Author Archives: Abigail Polsby

Carlson River Boards; An Excellent Rescue Tool

Every year, I have the pleasure of working with the US Border Patrol Swiftwater Rescue Instructors. We concentrate on improving teaching techniques, getting out on the water together, and being sure to all stay on the same page. BORSTAR, like the National Park Service, and may other SAR teams, commonly use river boards as rescue tools and adjuncts. During the above mentioned BORSTAR training, 4 of us were able to execute the rescue of a solo kayaker; cold, lonely, scared, and stranded on the opposite side of a 48 degree river. He was stranded due to a swim at a roadside paddling spot, late in the day, and underestimating both the water temp and the speed of the water. With our river boards, we were able to complete the “rescue” in about 7 minutes. One board for the swimmer, one board to tow the kayak, one board to keep an eye on things, and one board to retrieve the paddle. Within minutes, he was warming up in his car, and his kayak was secured back on his roof.

The beauties of the Carlson River Board include the quick learning curve, the soft surface, the 160 pounds of flotation, the extra handles, and the durability. It is quick and easy to deploy, and makes a great access tool, if even just to gain a better understanding of the circumstances, or have a conversation with the person in distress. We incorporate river boards into every Water course we do for Agencies, including the SRT and SRT-A, to be sure folks that have consistent swiftwater in their jurisdictions recognize this valuable resource is available.

So; why are they not in EVERY Swiftwater Rescue cache? Here are a couple misunderstanding about the boards.

REASON 1: FINS ARE EVERYTHING! The absolute worst thing that happened to the use of river boards was the so called: SAR fin. Success on a riverboard is all about having a fin that gives both power and steerage. The SAR fin provides NEITHER! Unless you are a lifeguard who can paddle or kick with any hindrance, the SAR fin is just a sea anchor in the water. Normal people like myself, cannot go ANYWHERE with those fins on. The SAR fins are commonly used within Rescue Agencies because they “fit” over a boot, and then the riverboard gets the bad name! I hear comments like “riverboarding sucks” or “ I can’t get anywhere on the board” almost EXLCUSIVELY from folks that are using these fins. Take off your work boots, put on some hard soled booties, and some Churchill Fins (or equivalent) and your experience will completely change!

REASON 2: IT IS AN ADVANCED TECHNICIAN LEVEL SKILL: Yes, it is a water skill. It is a craft that can be used to accomplish NFPA 1670 2017 17.3.3, which requires a technician to perform a swiftwater rescue from a rescue platform. You must have the ability to self- rescue, and train with it as any other tool we have in our rescue cache. Learning to control and use a riverboard effectively can be much more practical, useful and achievable than gaining the extensive skill necessary to control a boat. It is a craft that is best operated “un-tethered”. Rope drag in the water only makes it more difficult to navigate. Most rescues should be done rope free. With proper training, and a thorough knowledge of what is downstream, the river board is easy to paddle out, extend as an adjunct, and kick on the board with the victim, or kick back to shore towing the victim. It is a tool that is best used in its “simplest” form. This is not to say it cannot be tethered, and used to pendulum someone off of a car, or mid channel obstacle; but access is most likely best accomplished without the use of a rope.

Riverboards provide versatile access.

I also have the pleasure of working with the Yosemite SAR Rangers each year. Many of their “rescues” are simple “assists” due to the almost exclusive use of river boards when it is safe to access. The great thing about a river board is that it can be deployed from almost anywhere. No boat ramps needed! Almost all of the actual rescues I have been involved in over the past few years have also involved using a river board. From assisting non-swimmers back to shore who have fallen out of an inner tube, or commercial raft, to accessing an island with someone stuck in a strainer. These have all been simple assists due to the efficiency and effectiveness of the river board.

You don’t hear much about river board rescues because by the time someone shows up with a camera, or a go-pro, the rescue is complete! ~Julie Munger

High Water Safety and Rescue: A few safety tips…

In CA this year, we are experiencing consistent high flows! It is great, it is fun, and there is enthusiasm and excitement amongst raft guides, and their paddlers. Finally, the rivers are running, and currently, they are not in “flood”; but many of the rivers in the State are flowing at what is considered “high water”. Big waves, fast current, punchy hydraulics and a completely full river bed, are some of the characteristics that represent high water. When the water is moving fast, and is cold; while providing opportunities for more fun; river safety and rescue must be managed a bit differently than in a lower flow environment.

