When crossing moving water such as a river or stream, you should
always face the current and lean your body upstream against it. Never turn
your back to the current and never lean downstream, or you run the risk
of being swept away. Use a stick, branch, or other aid to help you main-
tain your balance. It only takes 6 inches (15 cm) of moving water to knock
down a full-grown man.
If you have to swim in rapids, keep your hind end as high as possible to avoid injuring
your spine. Use your feet to repel any rocks you hit, and keep your feet high so they don’t
snag in a rock crevice, flip you over, and turn you face down. Paddle backward with your
arms to reach a safe exit point.
Slide your feet along the bottom rather than taking large strides,
which would leave you on one leg for much of the crossing time. If you’re
wearing a backpack, undo the hip strap and loosen the shoulder straps so
that you can slip it off if you get knocked over. Don’t let go of it if you can
help it; but you also don’t want it to take you under. Never attempt water
crossings in bare feet. It’s a rough compromise to make, especially if your
boots or shoes are dry, but wet shoes are less debilitating than a twisted or
broken ankle or severely gashed foot.
If you’re crossing in a group, the strongest person should face the cur-
rent with the rest in line behind, each holding the person in front by the waist.
The stronger members of the group break the force of the river for the weaker
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