When time is critical, paddling a boat to the victim is much faster than tossing lines, wading, or swimming. You can also see better from sitting in a boat than swimming. Sometimes you can also see the accident site much better from a boat than people on shore since you are closer and there are no boulders in your way. Before trying this type of rescue, you really need to ask yourself if your skills are adequate. How confident are you that you will not capsize, swim, and add to the rescue challenge? Is there any chance that your boat may get pinned or swept into a dangerous rapid, strainer, or other obstruction? Do you know how to handle a very panicked swimmer? Scared swimmers often grab what is convenient and that may be your waist which can pull you over. Think, then act.