who knows the river.
- Life
Jacket - Essential for fishing, wading, tubing, swimming, or boating on
moving water.
- Equipment - Wear shoes, appropriate clothes,
and sun protection. Take a first aid kit and plenty of drinking water.
-
Swimming Ability - Be a swimmer. Non-swimmers often panic, endangering
themselves and others.
- Skill/Physical Condition - Take a boating
course. Be physically fit. River sports are demanding.
- No Alcohol/No
Drugs - Impaired coordination and judgment increase risk of loss of life.
-
Trip Planning - Consider water levels and available time. Allow
one hour's paddling for every two miles of river (longer if fishing). Let someone
know your plans, when and where you will start, and when and where you expect to
complete your trip.
- Weather / Time of Day - Get a weather report
before starting your trip. Lightning, cold weather, high winds, dusk, all mean get
off the river until conditions improve.
- Scout Unknown Hazards
- Rapids are always hazardous, but even calm areas can hide deep holes in the riverbed,
treacherous underwater currents, shifting sand bars, broken glass, fish hooks, undercut
rocks, logs, roots, and assorted trash.
- Water Levels - Check
the gauge before beginning your trip. When the river is in the green area, life Jackets
are essential. In the Yellow, stay off the river. In the Red, stay off the river,
rescue is difficult or impossible!
Brochure
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