Here are some basic safety tips for dealing with the higher, faster, colder flows.

All raft passengers must be dressed for the temperature of the water, and be trained in basic self rescue skills. If someone ends up in the water, they may need to take a more aggressive roll in their own self rescue. They need to demonstrate the ability to swim, follow instructions, and not panic if they enter the water. Training could potentially reduce the impacts of Cold Water Shock by relieving some of the anxiety that comes with an unexpected swim later in the day.
Any swimmer or boat flip is a team event. All boats must run close enough to offer immediate assistance in the case of swimmers, or a flip. Stern frames in paddle boats offer increased mobility and power to not only stay upright in big waves, but also offer fast and powerful chase. With a stern frame, there is the added ability to turn and row fast downstream to chase any swimmers.
Professionally trained safety kayakers are a great addition to any rafting trip at high water. Their professionalism and training has prepared them to help keep a group together, provide downstream containment of swimmers, help with communication, and assist in getting anyone in the water back to a boat, or another safe place.
Every group entering a high water environment must have a plan for safety! This will involve preplanned rescue techniques and priorities. The highest priority should be keeping EVERYONE OUT of the water, and if anyone does go into the water having a tight boat order and pre-plan for getting everyone back OUT of the water quickly. Swimmers MUST be prioritized over equipment! Carry enough extra paddles so that rescuing paddles is not a priority, and only a convenience.
This is a good time to use foot cups, thwart handles, perimeter lines, and a bow to stern line on the bottom of the boat for easy access if the boat is upside down. While any kind of rigging has its added dangers, making rafts easy to stay in, climb on and stay with is important. Foot cups and thwart handles will provide stability and a good hold on place in the middle of the boat. Perimeter lines make it easier to say with the boat if in the water. If a boat is upside down, people on top of an upside down boats are out of the water and easier to account for. The bow to stern line makes it easier to get there, and stay there.

Rescue must be pre-planned and prioritized for a flipped boat. Each river is going to have a different set of variables. The plan for a flip needs to be oriented towards getting folks out of the water, and keeping them out of the water. In general, a Plan A should involve folks on top of the upside down boat, in other boats, and being pushed into an eddy. This keeps everyone out of the water the fastest, in general. Other situations may warrant a rescue with a second boat. If passengers are rescued by a second boat, a paddle boat can easily be re-righted from inside that second boat, and then re-populated with its paddlers in a continuous river between rapids. Guides re-righting boats mid-current may be warranted in some extreme situations; although, in general, this means passengers stay in the water longer and have more opportunities to get separated. This process is also often more tedious, and difficult than can be planned for.
Additional Kayak Specific Safety Tip: While most of the above directly applies to kayakers, as well; in addition, you must have a BOMB PROOF roll for the difficulty of water you are paddling. As always, know your fellow paddlers, have a plan, and paddle within your ability levels.

It is all about TEAMWORK and having a PREPLAN in a mishap. Everyone must participate. Raft passengers, other guides, kayakers. Any kind of flip, or swimmers, at high water is a team rescue event. The fast water causes people to be separated from the boat quicker than at lower flows.

All of these safety and rescue tips must be assessed for the individual rivers, the flows, and the folks paddling in it. Have a PLAN! Do everything you can to stay upright, and on line with everyone in the boat. And then have a Plan A. And then add a Plan B; and potentially even a Plan C!

Be safe, be pro-active, be prepared; and then go have fun out there!

~Julie Munger, Co-Founder of Sierra Rescue

To Flip, or not to Flip; A Note:

One of the most challenging situations that a group of whitewater rafters face is an upside down raft, with clients, or friends, now in the river. No matter where the raft flip is, it is most likely that at least one of the people in the swift water is terrified in this new environment. Passengers go from being on top of this huge rubber floating object, to now being submerged into a completely unfamiliar environment with the challenge not only of being underwater for a certain amount of time, but also having to deal with the surface water waves, obstacles, and the total disorientation that occurs when being at face level with the river. If the water is cold, we now know that fear or anger, combined with cold water, can create extreme heart stress in the form of Cold Water Shock. This situation should never be taken lightly. It requires a good pre-plan, as well as, the cooperation and assistance of every other raft on the trip to make this as short, and comfortable situation for everyone as possible.

