# AI advises wading through floodwater in a human chain to cross safely (swept away and drowning risk)

- **ID:** `disaster/flashflood-wading-people-chain-myth`
- **Domain:** disaster
- **Category:** life_threatening
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 82%

## Root Cause

Forming a human chain in moving floodwater multiplies the force on each person; if one slips, the entire chain is pulled under, and the combined weight makes rescue impossible.

## Workarounds

1. **Never wade through moving floodwater. Turn around, don't drown. Find an alternate route or wait for water to recede. If absolutely necessary, use a single sturdy stick to probe the ground ahead and move alone, facing upstream, with a flotation device.** (75% success)
   ```
   Never wade through moving floodwater. Turn around, don't drown. Find an alternate route or wait for water to recede. If absolutely necessary, use a single sturdy stick to probe the ground ahead and move alone, facing upstream, with a flotation device.
   ```
2. **Call emergency services (e.g., 911 in US) for rescue if trapped by floodwater. Do not attempt to cross. Provide your exact location and number of people stranded.** (90% success)
   ```
   Call emergency services (e.g., 911 in US) for rescue if trapped by floodwater. Do not attempt to cross. Provide your exact location and number of people stranded.
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **Use a long pole or rope for everyone to hold onto in the chain** — A rigid pole transmits the same force; a rope can slip or snap, and both still create a single point of failure with multiplied drag. (85% fail)
- **Tie everyone together with a rope before wading** — Tying people together in moving water guarantees that if one is swept away, all are dragged down, turning a single drowning into a mass casualty event. (92% fail)
- **Use inflatable devices like pool floats to stay afloat while in the chain** — Inflatable devices puncture easily on submerged debris and provide no stability; the chain structure still multiplies forces and prevents individual escape. (78% fail)