Water safety -- a PSA.

[Jehanne]

Where I live, a person, on average, drowns once a year from becoming trapped in a lowhead dam.  For those who encounter these monsters, here are some good safety tips:

http://watercraft.ohiodnr.gov/lowheaddams

Of course, the number #1 rule is to stay far away!!

[Fireball]

Never heard of this before, but it's good to know.

[chimp3]

There is one near here that is especially dangerous. The current above it is strong. Any watercraft that are without power are carried over it. It is best to stay far away but there is a boat launching area right above it.

[Jackalope]

We have a river in the area that IIRC claims a few lives a year on average. The combination of cold water current and dangerous debris (sieves), often times combined with alcohol, testosterone and a disdain for life jackets makes that outcome both predictable and preventable.

[Rhondazvous]

Where I live, a person, on average, drowns once a year from becoming trapped in a lowhead dam.  For those who encounter these monsters, here are some good safety tips:

http://watercraft.ohiodnr.gov/lowheaddams

Of course, the number #1 rule is to stay far away!!

I'll remember that. Don't go down under when you're down under.

[Jehanne]

Where I live, a person, on average, drowns once a year from becoming trapped in a lowhead dam.  For those who encounter these monsters, here are some good safety tips:

http://watercraft.ohiodnr.gov/lowheaddams

Of course, the number #1 rule is to stay far away!!

I'll remember that. Don't go down under when you're down under.

I am somewhat surprised that thrill-seekers have not made a sport of "dam diving", where they try to sink themselves in the hydraulic.  Maybe the fatality rate is simply too high for such a "sport" to elicit much organization.  Still, the advice on the Ohio DNR website is likely one's best bet if you happen to get swept over one.  Trying to float is nearly impossible, and so, sinking oneself while curling-up into a tight ball is probably one's only option for a quick escape.

[Minimalist]

Out here swimming pools are the big danger.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=...-fCU9MgqBA

[Jehanne]

Two young women, age 25, drowned in a low-head (weir) dam just over a week ago:

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/west/2...1705200111

Here is a selfie that they took together moments before they went screaming to their deaths:



http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2...1705220154


In spite of this horrible tragedy, it was a chance for the authorities to publicize some much needed safety information:


Both bodies have been recovered, although, one of the women remained lost in the river for over a week, as her remains slowly drifted downstream into an adjoining county.

[bennyboy]

Geez, man, you'd think a couple thousand bucks of rebar could end the danger, no?

[Jehanne]

Geez, man, you'd think a couple thousand bucks of rebar could end the danger, no?

The Army Core of Engineers are actually removing low-head dams all over the place, but they need more money:

Before:



After:



http://www.iowawhitewater.org/lhd/LHDboone.html