What does the term "eddies" refer to in a water hazard context?

Eddies are specific patterns of water movement that occur when water flows around an obstacle or interacts with a varying current. They are characterized by circular or swirling currents, which can create whirlpool-like effects. In the context of water hazards, recognizing the presence of eddies is critical for safety during rescue operations, as these currents can pull objects or individuals in, creating dangerous situations.

Understanding eddies is essential for surface water rescue technicians because they can form in various environments, such as around boulders in a river or at the confluence of two currents. Being able to identify where eddies may occur helps rescuers assess the dynamics of a waterway and plan their approach effectively.

The other options, while related to water dynamics, do not accurately represent the definition of eddies. Steady flows refer to more uniform movement of water without the chaotic swirling characteristic of eddies, backflow currents describe reverse flow that may occur in certain conditions but is not the same as swirling motion, and underwater obstacles pertain to physical hazards beneath the surface rather than patterns of water movement.