Red Deer Emergency Services and police rescued three stranded rafters on the Red Deer River late Tuesday night.
The trio, all in their 20s, started late on the river and did not make arrangements to be picked up.
One rafter texted a parent who later called police and emergency services around 11 p.m.
No one was injured, but all were wet and cold.
Police said “alcohol was a factor.” Two of the three rafters were under the influence of alcohol. No charges are expected.
But police are reminding the public to make a plan and follow a few simple guidelines before heading out for a float on the Red Deer River:
• Don’t drink alcohol prior to or while on the river.
• Know your put-in and take-out points, and tell someone your itinerary.
• Wear a life-jacket and take extra clothes.
• Take a boat appropriate for the river, not a pool toy.
• Don’t tie boats together.
• Wear sunscreen and drink water.
The community is also reminded that when emergency services personnel are called out for a river rescue, it can take away resources that could be used elsewhere.