If you fall into fast-moving water, what should you do?

When you fall into fast-moving water, putting your feet down and ditching your pack is essential for safety. This action helps you to maintain a more controlled position in the water, as standing up can help you gauge the bottom and prevent being swept away. By ditching your pack, you reduce the weight that could hinder your movement, allowing you to focus on regaining control.

In fast-moving water, your pack can easily become a liability, as it may pull you under or make it difficult to maneuver. Keeping your feet down in the water also aids in self-rescue techniques by enabling you to push off the riverbed or find something stable to hold onto. This principle is crucial because, in turbulent waters, maintaining awareness of your surroundings and your own position can significantly enhance your ability to survive and navigate back to safety.