Re: [Paddlewise] Hand of God rescue

I actually witnessed a successful hand of god rescue a few years ago  
on a class 2+ / 3- hole on the Clackamas river in Oregon.  The victim  
was upside down and not rolling up or apparently able to exit.  A  
paddler (god!) was able to get to the victim and perform the rescue.   
The "victim had been much less than forthcoming, (lied) about his  
ability and experience.  His trip ended at that hole, the first rapid  
on the run and he walked the few miles down to his car!

My wife and I actually messed around practicing the hand of god at  
the pool a couple weeks ago, (much to the chagrin of the 18 y.o  
lifeguard I think!)

David D.

> ---
>
> Date: Sat, 3 Jan 2009 23:47:19 EST
> From: Pamvetdr_at_aol.com
> Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Hand of God rescue, sharks ands dolphins
>
> I have heard of two instances of this rescue being used, both in  
> Deception
> Pass in Washington State.
>     First was a capsize where the person could not or would not  
> exit for some
> reason. The first rescuer hit a bad current (whirlpool situation)  
> and was
> whisked away when within a couple of feet of her boat. The second  
> rescuer put
> some speed on, got there and straightened the boat up, got the  
> persons head out
> of the water, and could get her upright from there. Perhaps it's not
> technically a Hand of God if they aren't unconscious, but I suspect  
> this person wasn't
> of much help by then.
>
>     Second was an entrapment with the pull strap on a women's  
> relief zipper.
> It caught somewhere in the seat set up. I don't know if it was a  
> hung seat or
> a foam seat with back band; or where the pull caught. This  
> prevented a wet
> exit after a capsize, and ending with the kayaker being cut out of  
> the drysuit/
> boat, by the rescuer. I think this involved a Hand of God and  
> cutting the
> zipper out of the drysuit, at least partially. At some point I'm  
> sure getting her
> head out of the water was considered a good idea.
>
>     Please remember I have both of these by word of mouth. I do  
> know who was
> involved in the second situation and could refer an interested  
> party to that
> person, if more information was needed.
>       I'm not aware of any concerns about sharks in Deception Pass  
> (though
> that would make the Deception Pass Dash more interesting, what?)
>             Pam in Washington State
>
> **************New year...new news.  Be the first to know what is  
> making
> headlines. (http://www.aol.com/?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000026)
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************