Anonymous
Post 06/17/2026 12:36     Subject: Great Falls Drowning
Thanks for starting a thread, OP, so DCUM can be snarky and judgmental and totally unsympathetic. Much appreciated.
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2026 12:34     Subject: Great Falls Drowning
Anonymous wrote:The deceased looks very attractive + charismatic in his pics. Such a sad story.

I was a lifeguard and swim teacher for many years in HS + college. Sadly, many US cities closed public pools so many people never learned to swim.


Sad, true, irrelevant.

No one, not even a strong swimmer, should try to swim across the Potomac at Great Falls. It is deadly dangerous to attempt it. That’s the point of all the posted warnings.
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2026 12:30     Subject: Great Falls Drowning
Anonymous wrote:I know there are signs there but on a nice, sunny Sunday, you think there would have been Park Rangers or more people that would have seen the group and told them to get out of the water.


And who would be paying those extra park rangers? NPS budget doesn’t cover it.
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2026 12:29     Subject: Great Falls Drowning
The deceased looks very attractive + charismatic in his pics. Such a sad story.

I was a lifeguard and swim teacher for many years in HS + college. Sadly, many US cities closed public pools so many people never learned to swim.
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2026 11:28     Subject: Great Falls Drowning
I know there are signs there but on a nice, sunny Sunday, you think there would have been Park Rangers or more people that would have seen the group and told them to get out of the water.
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2026 11:11     Subject: Great Falls Drowning
When I was growing up in DC, every spring my dad would point out these stories as cautionary tales. Every year on warm, pretty days.
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2026 10:53     Subject: Great Falls Drowning
Anonymous wrote:It's enraging. There are signs everywhere that swimming leads to drowning deaths. The park rangers could not be more clear on this. Rescuers' lives are on the line every time they attempt a rescue or recovery operation.

We're a BCC family and I have a kid the same age as this young man. I just feel rage. What prompted him to do this???


I think it was just a nice day and a few 20-year-olds were swimming back and forth between MD and VA. Tragic.
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2026 08:30     Subject: Great Falls Drowning
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Is it no longer common knowledge that you never ever swim in the Potomac?
It's a big river. On any given weekend, hundreds of people will be swimming in it.


Stop spreading lethal disinformation on DCUM. At Great Falls, it is forbidden to go into the water unless you're an expert kayaker. You are not supposed to swim in it, let alone try to cross to the other side.



Please make sure your friends, family and especially children know that swimming in the Potomac is dangerous.
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2026 08:29     Subject: Great Falls Drowning
It's enraging. There are signs everywhere that swimming leads to drowning deaths. The park rangers could not be more clear on this. Rescuers' lives are on the line every time they attempt a rescue or recovery operation.

We're a BCC family and I have a kid the same age as this young man. I just feel rage. What prompted him to do this???
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2026 08:23     Subject: Great Falls Drowning
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My children know I’m terrified of them swimming in open water but especially the Potomac and this is why.


Open water like a lake or ocean?


As someone who open water swims, the safety really depends on where you are.

River swims tend to be more dangerous and with the way the water moves around Great Falls, I wouldn't get close to that water.
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2026 08:20     Subject: Great Falls Drowning
Anonymous wrote:My children know I’m terrified of them swimming in open water but especially the Potomac and this is why.


Open water like a lake or ocean?
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2026 08:20     Subject: Great Falls Drowning
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Is it no longer common knowledge that you never ever swim in the Potomac?
It's a big river. On any given weekend, hundreds of people will be swimming in it.


Stop spreading lethal disinformation on DCUM. At Great Falls, it is forbidden to go into the water unless you're an expert kayaker. You are not supposed to swim in it, let alone try to cross to the other side.



And sadly, an experienced kayaker died just a few months ago very close to the same location.
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2026 08:18     Subject: Great Falls Drowning
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Is it no longer common knowledge that you never ever swim in the Potomac?
It's a big river. On any given weekend, hundreds of people will be swimming in it.


Stop spreading lethal disinformation on DCUM. At Great Falls, it is forbidden to go into the water unless you're an expert kayaker. You are not supposed to swim in it, let alone try to cross to the other side.



And the expert part really needs to be emphasized. Kayakers die at Great Falls too:

https://www.insidenova.com/headlines/updated-kayaker-dies-after-potomac-river-accident-near-great-falls/article_b4fc587d-aa91-4167-8f1b-8b986d0fb52d.html
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2026 08:11     Subject: Great Falls Drowning
My children know I’m terrified of them swimming in open water but especially the Potomac and this is why.
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2026 08:08     Subject: Great Falls Drowning
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Is it no longer common knowledge that you never ever swim in the Potomac?
It's a big river. On any given weekend, hundreds of people will be swimming in it.


Stop spreading lethal disinformation on DCUM. At Great Falls, it is forbidden to go into the water unless you're an expert kayaker. You are not supposed to swim in it, let alone try to cross to the other side.