This is one area where we have huge advantages over professional rescue personnel.  Strong boaters can pretty much place their boats almost anywhere on the river and get very close to a victim.  Often, the challenge is getting out in a safe manner so you can apply leverage.  Boaters may be tempted to tow swamped boats which is fine only if you have a quick release system.  A flipped boat is also a dynamite flotation device providing far more flotation than your PFD.

In a number of rescues, response time is critical.  Often, paddling directly to the victim is the fastest way to get there and start the rescue effort.  Strong boaters can pretty much put their boat anywhere in a rapid or at least get close enough to rock hop in a few minutes.  All of us carry throw ropes (or should).  Many also carry carabineers and perhaps a pulley or two.  Throwing a rope from the accident site is often easier than from shore.  For one thing all you need is distance, accuracy doesn't matter.  Large craft like canoes and rafts make an excellent and safe platform for rescue activities.  They can also be used to haul out an injured boater.  The boat in skilled hands is a very versatile tool.

• Often fastest and easiest technique for boaters, but potentially high risk
• Essential to critically evaluate personal boating skill
• Many uses for boats
• Ferries for people and equipment
• Tool to sprint for help
• Paddle recovery
• Boat recovery
• Self rescue
• Swimmer rescues and assists

If your are approaching a large ledge of water fall, the passive back stroke can be dangerous.  When you cross the ledge, your feet will drop first leaving them very exposed to underwater obstructions.  It is better to curl up into a cannon ball and leave nothing exposed.  Recirculating holes can be a bit tricky and nerve racking.  Each cycle is going to push you underwater.  You need to time your breathing to catch air each time you surface.  If the hole is deep, you may be able to use the momentum when you drop to swim out the bottom of the hole - simple stroke a bit on the way down.  Avoid the temptation of taking off your PFD.  Many PFD's like Astra's have lots of adjustment straps and don't have a zipper either.  They are difficult enough to take off on shore, forget about it in moving water.  Once freed from the hole, you will need the flotation downstream to stay on the surface of the water.  More shallow holes may have breaks in the middle or on the ends.  Work your way to a break and the hole will usually kick you out.  Sometimes simply changing your shape a bit either balling up or stretching out will cause the hole to kick you out.

Ferrying while swimming is also the same technique you use when boating.  Keep your head up so you can see where you are going, set a ferry angle somewhere around 45^o to balance your upstream swimming against the downstream current and swim hard.  Faster water uses a smaller angle and very slow water you can simply swim directly across at a 90^o angle.  Some advocate a mad dash perpendicular to the river.  This may be effective for a very short dash but exposes the full body to the current and will quickly sweep you downstream.  The ferry angle is the only way to go when crossing a wide stream with current.