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SALT LAKE COUNTY -- With rivers roaring heading into a holiday weekend, emergency responders hope everyone understands just how deadly swift water can be.
"It looks pretty crazy," says Colin Stuart, a high school sophomore. "If I could go tubing, I would."
- Call 911 immediately
- Talk to the person if you can
- Urge them to get to a rock, the shore or a log
- Tell them help is on the way
- Reach out with a pole or throw a rope
- Do not go in yourself and don't put yourself in danger
But he wasn't serious about it. Stuart and a couple of friends were checking out the swift water Thursday afternoon at the Big Cottonwood Creek catch basin in the Old Mill area.
Most of Utah's rivers are still rising, and they'll keep rising for a few more weeks. Everyone wants to get a closer look because the rushing water is such an impressive site -- but the level of danger can be deceptive.
"I would definitely watch your kids around here," says Jenna Evans. "I wouldn't let them play around here, and make sure you know where your teenagers are."
"It looks kind of fun to ride on a tube, but not by myself," says Nick Liddell. "It looks pretty dangerous."
And it certainly is.
A Unified Fire Authority rescue team trained on the water today. They say, stay away.
"It can be deceptively calm," says Cpt. Jay Torgersen of the Unified Fire Authority. "It's cold water, but it's moving really fast right now."
When asked what the chances are for survival for somebody who goes in that water, Stuart answered without pause: "Zero. You'd die."
When asked what the chances are for survival for somebody who goes in that water, Stuart answered without pause: "Zero. You'd die."
Last summer, four people died in three swift water accidents.
"Our message is to avoid it altogether," says Torgersen. "If we get called out, something is extremely wrong, and your chances for survival are pretty slim."
If someone does go in the water, call 911 immediately. Talk to the person if you can. Urge them to get to a rock, the shore or a log. Tell them help is on the way. Reach out with a pole or throw a rope, but do not put yourself in danger.
"I would stay away from those waters unless you have training, equipment or experience recreating on the water right now," says Torgersen.
By the time professional help can get here, it's probably too late.
Email: jboal@ksl.com