Fallen trees in the current, sweepers, log Jams, debri Piles....all of them fall into the category of strainers--probably the number one hazard Montana river runners need to watch out for. Strainers are anything that current flows through that can entrap a person or a boat. As rivers rise in late spring shorelines erode and trees fall in the current and old snags from the shoreline or winter deadfall get swept downstream --creating strainers where there were none before. Experienced guides know river current is deceptively powerful are always on the lookout to avoid all wood, trees or branches in the river. Good safety talks explain strainers and describe how to recognize and avoid them by paddling or aggressively swimming away. If you are swimming and can't avoid a strainer, the best plan is to roll over on your stomach, get your arms and legs up on the surface and aggressively swim towards the strainer head and hands first to launch yourself up and over it. If you can get part or all of you body over it...hang on. The last place you ever want to be on a river is going underneath a strainer where the potential for entrapment and drowning is serious. If you're going floating, find out where the strainers, if any, are. We focus on strainers and rescue techniques for entrapment situations in our Swiftwater Rescue Classes, but your best bet is to pay attention and be aware of strainers so if you see one you are sure to avoid it!
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