Posted: 9:03 PM May 21, 2012

River Water Safety

Local law enforcement and rescue crews want you to be smart if you're out on the area's waterways. In Monday night's Special Assignment 13 report, Bob Gallaher teams up with the Eau Claire Fire Department to show you how you can stay safe while still having fun on our lakes and rivers.

For water enthusiasts, summertime in Wisconsin means taking advantage of one of the area's most precious resources, the Chippewa River. The Eau Claire fire department knows that boaters, tubers, and swimmers alike will be on the water, but want all river users to be aware of the dangers the river can present.

Mike Laska/Eau Claire Fire Department:
"We want you to use our water resources, we have the Chippewa River that runs through Eau Claire, want you to use, just want you to be safe on it, like any other waterway, want you to learn and understand that any waterway can be unpredictable."

The Eau Claire fire department's Mike Laska says tubers are perhaps the most vulnerable on the river as the majority of them don't use life vests. Laska offers these tips for those venturing onto the water.

Go with a buddy, always tube with a partner to keep on eye on each other, tell someone that you are going to be out on the water, wear appropriate clothing and sunscreen, wear shoes or sandals to protect your feet, have a current tetanus shot, and if possible, have a designated non-drinker.

With 71 water incidents from 2003 until the present with 16 deaths on the river, Laska says life vests can be life-savers.

Mike Laska: "Recommend that you have a life vest, one that is fitted for you, I know that there will be some alcohol involved, what we ask people to do is drink responsibly..."

Bob Gallaher/Reporting:
A first-time tuber myself, I spent a couple of hours on the water with Laska and members of the Eau Claire fire department last week, getting a chance to experience the chilly waters and rivers' unpredictable current. For demonstration purposes and for my own curiosity, I took a plunge into the river.

Mike Laska:
"Bob has fallen out of the tube, so what he can do is stay down river, he can't back to his tube, but he has his buddy who can talk to him... Now Bob can paddle toward the shoreline using the current and a 45-degree angle, so pick a spot (on the shore) and work you way that way."

It took several minutes, but I managed to maneuver myself to the shore, but along the way painfully discovered there are many hazards submerged in the water that you can't see.

Mike Laska: "The river as we know it has a lot of moving current, they have debris, undertows, from the logging days, here in Eau Claire, a lot of stumps, pylons, rocks, that can become dangerous to a tuber coming down the river, you many not be able to see them fast enough, be knocked out of your boat, knocked off your tube, or knocked unconscious, that's why wearing a life vest is so imperative to being safe on the waters."
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The Eau Claire fire department strongly suggests those with limited or no swimming experience to take swim lessons. You can call this number: (715) 839-5032 to view aquatics, register online and see the schedule. The summer fee is 14-dollars for youth...

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