Agencies cite cold-water shock, rip currents, bystander rescues as hazards
The National Park Service and California State Parks have issued water-safety reminders as a heatwave continues across the western and central United States and recent drownings have been reported at California beaches and rivers. Officials are urging swimmers to assess local conditions before entering the water and warning that cold-water temperatures, rip currents, and bystander rescue attempts all pose documented hazards.
Several recent fatal incidents have drawn attention to the warnings. In June, two college students died after being swept out to sea by turbulent waves at a beach in Santa Cruz, California. Last week, also in California, two brothers were found dead in the Trinity River, a popular rafting destination that has seen several casualties this summer. In Southern California, a bodysurfer at Laguna Beach died this week after losing consciousness in the water; officials said he had been observed struggling to stay above water. Earlier this summer, at the same Laguna Beach, a five-year-old girl was found dead after being engulfed by a wave.
The recent deaths occur against a documented seasonal pattern. According to 2018–24 data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning deaths rise nationwide each year from April through September.
Federal and state agencies have framed their guidance around specific hazards. The National Park Service notes that rivers, lakes, and oceans can be colder than 80°F in summer despite warm air, and warns that “swimming in water colder than 70°F lowers your body temperature and can lead to cold shock. Cold shock makes it difficult for you to breathe and swim,” according to a water-safety page on the NPS website.
Conditions can also vary significantly from one place to another, said Mike Garel, an NPS Lake Mead national recreation area chief ranger. “Don’t assume that what was safe somewhere else is safe here,” Garel said. “Before getting in, take a minute to understand the conditions and know what hazards may be present. Know your abilities, follow posted guidance, wear a life jacket and look out for the people you’re with.” He continued: “We want people to enjoy the water and have fun, but to do it safely and responsibly.”
A California State Parks spokesperson made similar points in a Friday statement. “Tides and swell variables can quickly change a safe day at the beach into dangerous conditions,” the spokesperson said. Swimmers are encouraged to learn to recognize rip currents — fast-moving channels of water that can drag swimmers away from the shore and are not always discernible to the naked eye.
For individuals who spot swimmers in distress, the state agency was emphatic about not attempting a rescue. “Stay high and dry, always maintain a visual of the victim, and be ready to flag down responders,” the agency said. “Many cases have been made more dangerous by bystanders attempting rescues, putting themselves in a position beyond their abilities.”
Federal health officials have repeated longstanding advice that swimmers in natural waters wear life vests, including strong swimmers. The devices can help if water depth suddenly changes or if swimmers become fatigued across great distances. Officials also discourage consumption of drugs or alcohol, which can impair motor skills and increase drowning risk.