My credibility for writing on this river safety topic comes from 40 years of whitewater experience. My first commercial river trip was on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon in 1976. Since then, my whitewater career has included working as a commercial river guide on the Class 5 section of Cherry Creek in California during the early 90’s as both a paddle guide and oarswoman, Operations Manager for Steve Currey expeditions for many years on the Bio Bio and Futaleufu Rivers in Chile, first descents and expeditions in Russia, Nepal, Central Asia, Indonesia, and U.S. Women’s Rafting Team from 1985-2001. Over the past 15 years I have transitioned into teaching Swiftwater Rescue, and have heard, and compiled information and stories from river guides around the World. My personal experience includes steep, technical Class 5, as well as big water technical Class 5. It is with this background, that I approach this topic of dealing with a flipped raft.

This particular article is about the pro’s and con’s of the two approaches open to a river guide who has just flipped their raft. One, being immediately getting on top of the upside down raft, and grabbing folks from the river, and getting them up onto the upside down raft. The other approach, of course, is, as a guide, to get on the upside down raft, re-right the raft, and then pull people into the right side up raft.

Cataraft Almost Flipping

To answer this question, it is important to assess what is the best option for your passengers in the river. This is something that is always going to have to be assessed, and re-assessed based on a multitude of factors. The factors include: each passenger’s physical fitness and survivability in the river, the nature of the river, what is downstream, how close the other rafts are to be able to help assist in the rescue, where the guide ends up in the river, and how fast they can get onto the raft themselves. A raft flip is a team event; not an individual raft event.

When assessing which tactic to use; I think we can all agree that the primary goal is accountability of the raft passengers, and safe exit from the river of not only the passengers; but the guide. The goal is to get everyone out of the river, pull the trip back together, assess the condition of the folks after the flip, and continue downstream with excited and newly baptized people looking forward to what is to come.

So; with this said, what does the guide do once on top of the upside down raft? If we can agree on the goal of accountability and quick rescue from the river, there are some definite differences between the two approaches.

If the guide gets on top of the raft, he/she can immediately start to count heads, and help the other rafts locate all the people in the river. As she/he is counting, when on the upside down raft, it is possible to start plucking people from the river, and getting them onto the upside down raft. I personally saw a river guide get 4 people out of the water in between waves in a long rapid in the Grand Canyon called Sockdolager. He flipped the raft in the first wave, and by the third wave had all 4 passengers out of the water, and on the upside down raft. On a trip years later, I pulled a near drowned passenger from the water who had to wait until the bottom of the rapid for rescue because the river guide tried through the whole rapid to re-right the raft, only to be thrown off the raft each time. The point being that getting people immediately up onto the upside down raft is most likely the fastest, and most assured way, of getting people out of the river, and getting a head count. Obviously, this is going to be different depending on where the raft flips. If the raft flips in a big hydraulic, it is more likely people will come up farther from the raft, than in a long wave train.

Oar Raft Flipping

If a guide decides to re-right the raft; there are more variables than if everyone is on top of the upside down raft. There is the moment when the guide is on top of the raft, with the potential to get folks out of the water; but instead, the hope is that there will be a better environment for everyone in the right side up raft. It will be easier to paddle to shore, etc. The critical time gap is during the actual re-right of the raft. At this point, many different things can happen. Folks that may be holding onto the raft now must let go as the raft comes over. This is an opportunity for them to be separated from the raft. It is also possible that they will NOT let go; which could make re-righting the raft harder; or potentially impossible. It is also possible that the guide will “miss” the re-right, or get separated from the raft again after re-righting the raft. Once the raft is right side up, the guide must now climb back into the right side up raft before being able to be of further assistance. Any of us who have flipped in big water know how completely exhausting this whole process can be. When we used to raft race on rivers like the Futaleufu and the Zambezi, we would practice re-righting in huge rapids. Even though we were well trained athletes, usually, there was 1 or 2 of us that really struggled. While getting into the raft in an eddy, or under lesser conditions, can be an easy task; when winded, the side of the raft can look like a small mountain to climb, and that one last pull up daunting.

