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vehicle will sink in, effectively increasing the water level
on the vehicle. Be sure to consider this when determining
the depth and the ability to safely cross.
• Crossing Puddles, Pools, Flooded Areas Or Other
Standing Water – Puddles, pools, flooded or other
standing water areas normally contain murky or
muddy waters. These water types normally contain
hidden obstacles and make it difficult to determine an
accurate water depth, approach angle, and bottom
condition. Murky or muddy water holes are where
you want to hook up tow straps prior to entering. This
makes for a faster, cleaner and easier vehicle recovery.
If you are able to determine you can safely cross, than
proceed using the low and slow method.
CAUTION!
Muddy waters can reduce the cooling system effec-
tiveness by depositing debris onto the radiator.
• Crossing Ditches, Streams, Shallow Rivers Or Other
Flowing Water –
Flowing water can be extremely dan-
gerous. Never attempt to cross a fast running stream or
river even in shallow water. Fast moving water can easily
push your vehicle downstream sweeping it out of control.
Even in very shallow water, a high current can still wash
the dirt out from around your tires putting you and your
vehicle in jeopardy. There is still a high risk of personal
injury and vehicle damage with slower water currents in
depths greater than the vehicle’s running ground clear-
ance. You should never attempt to cross flowing water
which is deeper than the vehicle’s running ground clear-
ance. Even the slowest current can push the heaviest
vehicle downstream out of control if the water is deep
enough to push on the large surface area of the vehicle’s
body. Before you proceed determine the speed of the
current, the water’s depth, approach angle, bottom con-
dition and if there are any obstacles, then cross at an angle
heading slightly upstream using the low and slow tech-
nique.
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