Re: [Paddlewise] USCG Deaths last year

> From dkruger_at_seasurf.com Thu Feb 26 19:39 PST 1998
> 
> Re: in a posting on Group Dynamics, you wrote:
> 
> > Last year I watched TV coverage of a couple whose sailboat had wrecked on 
> > the west coast (I think it may have been Oregon).  Three coastguard 
> > helicopter rescuers lost their lives attempting to rescue the couple. 
> 
> Correct number of deaths -- wrong method of attempted rescue -- and it
> was off La Push, WA.  The dead were three motor lifeboat crew members. 

Do they work with the coastguard?  I remember a coastguard chopper from
the videos.  I also rmember the conditions were really awful.  I vaguely
recall that the two people from the sailboat were eventually rescued.  
Do you remember how?

> Post mortem indicated the cox of the lifeboat made some major errors in
> judgement, though conditions were certainly horrendous.  Also, a key
> swell-indicating buoy, just off La Push, was not sending -- so they
> missed the indication of very large swell.

Did a large swell cause a capsize of their boat?  I wondered what the
actual cause of death was in this situation.  Hypothermia?

> Caused lost of self-critiquing among the motor lifeboat gurus at Cape
> Disappointment MLB School -- across the river from me.  Saying on their
> training facility:  "The rules say you have to go out -- they do not say
> you have to come back."  Very serious (and, maybe too macho) about their
> rescue capability.  Amazing boats -- try to check out a 47 footer --
> newest of the class.

I thought most rescue rules were that a rescuer was not to risk their
own life in a rescue attempt.  I had an ACA instructor say she had been
taught that in deep water drownings, wait until the victim is unconcious
before bringing them in and then perform CPR (I know, this sounds really
awful) to prevent becoming a victim of a panicky victim.  I don't know
where the instruction came from, but it does make sense.  Either way,
the rescuer would have to be well-trained.

Jackie

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