My youngest son is now almost 38 years old. When he was not quite a year old, I was carrying him in a baby backpack with my other two children beside me, wading across the river outlet at Santa Cruz, California. I had seen a number of people make the crossing, so I assumed it was save.
It wasn't. The strong current washed us out toward the ocean, dressed in winter clothing and unable to swim. I was lucky to grab the last rock out, the barnacles slicing into my skin. Some teenagers helped us out and we were OK, but we were very close to drowning - all four of us.
I was trained as a lifeguard and I'm a pretty good swimmer, but not in winter clothing with a baby strapped to my back. I'm glad we survived.

-Joe-