Water safety warnings ahead of weekend warmup in Oregon, Southwest Washington

With warm weather approaching, emergency officials are urging people to find safe ways to cool off this weekend.

Temperatures are expected to reach into the mid-to-upper 80s across most of northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington Sunday. Forecasters with the National Weather Service say some areas including the Portland-Vancouver metro area could see temperatures reach 90 degrees.

Emergency officials are anticipating an increase in recreational activities this weekend as people seek relief from the heat. For many, that includes taking a dip in many of the state’s rivers and lakes.

Deputy John Plock, a spokesperson with the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, said while air temperatures are expected to rise this weekend, many waterways will remain dangerously cold.

People who suddenly immerse themselves in water that is 50 degrees or colder could experience “cold shock,” he said.

“There’s some physical reactions that happen, and they’re really kind of involuntary,” Plock said. “One of them is a sharp gasp reflex, so your body just naturally gasps for air and if you’re underwater when that happens, then you’re going to get a bunch of water in your lungs, and it unfortunately causes people to drown.”

According to the NWS, roughly 20% of people who fall into cold water die within the first minute of immersion due to cold water shock.

Plock recommends wearing a life jacket and a wet suit to help combat the cold water shock and increase the chances of survival.

“We strongly encourage everybody who gets in the water — whether or not you consider yourself a good swimmer — when the water is this cold, it’s really important to have a life jacket on,” he said.

Officials recommend minimizing your time in cold water as much as possible. If you do fall in, try your best to remain calm and control your breathing.

In addition to alerting people about the dangers of cold water, officials are reminding people of the risks of hiking in hot weather.

Sgt. Brian Gerkman is the lead search and rescue coordinator with the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office. He suggests bringing plenty of water, especially when temperatures are expected to rise, to avoid dehydration.

“Water is always crucial,” he said. “Bring plenty of water, more water than you think you’re going to need.”

Gerkman is also reminding people who plan to hike this weekend that they should be prepared for possible hazards.

“While it’s been very nice and summer-like weather, it’s still spring, and the days are short,” he said. “We’re having people start their hikes too late in the day and are not prepared to hike into the dark. It also gets very cold once the sun goes down, so we want to remind people to be prepared with the proper clothing.”

Other helpful items include food, a first-aid kit, a compass or GPS device, and an extra battery pack for your cellphone.

He also recommends people who are planning a hike to let family and friends know where and when they’re going, in case there’s an issue.