How to stay cool on the hottest day of the year

Cooling off is the goal in Calgary after several days into a heat wave that is expected to spike Wednesday into the mid-thirties.

Cooling off is the goal in Calgary after several days into a heat wave that is expected to spike Wednesday into the mid-thirties.

Many people are finding relief in the Bow or Elbow rivers but officials remind people boating or floating to take precautions including always wearing life jackets that fit properly and are fastened.

“The water is gliding fast, it’s very cold and despite the heat you’re still at risk of hypothermia if you wind up in the water for an extended period of time,” said Carol Henke, a spokesperson for the Calgary Fire Department.

Firefighters have completed more than 20 water rescues over the past four days.

“That’s boats, rafts that have flipped over, people that are stuck on rocks or islands and can’t get off and they need us to come rescue them," said Henke.

Henke also warns people to always have an oar on-board and not to tie boats or rafts together.

“You don’t understand the strength of the current until you strike a bridge abutment and you get pinned there, and that’s where we really have to rescue people quickly because you’re at risk of drowning.”