Kirk Olsen writes: > On Thu, 17 Aug 2000, Seng, Dave wrote: > > > > From: ralph diaz [mailto:rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com] > > > > > > It sounds like one workable scenario to me. And I would like to know > > > what others think about it? Has any one been in such a predicament? > > > > Unless you're a trained lifeguard and a very good swimmer, you > > do not ever want to make personal contact with a panicked or struggling > > swimmer (even if you are you won't want to!). > > This was my thought immediately, especially multiple panicked swimmers. Its been (sort of) mentioned a few times, but I'll add one thing here. In my SRT (Swiftwater Rescue Tech) class we did a practice called 'Combat Swim'. This is where you come up upon a seemingly unconcious victim floating downriver. You jump in, come up behind the victim and just as you make contact - the 'victim' wakes up and attacks you, attempting to use you as flotation. The solution is either to splash water at the victim and move away or if its too late to dive under. Its amazing how quickly your instinct to let go kicks in when your flotation starts to take you under (yes, I got to be a 'victim' 8). To address the scenario described by Ralph. I'd apply the standard rescue techniques: Reach, Throw, Row, Tow, Go. Reaching for them is out, since they're a fair way from shore. Next I'd throw them a line. If that didn't work and since I'm a decent swimmer and its close to shore I might throw one of them my pfd tied to a line (I always carry a throw bag, so this is likely gear to have). If that doesn't work, I'd try to get them(? or at least one of) to hold my stern and row them (both if I could get em) to shore. In this situation, it may not be necessary to row them so much as stabilize until help arrives. I think as a last resort and given the circumstances I might try the flipped kayak method, but only after I've tried RTRTG. Note - going to the victim (physical contact) is usually the last resort and only if your fairly confident that you can handle the person/situation. As a few people have mentioned, its really a judgement call and one that is hard to predict what you'll do when the time comes. For myself, I'd hope I can evaluate the situation enough to avoid becoming a victim. OTOH, my instince to help is strong enough that I'm not really sure what I'll do. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- snark_at_tulgey.org aka Glen Acord http://www.tulgey.org/~snark if ($snark eq "boojum") {vanish("softly","suddenly")} *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Thu Aug 17 2000 - 19:08:02 PDT
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