Houston County firefighters warn water danger can come fast

Firefighters say life jackets, swimming ability and alcohol awareness are key as more people head to the water.

HOUSTON COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Lakes, oceans and rivers can be cool, calm and relaxing, but things can change in minutes.

Lt. Trace Folds with the Houston County Fire Department says summer is their busiest time. 

“Really, it’s just getting on the water and doing it,” Folds said. “There’s no special sauce or secret we have. We just train, get on the water and work together.”

Folds says the team puts in at least 100 hours of training year-round for water rescues and recovery and weather conditions.

“We put a lot of emphasis on rescue, but we also have to put a little on recovery,” he said. “We do that by getting on the water, putting on gear, and going over the basics. And that’s really the cap of it. We don’t try to do anything super special, get out of our wheelhouse. We really hammer down on the basics.”

Folds says they’re a specialty team and that they train thoroughly in all types of rescue situations. 

“We are on call 24/7, but training can be difficult because there’s not always enough people in one spot or the right kind of conditions, so we try to get in dark water as much as possible,” he said.

Folds shares these water safety tips: always wear a lifejacket. If you can’t swim, don’t put yourself in a situation where you might have to. And know your limit when it comes to drinking alcohol.   

“Don’t put yourself in a situation where you’re going to need us, or someone else trying to save you,” he said. “Because a lot of people don’t know this but, when a regular person without training attempts to save another person from drowning, that person is in double the danger than the actual person drowning, because they will do anything to stay above water, including drowning you. So, if you even have to think, ‘Is this dangerous?’ Avoid it.”