Re: [Paddlewise] Rescuing a capsized canoeist

Strosaker_at_aol.com writes:
 > Paddlewisers,
 > 
 > I hope these sea kayakers who are hesitant to assist a drowning swimmer never 
 > volunteer to escort swimmers in a race.

Y'know - I don't think we're as polarized on this as its beginning to
sound. I'll arbitrarily call the different views chum and potato, for
those who would do anything to save a victim vs those who advise
caution.

If we continue the direction we're going we'll see the chums as the
voice of reckless self sacrificing heroism and the potatos as
heartless observers.

I just don't see the debate this way.  So far the potato stance has
been that there are basic rescue protocols you can follow that will
ensure the safety of the rescuer.  If the rescuer is not safe, then
its likely that the victim will not receive the aid they need.  The
chum viewpoint seems to be that rendering aid is not so complicated as
its being made out to be.  I agree that in numerous circumstances the
choices will be easy.  I also havn't heard anyone state that they
would do absolutly anything regardless of personal safety in order to
rescue a drowning victim.  Contrarywise, I havn't heard any potatos
state that they don't desire to help out as much as they could.  The
potato stance has been that its wise to know your own limitations.

For the record - I'm a potato.  I will hesitate in any emergency
situation.  My hesitation is to take in the scene and assess the
degree of danger.  Why is the person in the situation?  Is it because
thier boat smashed up in a rock garden or a rabid Sea Lion is out
taking rides on kayaks?  I think my degree of hesitation is relative
though.  If the situation is easily assessable, like Duanes rescue of
the swimmer in the rip current, I feel I would be able to render aid
fairly quickly.

As a potato I'd like to be prepared to some degree for the situations
I may find myself in.  To that end, I usually carry a throw line
behind my seat.  There are numerous other ways and means of being
prepared and discussing the possibilities is one of the things that
makes this list so useful.

Also for the record - I'm a chum.  My instincts are to do what I can
to render aid.  Will I put myself at risk? - most certainly.  The act
of aiding anyone will put you at risk.  My hope is that a degree of
preperation will give me a framework to aid without harming myself or
the person(s) I am attempting to rescue.

I return you to your regularly scheduled debate, already in progress.

Glen Acord - Eugene, OR
W-EMT, Swiftwater Rescue Tech I
Neckie Rip and a Mariner II (real soon now 8)
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