DON'T DROWN

In the last couple of weeks I've tried to fish Rock Lake in Eastern Washington -- it closed over Memorial Day due to drownings. I also spent part of a day on the Snake River fishing both the Idaho and Washington sides and managed a float on the Palouse River. In the latter case I helped fish out a couple of kids who canoed the Palouse River without a clue about water safety.

"Boy, we did this last year without any problems. How come there's so much water?"

This dangerous approach seems typical these days. Over Memorial Day Weekend, for example, two teenagers drowned in Rock Lake, another drowned in Fish Trap Lake, a very fit athlete drowned in the Spokane River and two more folks drowned in other places. All of this in one small part of Eastern Washington.

I pay more attention that most. I grew up surfing in California, worked as a life guard at pools, lakes and the beach. In salad days I was a water safety instructor in Hawaii with a batch of surf rescues and I still remember hauling in a pilgram from the Stanislaus River in the Sierras. I also dove for dead bodies in Stanislaus County years back. It's a question whether or not it's more disturbing to retrieve a drowned person, or to notify their survivors.

I'm pretty decent in a kayak or canoe--several national downrivers, guide experience etc., but I simply don't fish out of a small craft, and that includes a float tube, without a life vest. I'd no more think or running even a Class Two river without a jacket, and helmet, than I would start a cabin cruiser gas engine without running blowers for a few minutes.

Unfortunately, many people in and around the water simply lack sophisticated, or even reasonable, self-rescue skills. Even more omit life vests and jackets. You can get in trouble on your own two feet too. Just wade deep without waist belts without a clue as to what to do if you step in over your head or get washed downriver. TIP: Wear a waist-belt and a life vest or belt always, and in moving water roll over onto your back with your feet downstream and hick off rocks until you get to a spot where you can climb out.

Knowledge and practice helps. If you fish from a boat consider a Red Cross or other canoe class. Bigger boats suggest US Coast Guard Auxillary Classes. Book up and use safety gear. Take time to consider wind, tides, river flow and water temperature.

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