A man who died while attempting to ‘hot pot’ in a hot spring at Yellowstone National Park ignored crucial safety guidelines.
While the natural splendor of Yellowstone National Park is unparalleled, it should not be mistaken for a risk-free environment.
The park’s hot springs pose extreme dangers due to their high temperatures, which can be misunderstood as merely warm-water areas. Recently, tourists had to flee for safety when one of these springs suddenly erupted.
Being one of the largest magma chambers globally, the park’s geothermal features are extremely hot, to the extent that even sea life cannot survive in them.
Though the volcanic waters might seem inviting, the park strongly advises against swimming in them.
Swimming in hot springs can be deadly, a lesson tragically learned by 23-year-old Colin Scott in June 2016.
When Colin decided that a hot spring was the perfect spot for ‘hot potting,’ he unknowingly sealed his fate.
After testing the water temperature with his finger, he slipped and fell in.
Colin was discovered dead later that day, and when rescue officials attempted to retrieve his body the following day, only his flip-flops and wallet were found. It is presumed that his remains were dissolved by the boiling water.
This tragedy could have been prevented if he had adhered to the park’s stringent safety rules.
According to the park’s website, while it’s the responsibility of visitors to ensure their safety around geothermal features, there are important guidelines designed to protect lives.
The guidelines recommend that all visitors should ‘always walk on boardwalks or designated trails’ as the ground around thermal features is fragile and could give way, leading to a person falling into the boiling water.
Another safety tip is to avoid touching thermal features or runoff, as temperatures can reach 200 degrees and higher (93°C).
The park also advises against wading or swimming in the thermal features. They state that ‘more than 20 people have died from intentionally entering or falling into hot springs’—Colin Scott being one of them.
Pets are also not allowed in thermal areas. The website specifies: “If you do bring your pet, they must be within 100 feet of roads, parking areas, and campgrounds at all times. They are not allowed on boardwalks or in any thermal areas.
“In October 2021, for example, a visitor was seriously burned after her dog escaped her vehicle and jumped into a thermal feature (unfortunately, the dog did not survive).”
Lastly, if you drop any belongings into the water, resist the urge to retrieve them. The National Park warns that reaching in could result in severe burns or a missing limb.
Make sure to read and follow the park’s rules to ensure a safe visit. If in doubt, consider visiting a beach instead.