In my experience, some of the most devastating stories I have heard occurred during the above process. A good friend of mine resuscitated a drowning victim on the Karnali, in Nepal, after thinking he was going downstream after “paddles”; only to find a person, face down, in an eddy; unaccounted for by the group in the separation after the raft flip.

What does this all boil down to? Actually…training! No matter which option you choose, everyone on the trip must be aware of the plan, and there must be a good plan to get everyone out of the river in the fastest, and safest way possible. Passengers in the raft must know the plan, and be trained with the plan. If the river warrants a potential self rescue of a flipped raft, then passengers should be physically trained in the process before it happens; as a minimum, in flat water. All passengers should be trained in what TO DO. They will be an active part of the raft recovery process.

Paddling Flipped Raft on River

In our Swiftwater Rescue courses, we choose to teach folks to get on top of the upside down raft, get folks on top of it, and paddle it to an eddy. We rig VERY tight perimeter lines and a VERY tight bow to stern line on the bottom of the raft. This gives an easy way to climb up on the raft, and a center line for folks to hold onto so as not to fall off the raft during a rapid. We have our folks practice paddling the raft, through rapids, upside down to show the maneuverability of the raft. It is our belief that re-righting a raft immediately after a flip must be practiced and applied to a very specific environment in which it has been determined that is the most beneficial rescue technique. Some of those environments could potentially include: long rapids where the guide is the only one near the raft, big wide open rivers where paddling to an eddy is not an easy possibility, and there is enough recovery time for self rescue by the whole crew; and others that are determined by the guides themselves. The key is to have a plan; and have everyone on the same page with that plan; and to train passengers for their own survival.

Our transition in the way we teach this came after two different students left our courses after practicing very FUN re-righting drills in rapids. Whatever you practice is most likely what you will resort to first under distress. One of the guides tried to re-right an oar paddle combination on the Merced River, in cold water, through two different rapids with the passengers clinging to the side. By the time another raft got to the passengers, they were terrified and hypothermic. They would have been totally safe, and happy on the upside down raft; and there was nothing in the river that would have presented as a hazard to them on the upside down raft. The other incident was a high water trip on a class 3 section of river in which the guide tried for a series of rapids to re-right the raft until he became exhausted, and in the water, and he too; had to be rescued. Some of his passengers due to the spacing on the trip were not retrieved until they hit slow water at the reservoir about 5 miles downstream.

We choose to train people to get on top of the upside down raft and retrieve passengers. From this baseline, they can go out into the world of whitewater and adapt to new rivers, new environments, and new ways of doing things. Anyone who plans to re-right a raft mid rapid needs to train hard in that environment, and be physically fit. It must be practiced, and practiced, and getting into the right side up raft should be EASY! Regardless of which technique you decide on; make sure to communicate with each other; and have a plan. The rest of the trip should plan on having to get each person out of the river, and have a good plan for downstream containment. What the guide does on the flipped raft, is just one piece in a complicated puzzle.

~Julie Munger, Co-Founder of Sierra Rescue

Backcountry Impalements

Whether from Sticks or stakes, branches or rebar, impalements can be a backcountry problem to contend with. In the field of wilderness medicine, there are specific protocols pertaining to impalements and how to manage them in a remote setting. These guidelines are attributed to the assessment and location of the impalement injury.

tent stake to the arm

Core impalement. Impalements to the head, face, trunk and other core parts of the body are usually left in place. Primary focus should be on bleeding control and secondary efforts to stabilize the object in place with sterile bulky dressing. Minimizing movement of the impalement will help to reduce subsequent damage. In some cases when the impalement is from a larger object, consider reducing the size of the object to facilitate evacuation. Impalements to the eyes get special attention. Not only does the object require stabilization in place over the affected eye, but the unaffected eye needs to be covered since movement of one eye is linked to the other.
Extremity Impalement. Wilderness medicine guidelines suggest that impalements to the extremities can be removed to facilitate evacuation. If your patient can or needs to self evacuate, prior removal of the impaled object can help. Proper wound management will help minimize the risk of infection. In some cases extremity impalements remain stabilized in place.
Basic Life Support. Any impalement that interferes with a basic life support intervention can be removed. For example, if CPR is indicated based on patient assessment, and an impalement would impede proper CPR, the removal of the impalement is acceptable

Some common impalements in the wilderness result from tree fall and falls onto downed trees, campfire related tools and objects, and slips and falls along riverbanks where beavers have left behind sharp stubs. Recognition of potential threats and prevention can help to reduce the likelihood of impalements.

