Questions
and Answers
From the
Beginning River Safety and Rescue Webinar
May 11, 2020
1.
Where can I
find a swift water safety class?
a.
Swiftwater
Rescue Classes (Note! May be delayed due to Covid-19. Contact the
organization!)
· https://www.dvorakexpeditions.com/whitewater-education-courses/
(Arkansas River)
· https://www.shoprma.com/swiftwater-rescue/
(Poudre River)
· https://coloradowhitewater.org/safety (2020 Not listed)
· https://courses.sierrarescue.com/reserve/river-rescue-certificat (CA, UT, AZ classes)
2.
Where do you
put identification on your boat? On the side?
a.
The rules don’t say where it must be but the identification
should be easily seen. I put my name and
phone number on the inside wall of my canoes.
3.
What do you
use to put the identification on your boat? paint? permanent marker?
a.
I have used permanent marker on my canoes which has lasted years. Paint can chip/rub off.
b.
There are stickers made by the USCG for placing our name and phone
number on our boats (not sure if they’ll stick to an inflatable or if the
adhesive will be safe for an inflatable).
I’m currently trying to get some of these and will let the clubs know if
I am successful. http://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=054-23-01&category=operation-paddle-smart
4.
Is there a
park/pull over signal?
a.
The STOP signal is a general signal to paddlers to find a
safe place and “park” (horizontal paddle or horizontal arms out). This might not have all paddlers end up in
the same place.
b.
A signal to Park/Pull Over at a specific place, is what we call “Eddy Out”:
i. Draw a circle in
the air over your head and then point to the Eddy where you want paddlers to
go.
5.
How do I
barrel roll into an eddy?
a.
Picture yourself laying on the floor on your back (as if in the
Defensive Swim Position). Now roll over
to your stomach and continue rolling in the same direction onto your back. If you start this motion at an eddy line and
roll over into the eddy, that is doing a barrel roll. Take a look at this presentation, page 26. It doesn’t show the swimmer rolling over but
it talks about it.
i. https://www.frostburg.edu/faculty/rkauffman/pdf_files/river-dynamics-swimmer.pdf
6.
There were
several requests for a River Reading Class.
a.
See the email for some river reading links. I will also send emails out to each club
requesting others consider volunteering to do a class like this. Perhaps we could all collaborate on a river
reading class agenda that can be shared by all clubs!
b.
There was also a request for
a River Reading Video Game. If anyone knows of one, please
share it with all! What a great idea J
7.
Can you
suggest rescue rope? aka rope for rescues, getting boats unstuck, etc.. Not a throw rope.
Some of the z drag kits sold include static ropes of 150' long. Is that
adequate?
a.
For recovering boats, a Static rope is preferred over a Dynamic
rope. A typical throw bag for swimmer
rescues is made of Dynamic rope that stretches when under tension. This reduces the “jolt” on the swimmer and
rescuer. A Static rope for boat pins
does not stretch, allowing more equivalent motion of the boat for each pull on
the rope. Static line is also, usually,
of greater tensile strength than a typical throw rope, which is often necessary
for the load of a boat.
b.
150 feet is often a standard length in rescue kits you can buy and
adequate for most rivers one would run.
c.
Sterling is a good and common brand.
d.
3/8 to ˝ inch depending on the strength you need. I (Randy) prefer ˝ inch for a loaded raft.
e.
You can buy it various places by the foot or at set lengths. Google and compare. Sportsman’s Warehouse has 100
foot lengths for $99.99.
f.
You can often piece together a kit for less than a new one especially
if you already have carabiners and pulleys.
You want pulleys that can open and be put on the rope rather than having
to thread a rope end though them.
g.
Get a Z-drag card or instructions and practice, practice, practice so
you can put one together quickly. Learn
how to make a 3x, 6x or 9x advantage.
h.
Take a Swiftwater Rescue Class to learn more about this and to practice
Z-drags.
8.
Did I hear you
say that fishing waders (with a waist belt ) are safe
for boating? Isn't there a concern about the possibility of them filling up in
a swim
a.
Randy: You want to keep the cold
water rush from happening. Best
if you stay dry on immersion but even slowing down the cold
water contact is good.
b.
Dry
suit with proper insulation probably best.
c.
Good
fitting wet suit does well, best with full top.
d.
I
have a two piece dry suit. If top and bottom connected correctly, it is
completely dry.
e.
I
mentioned other combinations.
f.
Dry
pants and paddle jacket. Lightweight rain gear with cuffs and ankles banded
closed and waist cinch strap or belt.
g.
If
you use something with feet attached, you want a very snug waist strap. That
includes dry pants, nylon or neoprene chest waders. And you should have a snug
waist paddle type top with wrist and neck closures over those bottoms.
h.
You
should always try whatever your present budget allows in cold water and
preferably moving water.
i.
A
dry suit tear or compromised zipper will leave you with water in your suit as
will improperly used dry bottoms or waders. Water in water is neutral, doesn’t drag or
hold you down. It will be a little
harder to flutter kick. It is a
detriment when you have to crawl back into the raft or onto a rock. Then you
have to lift it above the surface water level.
Often you can get horizontal on the raft tube, canoe, rock, etc. and
stay there a bit as the water drains out, then finish your movement.
j.
Watch this test of different waders and adding a belt: Chest Wader Swim Test (7:06).
Wader materials make a big difference on how much water can get in.
k.
NRS discussion of their Sidewinder Bib Waders. Go to minute 4:00 for a discussion of water
entry. NRS Bib Waders
9.
I like
learning about gear from watching other people use it rather than going and buying
a whole pile as a newbie. But obviously you need to start with something.
Do you have suggestions for a beginner pack?
Needed gear will vary with your craft (size and
stability), type/severity of water difficulty, expertise of paddler/rower,
length and remoteness of outing, size and age and condition of participants.
Raft, canoe, WW kayak, rec kayak, sea kayak,
inflatable kayak, sit-on-top kayak, pack raft or SUP? Some common and some craft specific.
Flotation Water
clothing-immersion or splash
Spare paddle or oar PFD-whistle,
visual signal
End lines/painters Small
first aid
Perimeter lines ID,
some money
Throw rope Water,
snack
Repair/patch kit Set
of dry clothes
Air pump for inflatables Chocolate
Bilge pump, bailer or sponge for non-self-bailers
and non-rollers
The following are considered
as part of an advanced rescue kit and require training.
-
Rescue PFD (USCG Type V)
-
Pin Kit
-
Tow Line