Despite our best efforts to prepare and prioritize water safety, emergencies can still occur. In this engaging episode, hosts Angie and Leigh delve into crucial survival strategies for various water-related emergencies, including staying safe in flooded areas, dealing with cold water immersion, and navigating fast-moving water currents.

In this episode, you'll learn:

1. Staying safe in flooded areas

Tips for safely exiting a vehicle surrounded by rising water, avoiding contaminated floodwaters, and following advisories from authorities.

2. Cold water immersion and survival techniques

Understanding the dangers of cold water shock, the Heat Escape Lessening Posture (HELP), and floating techniques for calm water. Memorable mnemonics like the 1-10-1 rule aid retention.

3. Surviving fast-moving water

Defensive swimming positions, identifying safe exit points, and aggressive swimming techniques for fast-moving currents.

References:

• American Red Cross - Water Safety https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/water-safety.html 

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Drowning Facts https://www.cdc.gov/drowning/facts/index.html 

• National Weather Service. Lightning Safety https://www.weather.gov/safety/lightning 

• Royal Life Saving. Surviving in Cold Water. https://www.drowningprevention.org.au/post/surviving-in-cold-water#:~:text=Stay%20calm%2C%20rapid%20movement%20causes,head%20out%20of%20the%20water.

• U.S. Army. Tips to Survive a Fall Into Cold Water. https://www.army.mil/article/212474/tips_to_survive_a_fall_into_cold_water • Ocean Today. Rip Current Survival Guide. https://oceantoday.noaa.gov/ripcurrentfeature/ 

• Forest Service. Water Safety. https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/know-before-you-go/water-safety 

• National Weather Service. Survivor Stores. https://www.weather.gov/safety/ripcurrent-survivor 

• National Weather Services. Rip Current Webinar. https://www.weather.gov/safety/ripcurrent-webinar 

• National Weather Service. Surf Zone Fatalities. https://www.weather.gov/safety/ripcurrent-fatalities Additional Resources:

• Red Cross Swimming and Water Safety resources: https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/swimming 

• Cold Water Boot Camp (survival techniques): https://www.coldwaterbootcampusa.org/ 

• Rip Current Safety for Kids https://oceantoday.noaa.gov/ripcurrentsafety/otkn_703b_ripcurrentsafety_sm.mp4 

• Rip Current Survival Guide https://oceantoday.noaa.gov/ripcurrentfeature/ripcurrent_feature_sm.mp4