Southern Sierras: Sierra Rescue Expands presence

Sierra Rescue now has a stronger presence in the Southern Sierras. Sierra Rescue’s Zach Byars recently moved from Northern California and now is based in Ventura, California. This move has opened the door for more rescue trainings on southern sierra rivers such as the Kern and the Kawhea. Combined with the fact that both of those drainages hold running water this year, the southern training grounds are prime. Los angeles based Uber adventures has sent numerous participants to the Kern for whitewater rescue training this spring where participants hone techniques for descending Whitewater Class-C canyons. In addition to canyoneers and other outdoor enthusiasts, Southern California rescue agencies are sending personnel to the Kern for training that is a little closer to home.

The Kern provides an excellent and diverse training location with more than 60 miles of accessible terrain. Whitewater rapids ranging from class 2 through class 5+ affords the right challenge for any adventure seeker. The diverse nature of the river corridor is perfect for the wide ranges of classes that we teach. Between the upper Kern and Lower Kern is the town of Kernville, which serves a jumping off point, and base camp for all sorts of outdoor recreation. We are pleased to maintain a more consistent presence the southern sierras and strive to provide the best possible training courses for our students. Find a class and come train!

souther sierras swiftwater rescue- Kern River

Southern Sierras swiftwater rescue- Kern River

Wilderness Medicine Skills: Splinting

One of the key characteristics that defines a “wilderness” location, apart from the 1 hour away from definitive medial care, centers on the lack of available resources and the necessity to improvise. Though field teams and expeditions may have some first aid / rescue gear with them, in emergency situations there is very seldom a surplus of supplies. “Make do with what you have,” counters the Boy Scout mantra of, “always be prepared.” In the field of wilderness medicine, we teach students how to assess musculoskeletal injuries and treat them. In many cases treatment involves splinting. The focus of wilderness splinting centers on the need to restore good circulation and sensation, prevent further damage while attempting to make an unstable and unusable extremity more stable and more usable.

If you broke down the resources needed to build immobilization splints, they would fall into 3 main categories: 1) Rigid components, 2) Soft padding, and 3) wrappings attachments and coverings.

Rigid Components. Don’t overthink this one. Something that doesn’t flex too much will retain rigidity and support the injury. Sticks, Poles (trekking / skiing / tent) can do just that.
Soft padding is the key to comfort. It protects the appendage from further damage and occupies dead space in the splint. Gauze, clothing, foam, pads, moss, are some of the materials utilized for this purpose.
Wrappings and attachments are the key to a good splint, without which would fall apart. Ropes, string, braided vines, straps, strips of clothes all can be used to hold the splint together. Ideally the attachments are adjustable in some capacity. A few basic knots can really enhance your ability to build good splints.

Materials you may find in a first aid kit for splinting are a SAM splint, ACE bandage, and tape. These materials can get you started, but there may be a need for more. Devise and improvise.

If you’re taking the time to build a splint in the field, take the time to build it right the first time. A good splint should: Look good, Feel Good, and Work. A splint that works provides support and stability to the patient’s injured area and maintains or restores good circulation and sensation. Splint-building should be a fun puzzle and challenge yourself to make the best one you can. Your patient will thank you.

Swiftwater Rescue in Redwood National Park

As instructors of swiftwater rescue, we have the opportunity to train in some amazing environments with some very talented groups of people. From military special forces to recreational boaters, swiftwater rescue is applicable to a diverse cross section of the population. The National Park Service continues to be one of our favorite groups to work with. We have taught swiftwater rescue and whitewater rescue with the National Park Service in locations such as Grand Canyon, Grad Teton, Yosemite, Big Bend, Lassen, and Olympic national parks. Recently we had a training on the Smith River with Park Rangers in Redwood National Park. In the northern California park, some rangers lead scenic floats through the redwood groves, while others respond to distress calls on the river. Several Rivers crisscross through the park and they attract lots of attention from park visitors.

photo courtesy of Del Norte Triplicate / Bryan Anderson

The Del Norte Triplicate sent reporters to attend parts of course. After training and practice with some rescue techniques, instructors challenged the rangers with realistic water rescue scenarios. It’s always a learning experience says Sierra Rescue instructor Zach Byars, “even when the rescue goes wrong, there’s a lot to be learned. Thats why its called training.” The students made good progress throughout the course and left better prepared for water incidents that may happen in the future.

