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| Go forth in safety this Fourth |
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 | | Photo by John Fannin/Daily Sun News | | The Sunnyside city pool is a refreshing way to beat the summer heat. By taking precautions in and around the pool, swimmers can have a safe, as well as enjoyable, splash in the water. |
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By John Fannin
The Fourth of July holiday is here, which means barbecues, apple pie and fireworks.
As temperatures continue to hug triple digits, the holiday is also a tempting time for a swim.
With a total of five drowning deaths in the Yakima and Tri-Cities areas this summer, local officials offered suggestions to help swimmers and boaters keep safe in the water.
"Never leave a child unattended around the water, not for an instant," emphasized Fire District 5 Chief Brian Vogel. "Those little guys can move pretty quick."
District 5 covers an area which includes 60 miles of water ways, said Vogel, including popular boat launches between Mabton and Sunnyside and near Zillah.
"The big thing is to make sure that children are wearing a personal flotation device when they are in a boat or in the water," he said.
Mike Hanratty, Sergeant for the Yakima County Sheriff's marine patrol division, said all children 12 and under must by law wear a life vest when they're on a boat.
But even when near the water or in a pool, Hanratty said youngsters should wear life jackets. He added that inflatable arm bands and toys should be used as a complement to a life vest, not in place of one.
"A life jacket not only makes you float, but it positions your body so your head is above water," Hanratty said.
To determine if a life jacket fits a child properly, he suggests lifting up the youngster's shoulders to see if the vest slips.
"It should fit them like a glove," Hanratty said. "You've got to have your kids try them on. They're like shoes, not one size is going to fit every kid."
Making sure of a snug fit means that parents should replace their child's life vest each year as he or she grows. "If they're wearing a vest they wore last year, it's likely they've outgrown it," Hanratty cautioned.
To encourage the use of life vests, Hanratty said the Sheriff's office is issuing certificates for free Dairy Queen ice cream cones to any child they see wearing a life jacket in or around the water.
Adults need to be water wise and water safe as well.
"As adults we need to recognize our limitations," said Vogel. "A foot of water moving at five miles per hour is enough to sweep you off your feet," he added. "If you're not a strong enough swimmer, the current can take you out."
When swimming in the Yakima River, be aware of the water's temperature, Vogel noted.
"With the snow melt the water is still very cold," he said. "It doesn't take long for hypothermia to set in, and then we lose our ability for common sense."
Officials say common sense should extend to staying out of the irrigation canals and laterals that course through the Lower Valley.
Vogel noted that swimming in the canals is illegal and is trespassing on Bureau of Reclamation property.
It can also be dangerous.
"The canals get a pretty good current going," said Vogel. "The water moves faster than you think."
Josh Roe, a paramedic firefighter with the Sunnyside Fire Department, said canal caution should also extend to driving and walking near the water lines.
"We've already had a report this summer of someone who drove their car into a canal," Roe said. "Fortunately, they were able to get out of the car."
The stretch of canal that runs from West Edison Avenue along Crescent Avenue in Sunnyside is one that has caused problems for motorists in the past, he said.
In addition, motorists should use caution along the length of canal in the vicinity of Highway 241 and East Edison Avenue. "Traffic speeds are pretty high out there," he warned.
Pedestrians should be careful how close they walk near the irrigation canals.
"A lot of people will walk along the canal banks on the hill," said Roe. "It's a nice walk, but people should be sure they don't get too close to the edge," he continued. "You don't know how safe the embankment is, and it could slide out from underneath you."
Besides canals, the other top water-related concern for the Sunnyside Fire Department is the city pool.
"We get quite a few emergency calls at the pool," Roe said. Among the most common are head injuries from hitting the diving board.
"The main thing is to make sure you get out far enough that you're going to clear the diving board," he said. "Focus more on the distance of the dive rather than the height."
Other pool safety tips offered by Roe include walking on the concrete edge of the pool, rather than running; watch your step for goggles, towels or people; and don't swim in the deep end if you're not a strong swimmer.
Despite every precaution, whether at pool or river, there are instances where a swimmer without a life vest can literally get in over his or her head.
After calling 911, Vogel suggests a four-pronged approach to water rescue he calls "reach, throw, tow, go."
The safest way to attempt a rescue, Vogel said, is to reach the swimmer by extending out a branch or broom handle to bring them to shore.
A second option is to throw a rope or life preserver to the person, he noted, with the third being to get in a boat to tow the person to shore.
If all fails, swim out to the person. And even then, proceed with caution.
"There is a higher hazard level if you swim out to the person," Vogel explained. "If they feel like they're drowning, they'll panic and start grabbing and pulling you down. |
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