Swimmers and boaters beware if you’re planning to escape the unseasonable heat at a river or swimming hole this weekend. Use extreme caution before hopping in to avoid cold water shock, safety officials warn.
Cold water shock is a leading cause of hypothermia and drowning, according to the Oregon State Marine Board. And the state has plenty of cold water due to ongoing snowmelt.
The Columbia River and neighboring Willamette measured about 55 degrees Friday, which is average for this time of the year, according to meteorologist Noah Alviz with the National Weather Service in Portland.
Water temperatures under 70 degrees can be dangerous for swimmers, according to the National Center for Cold Water Safety. When people make contact with cold water, they can lose control of their breathing and struggle to swim in even calm waters.
The marine board suggests wearing a life jacket and regulating your temperature in the frigid water with wetsuits, swim caps and ear plugs.
“Keeping active, like kayaking or paddling, can also keep you warm in the cold water,” said Ashley A. Massey, public information officer with the marine board. “Unfortunately, we see the most water-related incidents when it first starts to get hot.”
Oregon had the 13th highest drowning rate in the country from 2011 to 2020, with 1.59 deaths by drowning per 100,000 people, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In 2022, there were 16 deaths from boating in Oregon, caused by sudden medical emergencies, capsizings and boats getting stuck, according to the marine board. All were during the summertime and most of the people were not wearing life jackets.
Local agencies plan to have all hands on deck – including drones and Jet Skis – as temperatures rise to search for swimmers and boaters who need help.
Saturday and Sunday could break the 90-degree mark in the Portland metro area. Monday and Tuesday are expected to continue the trend with highs near 90.
The Gresham Fire Department uses Jet Skis to respond quickly to distress calls and accidents. The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office has a dive team that responds to Sandy and Columbia River calls for help.
The Corbett Fire Department plans to use its AquaEye scanner to find people underwater and a new drone that will use thermal imaging to locate lost swimmers during the day and night from the Columbia River to 16 miles upstream on the Sandy.
Officials are still undergoing federally enforced training to operate the drone, so it won’t take flight until May 18. It will drop life jackets, first-aid kits and water for people in need.
Even with state-of-the-art rescue technology, first responders agree that wearing a life jacket is the best way to stay safe.
“The Columbia and Willamette Rivers are just too cold for safe swimming at this time,” Laurent Picard, spokesperson for Portland Fire & Rescue, said in an email. “If you must go swimming or if you go boating, it is essential that people — especially children — wear (U.S. Coast Guard)-approved life vests to avoid drowning.”
The Oregon State Marine Board’s website has a database of locations to borrow life jackets, free of charge, for people hoping to go for a swim this weekend.
Oregon’s American Medical Response and the Corbett Fire Department also placed over 120 life jackets at Glenn Otto Community Park, Lewis and Clark State Recreation Site and Dabney State Recreation Area for people to borrow.
-- Lisa Moreno; lmoreno@oregonian.com