On a warm sunny day a river swimming hole looks like a great place for a swim. Swimming in rivers is fun but it can be dangerous. Many people do not understand the force of water in a river. If you swim out of a swimming hole into the river current you can be swept down the river by the force of the water. You could be pulled underwater by the force of the current or pushed against an obstacle like a rock and be trapped and drown.

The current can be strong even if the river looks calm and the water is slow moving. Swimming in a river is not like swimming in a pool or in the sea:

• River water is much colder than pool or sea water
• You do not float as well in river water as you do in sea water
• If you are in a river current and try to put your feet down your foot could become trapped under rocks
• If you are in a river current you can become trapped against obstacles and strainers or be swept into rapids, waterfalls or weirs
• If you are in a river current you will use a lot of energyto keep yourself afloat as you look to get out of the river at the first safe exit place.