Defensive Swim Position
If you find yourself swimming in swiftwater, put yourself in the Defensive Swim Position.
- On your back
- Head upstream
- Feet on top of the water
- Do Not stand up!
Avoid Foot Entrapment
Foot entrapments are the leading cause of drowning in swiftwater.  A foot entrapment is caused by standing up or pushing off the bottom of the river with your foot. Your foot gets wedged in a rock and your body is pushed forward and under the water by the force of the current. You will not have enough strength to recover from this position.
To avoid a foot entrapment, stay in the defensive swim position until you get into slow moving or shallow water where you can stand up safely.
Defend Off Rocks
In the defensive swim position you can use your feet to defend off rocks that are above the water surface. You can also use your hands to soften the impact of a rock on your butt.
Defensive Swimming
From the defensive swim position you can use your arms to back paddle and your legs to kick. You can slow you down, swim to shore, or maneuver around a river hazard. To cross the current, ferry your body just like a boat ferry. Point your head in the direction you want to go, back paddle and kick across the current.
 Swimming A Hydraulic
If you cannot avoid a hydraulic (“hole”), then you should tuck into a ball to reduce your surface area until you are through the hole.
