EUGENE, Ore. — Oregon’s rivers are a popular spot for summer fun, but those who know the water well say it’s important to be prepared to keep you and your kids safe.
Leah Helfrich, a river guide and co-owner of Helfrich McKenzie Rafting, says while Oregon’s beautiful rivers attract boaters, floaters and swimmers, extremely cold waterways like the Willamette and McKenzie rivers can be dangerous.
“Because our water temperatures are so cold, the risk of hypothermia runs rampant,” she says. “We’ve got snow melt from the high Cascades year-round and spring-fed creeks feeding into our waterways. So, the water is going to be significantly colder than the air temperature and that can lead you into initial shock, some disorientation, loss of judgment and abilities to self-rescue.”
The rivers have other hazards to look out for as well.
“Since the fires in 2020, we’ve got a lot of large woody debris in the water,” Helfrich says. “So that leads to log jams, different sticks and things that you can get trapped on when you’re floating downstream. We also have a lot of swift currents in the area, and even water up to your knees can be swift enough to pull you away.”
Pediatrician Dr. Pilar Bradshaw with Eugene Pediatric Associates urges parents to always supervise kids in and around waterways and keep young children and inexperienced swimmers within arm’s reach.
“Just remember that kids are impulsive,” she says. “They don’t always understand danger. So even if your family is just playing on the banks near the river, just count on as a parent, that there’s a likelihood that some kid will run into that water.”
Importance of life jackets
Every year, an average of 40 Oregonians drown in our lakes and rivers. According to the Oregon State Marine Board, up to 90% of those who drown were not wearing life jackets.
You can borrow life jackets for children and adults at kiosks found near many boat ramps, parks, and from several businesses along the McKenzie River. It’s part of the Life Jacket Lending Program supported by McKenzie Fire & Rescue and the McKenzie River Guides Association.
Having a life jacket in a boat isn’t sufficient, Helfrich says.
“Your life jacket is your first line of defense,” she says. “Having a life jacket with you is not merely enough. You need to have a properly fitted life jacket, have it on your body because you never know when something’s going to go awry.”
Parents should also set an example for their kids.
“Just like biking and wearing helmets, if you want your kid to wear a helmet when you’re biking, you should be wearing a helmet as a parent,” she says. “And I’d recommend the same with life jackets. If you have an accident and you’re already life jacketed up, you’re more likely to be able to help out in that situation.”
The Oregon Marine Board also keeps a statewide list of life jacket loaner stations where you can borrow life jackets in child and adult sizes.
Through a partnership between McKenzie Fire & Rescue and the McKenzie River Guides Association, life jackets in all sizes are also available to borrow for the day from several businesses along the McKenzie River.
Additional safety tips
Dr. Bradshaw recommends that in addition to life jackets, children should wear bright colors. “Please put your child in a brightly colored swimsuit so they can be seen
from far away or underwater,” she says.
She also cautions that floaties, or air-filled flotation devices, are not sufficient on a river.
Helfrich warns that stand-up paddle-boarders should be wary of using ankle leashes. “They can get you trapped on any obstacles in your way, like a log jam or a stick,” she says.
More tips:
- Avoid alcohol: Don’t drink and boat, float or swim.
- Constant vigilance: Adults should always be within arm’s reach of young children and inexperienced swimmers, even if they know how to swim.
- Designated water watcher: Designate a responsible adult to watch children in and around the water, without distractions like phones or other tasks.
- Swim with a buddy: Never swim or float alone. Encourage older children to always swim with a partner, even in a supervised area.
In case of an accident
In case children do fall in and are swept downstream, teach your kids to turn over on their backs. They should have their feet pointing downstream with toes up.
“That way, if there’s anything under you, you can float over top of it,” Helfrich says. “Point your feet downstream that way you can find any obstacles with your feet rather than something more important like your head.”
It’s also important to try to stay calm.
“I always recommend staying calm, taking some deep breaths,” she says. “Look around your surroundings. If you’ve got other people or guides with you, you can look up to see if they’re reaching a hand down, reaching a paddle down, throwing you a rescue rope. Just being aware of where those would be coming from is going to be really helpful.”
“Peaceful place”
Helfrich grew up on the water and loves the opportunity to be a river guide and spend time in nature, her “peaceful place.” She says there’s nothing like a river outing and it can be a lot of fun and safe for the whole family with the right precautions.
“I’m always encouraging people to get on the water, but you want to be on the water safely,” she says. “So, know before you go. Being prepared, being safe is the way to do it.”
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