MRS Paddling Academy | “Accident Case Report” Series – Vol. 2

Case 1

A person kayaking alone to watch the sunrise went missing in Lake Chaohu for 12 hours

On May 15, 2023, the Baishan Police Station in Lujiang County received a phone call from a member of the public reporting that their family member went missing after going alone to play at Lake Chaohu. Upon receiving the report, the police immediately initiated a search operation.

According to reports from nearby residents, the police learned that on the morning of the incident, the individual arrived at the shore of Lake Chaohu and paddled a kayak alone towards Laoshan Island on the opposite side of the lake.

The local public security authorities immediately initiated an emergency search and rescue procedure, coordinating with the fisheries administration to deploy speedboats for a joint rescue mission on the lake. Approximately 40 minutes into the search operation, police officers found an overturned kayak at the center of the lake.

A person is floating on the water’s surface with the buoyancy of a life jacket, with only their head visible above the water.

The rescue boat quickly approached the overturned kayak, and rescue personnel promptly pulled the woman onto the lifeboat, successfully bringing her back to shore. At this point, 12 hours had passed since she went missing.

According to reports, this woman went alone by kayak to Laoshan Island to watch the sunrise that day but encountered unexpected waves on the lake, causing the kayak to capsize in the center of the lake. After falling into the water, the individual floated on the surface with the buoyancy of a life jacket and nearly lost hope of survival at one point. Fortunately, police officers and rescue personnel arrived in time to successfully rescue her.

Case 2

Seven people crossed the safety line to embark on a risky drifting adventure, resulting in two people going missing

On July 16, 2020, seven middle-aged individuals from Tongchuan District gathered at Luojiang Pier for a river drifting excursion.

Seven people launched near Luojiang Pier. Due to heavy rain over several days, the river surged rapidly. About 1 kilometer from the pier, near the newly constructed Luojiang Bridge, five people managed to reach shore, while two were swept away by the swift current and went missing.

According to family members, the two missing individuals are both in their forties and had joined an informal swimming enthusiast “club”. They had participated in several “drifting” activities organized by this “club” before the incident occurred.

At the time of the incident, these two individuals were swept away by the floodwaters due to exhaustion, and the life jackets they were wearing had their straps torn off during the approach to shore.

Risk Analysis

The main reasons for the two cases are the individuals’ insufficient understanding of outdoor water activities. They did not assess the water conditions or evaluate the weather before proceeding, and entered the water blindly, which ultimately resulted in dangerous or unfortunate consequences.

The sky may seem clear, but lightning and thunderstorms, accompanied by strong winds and heavy rain, can occur in an instant. This leads to unpredictable conditions in outdoor water areas during the summer.

Outdoor weather is unpredictable. You need to have some knowledge about different weather conditions. Please check the weather of the day in advance and take preventive measures.

Before engaging in outdoor water activities, assessing the weather is fundamental and crucial:

– Rainy days can cause water levels to rise and currents to become turbulent.

– Snowy conditions may pose risks of low temperatures, affecting activity safety.

– Thunderstorms pose risks of lightning strikes due to the expansive water bodies.

Extreme severe weather such as heavy rain, thunderstorms, hailstorms, etc., are unsuitable for water activities.

When participating in outdoor water sports, it’s crucial to choose a location with safety measures in place, ideally at a professional water club or water sports center. Avoid venturing alone into unfamiliar outdoor water areas, particularly without the expertise to evaluate weather and water conditions.

Player Tips

My friends and I drifted down the same river in the same stretch twice.

The second time, we prepared just as thoroughly as the first, checking hydrological and weather conditions, but the circumstances were vastly different. The river’s water level had risen, and the current had become swift. The usually clear river water had turned a murky yellow and black.

During our trip, one of the rafters in our group capsized in the rapids. We promptly rescued them and retrieved the raft.

At the time, we couldn’t fathom why the river had changed so abruptly. It later emerged that our location was where two rivers converged, and one had experienced heavy rainfall the previous day, leading to a dramatic alteration in the combined flow.

This experience underscored for me the profound impact of weather on river conditions, which can shift unpredictably. The scenario we encountered resembled what’s known as a “braided river,” where upstream rainstorms can unexpectedly transform river dynamics.

Correct instruction

Check the Weathe

It’s crucial to consider local climate conditions when planning, encompassing both long-term  and recent weather conditions. For instance, during the rainy season, water levels may consistently rise, making travel ill-advised.

It is advised to check local weather conditions the night before and on the day of departure, paying close attention to the weather forecast for your arrival time at the destination, to ensure adequate preparation.

If encountering severe weather conditions, please consider postponing your trip to mitigate unnecessary risks.

Weather Impacts on River Water Levels
River water levels are influenced by weather, climate, and natural surroundings.

These changes can occur suddenly, such as unexpected downpours; periodically, like glacier melting during midday heat; or seasonally, such as the gradual increase or decrease of water sources like melting snow. Each fluctuation in water levels brings different risks and affects the timing of activities.

Therefore, before embarking on water activities, it’s crucial to understand the weather conditions in the area for both the current day and preceding days. Understanding the factors influencing water level changes helps in choosing appropriate destinations and predicting potential hazards.