When searching the water margin one of the biggest dangers is bankside collapse. Searchers should be trained to be aware of this danger and use extreme caution particularly if they cross over walls or fences to gain access to the river – they are usually there for a good reason!
Always remember river banks are often undermined and inherently unstable.
The Shot below shows a typical view we get as a searcher; trees often give a false sense of security and draw searchers to the edge.
Same location seen from the side, showing the unstable nature of the bank and severe undercutting.
