Level 2: Essentials of River Safety & Rescue

Article Index

Page 3 of 4

Swimming	Pins
Essential self-rescue and access tool	Avoid getting pinned or entrapped by recognizing hazards
Safe eddy rule, don’t try to stand in swift current	Pin mechanics
Defensive and aggressive swimming	Balance between gravity, friction, and force of water
Breathing techniques	Types of pins
Defensive to aggressive transitions	Vertical, center broach, end to end, pinch pin
Crossing eddy lines	Release by unbalancing forces
Ferry techniques	Tag line on boat for recovery after release
Swiftwater entries	Consider what happens when the boat releases
Modified belly flop; head and feet up, impact on the PFD	Stabilization line to support trapped victim
Set ferry angle	Self rescue
Protect face with crossed arms - swimming with gear	Avoidance, high side to avoid inverting, wiggle off the rock, bail out
Handling strainers, holes and drops (discussion)	If all participants are safe, waiting for low water may be a viable option
Wading	Entrapment
Safe eddy rule	High risk; hands-on rescue places rescuers near the entrapping object
Swim instead of fighting for marginal footing	Avoid by hazard recognition, appropriate swimming techniques, and appropriate outfitting
Water depth, water speed, bottom conditions affect performance	Most commonly foot entrapments, strainers, or trapped in a boat
Maintain balance	Keep victim heads up with stabilization line
“Look with your toes”	Snag line to release foot entrapments
One person with paddle/prop
Two person
Boat-based rescue
Often fastest and easiest technique for boaters, but potentially high risk
Many uses for boats
Ferries for people and equipment
Tool to sprint for help
Paddle recovery
Throw, two paddles in hand, put in your boat
Boat recovery
Boat recovery bulldozer or shove
Set a ferry angle
Self rescue
Hold boat and paddle in one hand when swimming with gear
Set a ferry angle
Boat stays downstream of victim
Swimmer rescues and assists
Assisting victims back into boats
Strengths and limitations of canoes, kayaks and rafts
Stern and bow tows

Level 2: Essentials of River Safety and Rescue

Article Index

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