Use whatever means are at your disposal to avoid foot entrapment. A great technique is shuffling your feet on the bottom of the stream bed and using your toes to feel for the most secure place to plant your foot. Once found, transfer weight and repeat the process with the other foot. Falls in fast water are somewhat unpredictable and it can be all too easy to get a foot caught or break a wrist trying to stop the fall.

When wading across a stream, take your time and choose your steps carefully. Try to avoid tripping or slipping off your stance. Use your toes to identify any unstable footing before placing weight on that foot. If going solo, use a paddle or stick as a cane. The name of the game is stay in control.

When crossing streams, many factors need to be evaluated to figure out the best and fastest route across. If the victim is directly across the stream and you need to physically reach them, look upstream and downstream for the easiest path. Most streams in our area are pool-drop-pool. Consider a run upstream and swimming across in that nice safe deep pool of water - why take chances. If the water is really fast in the rapid, you may need to start your water entry a bit higher to land exactly where you want (another term for this approach is a reverse ferry). What is the bottom like? Is it silty or rocky. Are the rocks jagged? Any signs of layering or cracks? You may need to consider extra protection like a tether to avoid foot entrapment. Fast water also brings new challenges into play like strong eddy lines, sizable waves, and holes. Take a second and try to predict what will happen to you when you enter the water. If you fall and swim, where is the best place to set safety.