For more information on the Smith River training visit http://www.triplicate.com/News/Local-News/Learning-the-Ropes-Swift-water-rescue-training to read the full write-up.

swiftwater entry by Sierra Rescue instructor Zach Byars with Redwood National Park river rescue training

photo courtesy of Del Norte Triplicate / Bryan Anderson

Swiftwater Entry: Swim Smarter not Harder

A swiftwater entry doesn’t have to be graceful, it just has to gets the job done. A good swiftwater entry can make or break your swiftwater swim. Part superman, part belly flop, it involves extending yourself into the current and can give you the jump start you need to make your target. In our swiftwater rescue courses we tell students that its much easier to swim through air than it is in current. Though none of us is able to fly, the swiftwater entry maximizes your start, and minimizes the time you have to fight the force of the water. In essence, you hit the ground running, or in this case swimming. Start as low to the water surface as possible and jump out not up, making sure to keep you head up, not down like a dive. The higher above the water level you start the deeper you will drop upon entry, and the less propulsion your jump will provide.

Before any entry into swiftwater ensure proper PPE and set safety downstream. A thorough size-up of the water environment and the potential hazards is critical when considering to put personnel in the water. With practice and training, a good swiftwater entry can give you a leg up in challenging swiftwater swims.

Winter Instructor Training?

One of the greatest things about being a co-owner of Sierra Rescue, are the incredible folks that we get to work with. Although Abigail and I are the only employees of Sierra Rescue, we get to work with the absolutely most INCREDIBLE Independent Contractors, and have an amazing Sierra Rescue family that extends beyond National and International borders. Our network of folks that we talk with, work with, and are friends with makes me one of the luckiest people in the world!

Here is a quick check in on where some of our amazing affiliates are, and what they are up to right now.

Zach Byars is on one of the most incredible journeys of ALL! Lila Marie Byars was born a couple short weeks ago, and is already in training as the next generation! Zach and Tessa have moved to Ventur Zach and Lila a, and Tessa is now a very important part of Patagonia https://www.patagonia.com! A Company we believe in and support 100%. Although Zach is very happy to be at home now, he is getting out next week to teach an Awareness course sponsored by a UASI grant, http://www.sandiego.gov/fm/annual/pdf/fy14/vol2/v2ohs.pdf, to help keep the folks down in San Diego County more safe! Congratulations Zach!

Don and Theresa exploring!

Don Lester After teaching a Wilderness Medicine https://sierrarescue.com/course-info/wilderness-first-aid-courses/ and Whitewater and River Rescue https://sierrarescue.com/course-info/swiftwater-rescue-courses/ Instructor course for our Malaysian affiliate, Nomad Adventures nomadadventure.com and Rescue 3 Asia http://rescue3asiapacific.com over near Kuala Lumpur, Don is currently exploring the islands off the coast of Indonesia, with his wife Theresa! As I write, they are most likely Stand Up Paddleboarding around the Island of Komodo checking out the Komodo Dragons. Don will be back in February to start a full season of teaching!

Jessica Stoll is usually in Chile at this time of year working with the incredible Long Family! http://cascaderaft.com. Tren, Chad and Kenneth, who are also Rescue 3 International and Sierra Rescue Instructors, are currently training for the OLYMPICS! Yes, it is true! OC1 and OC2

Jess! Always smiling!

Tren, Chad and Kenneth can be supported at their Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/longfamilyracing/

Jess is currently working at Sierra At Tahoe http://www.sierraattahoe.com as a ski patroller in preparation for Paramedic school this summer. Today, she is in Angels Camp teaching a WFR recert to OARS www.oars.com Grand Canyon guides. As always, she is permanently smiling and loving life!

In other news! Aaron Root is just back from a pack rafting expedition with the owner of Salt River Rafting http://www.raftingsaltriver.com, James, and will be back with us this month, and out on the Salt River during the AWESOME season that is happening out there.

