Water Safety

Drowning is one of the leading causes of death in the backcountry, and most of those incidents involve water that people chose to enter or cross. River crossings that are knee-deep in August can be waist-deep and fast in June. A creek that was safe yesterday can be dangerous after overnight rain. Water conditions change faster than most people expect, and the consequences of misjudging them are immediate.

This page covers water safety fundamentals for backcountry travelers — people crossing rivers on foot, filtering drinking water, and making decisions about when to cross and when to find another way. If you are into whitewater paddling or canyoneering, the swift water rescue courses listed here are especially relevant.

River Crossing Fundamentals

Most backcountry river crossings are ford crossings — wading through moving water without a bridge. The risk depends on depth, speed, footing, and water temperature. Here are the basics:

• Scout before you cross. Walk upstream and downstream to find the widest, shallowest section. Wider is usually shallower and slower. Avoid bends, where the outside bank is deep and fast.
• Unbuckle your hip belt. If you go down in moving water with a pack strapped to you, it can pin you face-down. Unbuckle the hip belt and loosen the shoulder straps so you can ditch the pack if needed.
• Use trekking poles or a stick. A third point of contact gives you stability. Plant it upstream and lean into the current slightly as you move.
• Face upstream and move sideways. Shuffling sideways with your feet apart gives you a wider base than walking forward. Keep your feet on the bottom — do not try to step over rocks in current.
• Know when not to cross. If the water is above your knees and moving fast, if you cannot see the bottom, or if the crossing feels wrong, turn around. Going a mile upstream to find a safer crossing is always better than getting swept downstream.

Water Treatment Basics

Drinking untreated water in the backcountry carries the risk of giardia, cryptosporidium, bacteria, and viruses depending on the source and region. Treatment is not optional — even clear mountain streams can carry pathogens.

• Filtration — Pump filters and gravity filters remove protozoa and bacteria. Most backpacking filters have a pore size of 0.2 microns, which handles giardia and bacteria but does not remove viruses. Sufficient for most North American backcountry water sources.
• Chemical treatment — Chlorine dioxide tablets or drops kill protozoa, bacteria, and viruses. Effective but requires wait time (30 minutes to 4 hours depending on the product and water temperature). Lightweight backup option.
• UV purification — Devices like the SteriPEN use ultraviolet light to kill pathogens. Fast and effective, but battery-dependent and requires relatively clear water to work properly.
• Boiling — Bringing water to a rolling boil kills everything. The most reliable method but requires fuel and time. At elevations above 6,500 feet, boil for three minutes to compensate for the lower boiling point.

Free Resources

• National Park Service — Water Safety — General guidance on water safety in national parks, including river crossings, flash flood awareness, and cold water hazards.
• National Weather Service — Flood Safety — Information on flash flood risk, flood watches and warnings, and how to interpret stream gauge data. Relevant for anyone traveling in canyon country or areas prone to sudden water level changes.
• USGS Water Data — Real-time stream gauge data for rivers and creeks across the US. Checking current flow rates before a trip helps you anticipate crossing difficulty. Compare current flows against historical averages to gauge whether conditions are higher or lower than normal for the time of year.
• Andrew Skurka (YouTube) — Practical backcountry skills videos, including well-regarded tutorials on river crossing technique. Skurka is a National Geographic Adventurer of the Year and his instruction comes from extensive long-distance backpacking experience.
• American Red Cross — Flood Safety — General flood preparedness and safety guidance, including what to do if you are caught in rising water.

Paid Courses

Swift water rescue training is most relevant for paddlers, canyoneers, and river guides, but the awareness and self-rescue skills taught in these courses apply to anyone who regularly crosses backcountry rivers.

• Rescue 3 International — The most widely recognized swift water rescue training organization. They offer Swiftwater Rescue Technician (SRT) courses at various levels, taught by certified instructors across the US and internationally. Their curriculum is used by many fire departments and SAR teams.
• Sierra Rescue — Based in California, Sierra Rescue runs swift water rescue courses, river rescue workshops, and whitewater safety courses primarily in the western US. They also offer Wilderness First Aid courses with a river-focused component.
• NOLS River Courses — NOLS runs river-based expeditions that integrate water safety, river reading, and rescue skills into the broader curriculum. A good option if you want immersive experience rather than a standalone rescue course.
• American Canoe Association (ACA) — Offers safety and rescue certifications for paddlers. Their courses cover river reading, self-rescue, and assisted rescue techniques. Also a good source for finding qualified paddling instructors in your area.
• Local paddling clubs and outfitters — Many whitewater outfitters and kayak clubs offer river safety clinics and rescue courses, often at lower cost than national organizations. Check with shops and clubs in your region for seasonal offerings.

For stream gauge data and water level monitoring tools, see the Stream Gauges & Water Levels page under Weather.