Make sure you’re prepared before things get soggy.

Extreme water-related weather events like monsoons and tornadoes can be frequent events in certain regions of the country like Southern Arizona. Now that monsoon season is approaching, the message heard repeatedly is “turn around, don’t drown.” But every year, some choose to ignore this message and take their chances with the torrential downpours.

The men and women who make up Southern Arizona’s fire departments and first responder teams specifically train for potentially catastrophic events like this. Rural Metro Fire Battalion Chief John Walka explains how his team, like others in the area, perform swift water rescues.

“The water is always changing direction,” said Walka. “It’s always moving around, and there are so many hazards that you cannot see.”

One of the most obvious key steps for these types of rescues is learning how to operate in water in the first place.

“Typically, we do basic water safety in a pool with still water, without fast-moving water,” said Walka. “They have to know basic rope rescue knots and systems as well in order to do that.”

In the situation that someone is ever caught in a crossing, knowing how to use ladders, rescue rings and working together is key.

“We typically have to train in formations when we go out there into this fast-moving water,” said Walka.

The time of day and the type of crossing a rescue is being performed in all factor into the rescue operation.

“Some are much more dangerous than others,” said Walka. “Some are deeper than others. Some are more fast-moving than others.”

First responders want to stress the importance of employing common sense and turning away from areas that have rising water.