Strainers are very common on many of the creeks we like to run, especially after floods take place.  For the most part, scouting and avoidance are our best defense.  When running a new and steep creek, I will short stretches that I have scouted, get out, run downstream for more scouting.  It takes longer but I factor that into the planned time on the river.  We always incorporate a strainer drill and get the students to experience but the right way and the wrong way to swim into strainers.  For many, the thought of charging hard towards a strainer is very counterintuitive.  Read the following short articles to learn more about this important topic.

• Lethal hazard, common cause of river fatalities
• May appear benign (it’s just a tree…)
• Possible approaches