Water-related accidents increase with warmer weather

NITRO, W.Va. –  There are some very narrow differences in summertime fun and summertime tragedy. The rural nature of West Virginia will entice many to beat the heat with a dip into a local swimming hole. A river, creek, lake, and pond are common spots to cool off. Unfortunately they are common spots for a swimming danger.

“You’ve got to be careful with swift water.  You’ve got to be careful with the depth of water,” said DNR Natural Resources Police Sgt. Ed Goodson. “If you’re going to go swim, have a personal floatation device or lifejacket if your swimming is not up to par.”

A rope swing on a high cliff is almost irresistible for many, especially young people. Goodson said too many times poor judgment winds up with somebody getting hurt or killed. In those cases, he believed there almost always was an open container involved.

“I know you want to have a good time and enjoy the sun and water, but it seems like whenever you get those little secluded areas you almost always have the alcohol,” Goodson said. “That is not a good mixture, alcohol and the water.”

Other common mistakes are misjudging distances and an inability to accept limitations on swimming ability and stamina.

“The lack of experience in swimming in those deep holes and swift currents can tire you out very, very quickly and you won’t even know it,” he said. “Swinging on those ropes and jumping off those cliffs, but you don’t know what is underneath the surface of the water. It could be some downed trees or very sharp rocks.”

Goodson said using caution, commonsense, and leaving the alcohol at home will make for a safer day swimming on a stream, river, or lake in West Virginia.