Abigail and I are headed to New Zealand to reunite with one of our favorite people in the WORLD! Rachael Moore! Rachael works to keep New Zealand rivers safe, and keep the river guide requirements in New Zealand some of the best in the world! Can’t wait to see you Rachael!

More coming soon on other Sierra Rescue https://sierrarescue.com/about-us/our-instructors/ and Rescue 3 International http://rescue3.com Instructors!

Happy Holidays! and Holiday Reflection on Safety and Rescue

International Rafting Federation Instructor Candidates pose after a run on the South Fork of the Payette River

Happy Holidays to all! It is great to be heading into the holiday season; and while keeping an eye on NOAA weather predictions http://www.noaa.gov/wx.html, paddling opportunities for the boaters, and getting Swiftwater and Flood Rescue and safety training https://sierrarescue.com/schedule/categories/swiftwater-rescue-courses/nfpa-fema-calfire-swiftwater-rescue-courses/swiftwater-rescue-technician-unit-1/ updated, we are also negotiating through a different sort of river of relatives and friends. We spend time in happy eddies chatting, telling stories around the tables and exchanging our cold beers or sodas for hot chocolate and toddies. As we negotiate through some of our more challenging and rewarding relationships, we also give pause to reflect on the year, and make plans for the year to come.

This is also a great time to look back on either your outdoor paddling life, or professional life as a rescuer; and not only look to the coming year, but take time to reflect on the amazing river trips or rescues of 2015. From a safety and rescue perspective, this is an opportunity to not be missed. Here are some thoughts for review, reflection and looking to the future!

1. Near Miss? Take a moment to reflect back on one moment when you feel like there was a “near miss”. It could be as simple as rescuing someone back into your boat, or as the safety officer, noticing a water knot tied incorrectly right before someone went over an edge. Ask yourself questions. What could I have done differently? Is there a lesson to be learned? If I was just “lucky”, how can I prevent something from happening in the future. Were there ways that you were perfectly prepared? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0028Z4LUU/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?ie=UTF8&btkr=1 What skills can I improve on? Rescue https://sierrarescue.com first aid https://sierrarescue.com/course-info/wilderness-first-aid-courses/, navigation, eddy catching?

2. Do I Always Speak Up? During your paddling days, do you always speak up, keep the group focused, and ask good questions when necessary? If you notice a safety issue in the fire house; do you speak up? Intuition is an extremely important sense.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/19/the-habits-of-highly-intu_n_4958778.html Many times if it just does not “feel” right, it is NOT right. While there is no real statistical evidence to back this up, I am a firm believer in listening to that inner voice. Sometimes just asking the question. “ Hey does everyone feel good about this” can start a discussion that will divert you to another river, or causing a crew to take a look at a pre-plan more critically. This is GREAT. These are the statistics that never get recorded because a bad situation has been diverted. It could be that a subtle combination of things has been nagging at you when one big one does not stand out and most likely involves a combination of river flows http://dreamflows.com, temperatures, paddling ability, time of day, equipment http://rescuesolutions.net etc. All those things that look obvious on paper, but are sometimes not so obvious at put-in, or on the shuttle drive, or even scouting a rapid.

Make a commitment in 2016 to always speak up about ANY safety concerns within a group, and listen to your intuition if something just doesn’t “feel” right. If you always have a back-up plan, you always have another plan to fall back on.

3. Did I become a better team member? This time of year is the PERFECT time of year to ask for gifts that improve your contributions to safety and rescue. How is your personal first aid kit? Can I upgrade the quality of rope in my throw bag? http://www.nrs.com Do I have an emergency blanket, or a little survival kit if my group and I get stuck out on the banks of a river over night? http://www.adventuremedicalkits.com No matter which Holiday you celebrate, there are folks asking for your list! Challenge yourself to include at least one new item that will make you a more productive contributer to the team, or to your family, if something unexpected happens on the river, or on the road.

Most importantly, reflect on the good times, the beautiful places that the river takes us, and that exhilarating feeling at the bottom of a challenging rapid and commit to doing MORE paddling, or training in Swiftwater if you work for an Agency, in 2016.

I wish you all a very Happy and Merry Year in 2016!

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