RETHROG: Reach, Throw, Row (Paddle), Go.  A clever acronym adopted by the Boy Scouts to help people order rescue techniques by personal safety risks.  Extension rescues are reaching methods.  We can make fast and simple rescues by reaching the victim (or object) with a wide variety of tools:

• Paddle
• Arm/Hand
• Guide Belt
• Stick
• Even a boat from an eddy

With most of these techniques, if we feel we are in danger we can simply let go and try a different method.  If you have access to FaceBook, this video shows an excellent example: Water Rescue.