(Photo: Shaun Penner / EverythingGP staff)

By Shane Clausing

floating safety

Fire Rescue Services reminding residents to use caution while floating on Wapiti River

Jul 17, 2021 | 5:00 AM

The MD of Greenview Fire Rescue Services is reminding residents trying to float down the Wapiti River this summer to be careful.

While the river has been low for most of the summer, the water is expected to rise over the next week thanks to the rainfall over the weekend.

Wayne Brown the Regional Fire Chief for the MD of Greenview, says while it’s nice to float on the river, it’s important to make sure you’re prepared for the waters.

“I think everybody thinks that this is just going to be a ‘casual float’, but you need to bring some of the basics,” explained Brown. “Sunscreen, water, first aid kit and I’d even recommend some kind of a safety kit as well.

“You may need a water bailing device, some kind of patching, a flashlight, a heaving rope. If you have a rope that floats you have a better chance of hooking it onto something else to get you to safety.”

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Brown tells EverythingGP that so far in 2021, they haven’t had to respond to any incidents from people floating on the river.

While that’s positive news, he reminds people that the Wapiti River could get dangerous at times.

“I think people don’t appreciate the strong current (of the Wapiti River),” said Brown. “If you haven’t been out on that body of water, I don’t think you can appreciate the strength of that current.”

Before you head out onto the water, Brown recommends that people visit rivers.alberta.ca which shows you the flow rates of the river before you head out onto the water.

Wearing life jackets and also bringing paddles are also ways to keep your experience on the water safe.