Temperature - The water temperature will affect both the victim's survival and the rescuer's ability to work in the water. Just because it is warm outside does not mean the water is warm. If it is a cold water drowning, always continue resuscitation until the patient is rewarmed at the hospital. Force of moving water is very deceptive. It is unsafe to walk in fast moving water over knee depth, if a foot gets trapped the force of the moving water can push a person over and hold them underwater.
Victim is trapped against object as the water passes through.
Shallow water may indicate the possibility of a spinal cord injury. Hazardous materials in the water can be a danger to the rescuers and have an affect on the survival of the patient. A car in the water may be leaking oil or gas, which will float on the surface and cause a respiratory risk for patients or rescuers as they swim. Flood situations can cause sewage in normally safe waters. Severe bleeding of the patient can be an infection control issue for in water rescuers.