Come Alive But Come Back Alive- safety at falls.

Waterfalls command respect-Better give that.

No waterfall is a theme park. It’s a wild and dangerous phenomenon of nature. Respect its wonder at all times. Never ever take it for granted. We lose close to 1000 souls per year due to drowning and a majority of those deaths are at waterfalls. Waterfalls are one of the biggest killers in Nature here in SriLanka.

Rescue near impossible-precautions matter

A waterfall is located far away from easy access for support and rescue teams. So any injury or emergency at a waterfall almost always end in tragedy. Be mindful of this reality. At least one member must take the mobile phone to the waterfall. Keep it ready in case. Never ever fail to tell others exactly where you are going. Make sure that your team stays together at all times. Never permit members of your team to wander around.

Fun with water means extra watch on weather.

Check the weather. No month is perfectly safe in Sri Lanka, since the inter monsoon rains are a reality in even in the driest months. It’s best to stay away from a waterfall after 12 noon. Afternoon showers can never be predicted. Clear skies above your head are no guarantee that it would be the same Blue on the other side of the mountain. Safety is a must and common sense needs to be your faith when in nature.

If the waterfall has an observation platform as in Dunhinda, Aberdeen etc, stay there, especially during the rainy season. Most waterfalls attract visitors during the time there’s plenty water in the falls. Visitors must never forget it’s the rainy season where the unpredictability of the waterfall is at its highest.

Alcohol and Water make a deadly mix- Many who tried paid with life.

Never take alcohol and never allow anyone in the team to take alcohol. So many deaths at waterfalls just in the past few weeks should be enough reason for us to maintain sanity and a level head out there. All it needs is just one careless member to put the entire team in harm’s way.

Locals are far better advisors than Google

Heed the warnings and instructions of the local people. Never ever doubt them. A waterfall s a highly dynamic phenomenon in nature .No one understands it better than local villager.Few Sri Lankan waterfalls have warning notices in display. Follow them in letter and spirit. Warning signs in a location in SriLanka means just one thing –that many had perished there.

Respect the path. There’s a reason why it’s there.

Always stick to the main trail when reaching or going about the vicinity of a waterfall. Never veer off track. All it needs to create mortal danger is just one slip or a misstep. Whenever walking near a waterfall, try to keep three points of contact with the hard surfaces –meaning both feet firm at all times and your hand looking for a place to hold. Your shoes must be strong in the sole. Ladies shoes must be avoided. Bare feet can find better traction .Rubber slippers are very bad idea when going to a water fall.

Do not reach beyond the common path in order to get better views. Most of the waterfall deaths occur due to this reason .It’s well worth living than to risk life for a better selfie.

Many who monkey around don’t make it back..

Do not climb above the waterfall under any circumstances .No waterfall is suitable for climbing. A fall from a height of even a few feet could be highly dangerous. Stay below the level of the waterfall which gives the best view of it .Do not climb on to rocks, boulders etc. Stay away from ledges .Your carelessness could lead others to follow suit. Climbing around a waterfall too must be avoided .The damp surfaces of the rocks could mean danger.

Never ever swim above a waterfall. It’s a dance with death. A mountain stream is among the most unpredictable of occurrences in nature. Never underestimate its capacity to pull a surprise on you.

?

Check your feet – not just the face

Avoid selfies from a height. What your screen shows is a two dimensional view of what’s behind you. It fails to show the depth or the distance. You might be far closer to the edge than what the screen shows. Never be fooled by the fools who risked life in a waterfall to take a high risk picture. They just got lucky. Ours might run out if we follow.

Terror arrives between the monsoons

Any waterfall could be dangerous during the inter monsoon between major monsoons. Stay clear of water, especially in the afternoon. Afternoon rains upstream easily create flash floods .SriLanka loses many people due to these sudden walls of water. You cannot run/swim away from a wall of water rushing 40kmph at you.

There’s a scientific truth why even good swimmers die trying.

Never, ever dive in to a pool at the waterfall. The temperature at the deeper water could be well below the ground level .This big gap in temperature could very easily cause cramps and difficulties in breathing .Even a highly experienced swimmer may be in trouble in such danger. Waters just below the waterfall are highly aerated, meaning that the water is mixed with large amounts of air due to the water falling from heights. It’s very hard to swim in such waters and it’s even harder to get back to surface after diving in to such a pool of water.

Hidden caverns and whirlpools – Most deaths happen here.

Never underestimate the force of water currents .They easily move logs and rocks, so your chances of winning against the currents are slim at best. Currents can easily drag you to places where there could be deep caverns, swirls etc where it would be near impossible for others to come to your aid. Average team going for a swim near a waterfall won’t have even one member who can actually swim . This is a harsh reality in SriLanka. So if you get in to trouble you are on your own. And your ability to rescue someone in danger is next to nil .Never forget this fact. If you must swim, find a shallow, covered place well below the location of the waterfall with a clear line of sight at the falls. ?This way you might notice any change in the waterfall, for you to make it to safety.

Never cross rushing waters. Even the waters that are just mere foot deep can sweep you off balance. Be extra careful when crossing a stream below a waterfall. Try to do if you must as a group with each one supporting others. Never do so with children. Water currents have force that’s incredibly powerful.

Even animals do this –for a reason

When the team decides to take a dip, make sure to leave half the team as a watch. Those on ground can notice someone in trouble mush faster than those in water. Take turns when bathing. Cut down the time taken. Waterfalls are the most dangerous of places to have a bath. It’s far riskier than even the ocean beach.

Leaves on water –a sign

Never ignore signs of flash floods crashing down your way, such as floating leaves, sudden change in color of water and distant rumble. Keep your eyes and ears focused and discourage noisy behavior by your team mates.

Never post risky snaps that you take .Without knowing you might be the reason for another’s death.

The Dirty Secret we all know about.

Never trust the water quality in a waterfall. Many dirty streams that carry our urban garbage create good looking waterfalls. Dunhinda is just one example. Bring back every single piece you take there. That includes even the tiny piece of soap and every hairpin.

Our parents, grandparents too enjoyed the very waterfalls decades ago long before you have discovered them .But they never played fool with them –the reason why incidents like drowning used to be a rarity about several decades back.

It’s no theme park to fool around. Risks Aint worth it.

Never overestimate your skills. Never underestimate the forces of nature.