For the Reporter

A woman was rescued off the Green River on Saturday by Kent Fire Department firefighters after she and her air mattress began floating down the river from where she was enjoying the day with her family.

Emergency responders first got the call at 4:45 p.m. that a woman, not wearing a life jacket, was unable to get back to shore and was floating down the river from an unknown starting point. At several points along the river, the woman grabbed onto objects that held her stationary for short periods of time before losing her grip and floating again.

When members of the Kent Fire Department Surface Water Rescue Team got to her in an inflatable boat, the woman had climbed onto a log. Unfortunately, she had lost her air mattress and was stuck. The SWRT got the patient to shore and back to her family. After being checked out medically to ensure that she was not injured or hypothermic, the woman was allowed to leave the scene.

While this incident ended safely, firefighters throughout the area are preparing for other river and lake rescues as the spring weather begins to warm up. There are several things the public can do to increase their own safety before venturing into the water.

• Always have a buddy and a cellphone in a waterproof bag to call for help, if necessary.

• Always wear a fitted life jacket that has a U.S. Coast Guard seal of approval.

• Never mix alcohol and water sports.

• Always supervise children and pets when near any body of water.

• Never over estimate your swimming abilities.

Water in the Green River is about 48 degrees, close to the same temperature as Puget Sound. There are many exposed rocks and trees that can easily trap a person or flip a raft over.