Emergency personnel emphasize water safety, especially during the holiday weekend

The opportunities for boating in the Mat-Su Borough are endless, from floating down local rivers to catch fish, to motoring out to the family cabin or even kayaking one of the many lakes in town.

In preparation for the Fourth of July holiday, Deputy Chief of the Mat-Su Borough Water Rescue Team Caleb Avritt urges boaters, especially on moving bodies of water, to consider ways to improve their safety this weekend.

“Have fun and be prepared,” Avritt said. “Don’t underestimate flowing water because it only takes a little bit of water to make your day really bad.”

Common circumstances behind the emergency calls that the borough has responded to this year include alcohol usage, exceeded boat or watercraft limitations and exceeded physical limitations of the person operating the vessel. Avritt emphasized the safety complications of mixing alcohol and boating.

“Boats and alcohol don’t mix,” Avritt said.

Common areas that Avritt’s team responds to are Willow Creek, the Little Susitna River, the Knik River and Matanuska River. A lack of knowledge on current water conditions, understanding the route boaters are taking and a lack of adequate equipment are common issues that lead to emergency situations.

People taking watercraft down moving waterways in the borough should be aware of the current levels and speed of the water, Avritt said. Local tackle shops and outdoor stores can point boaters in the right direction on where they can recreate most safely. Local shuttle services and boat launch facilities may also be good resources for current conditions. Avritt also suggests people understand their own physical limitations and urges people go out in groups.

A common misconception is how cold the water is in Alaska. With water temperatures in the 40s and 50s, hypothermia can occur quickly. Should someone fall in, Avritt suggests carrying a dry bag with extra clothing and a fire starter to get warm as fast as possible. While the emergency situation may be happening close to civilization, it still takes time for emergency services to reach those in need.

“If you do get capsized on a river, even if it’s the Little Su or Willow Creek, you might be close on paper to somebody, but you’re going to be on the bank, cold,” Avritt said.

Gear that all boaters should have with them include personal flotation devices for every person on board, throwable devices like a throw bag and sound producing devices like a whistle or air horn. A comprehensive list of required boating equipment for navigating Alaska waterways can be found on the state of Alaska website.

Boaters should be prepared for higher traffic on the lakes and rivers this weekend. Recreators should be prepared to not only help themselves, but others around them in case of an emergency.

“Boaters are their own first responders,” Avritt said. “They need to be ready to rescue themselves, but also rescue other boaters.”

If a situation demands that rescue personnel be contacted, Avritt said there is no shame in calling for help. A call should be made when the person has exceeded their limitations and their gear’s capabilities.

The water rescue team works with local 911 dispatch for areas with phone signal and can respond to more remote emergencies where the only contact is with satellite communication. Avritt said it is better to call right away rather than to wait and risk further injury.

“We like responding to people who don’t need it versus people who needed it three hours ago,” Avritt said.

Callers will be asked to provide a vessel description, current conditions of the water and the weather in their area, number of people in their group and report on if people are still in the water requiring rescue. An accurate and precise location will also be beneficial for responders.

While the Fourth of July weekend should be enjoyed outdoors with friends and family, boaters should always keep safety at the forefront of their activities this summer. Keeping water safety as a top priority will prevent boaters from becoming another statistic.