Throwbagging
Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 12:25PM Throwbagging is one of our "7 Core Skills" of Swiftwater Rescue. The more consistent and more accurate we with our throws the better rescuers we will be.
Uses: legal requirement, throw to swimmer, horizontal hauling system, vertical raise, vertical Lower (short throw rappel)
Rope Qualities: buoyancy, visibility (colour), strength, stretch (high/low), construction, abrasion resistance, others
Bag Qualities: durability, visibility, stuffability, portability, others
Throwing Techniques
Underhand
Overhand
Side-arm
Butterfly Coils
Split Coil
Split Bag
Grab and throw
Anchor/Belay Techniques
Seated Belay
Hip belay (body)
Back Up Belay (Buddy Belay)
Dynamic Belay (downstream and deep)
Friction Belay
Receiving Techniques
On back, "in river" hand (opposite the direction of travel), elbow bent to avoid shoulder injury
Teaching Tips
Some techniques are "over emphasized" in different regions (Hip Belay in the USA). It is valuable to show a variety of techniques to use in different situations. Take special note of those that hold the rope inappropriately as a swimmer. They lack an understanding of how the water works.
Thethered Rescue (Live Bait)
Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 12:24PM Tethered Swimmer Rescues are one of our "7 Cores Skills". The integration of of a QRHS into our PFD's is probably the biggest game changer in advanced rescue over the past 20 yrs.
Quick Release Harness System
There are various professional opinions on the threading of your Quick Release Harness (QRH)
Rescuers need to "Try and Test" for themselves what threading is most appropriate for them
Note: Threading contrary to manufacture's suggestion could lead to liability issues
1. Full tri-glide threading (tested load bearing/maximum friction)
2. 1/2 tri-glide threading (mostly untested load bearing/moderate friction)
3. Direct threading (mostly untested land bearing/minimal friction)
Direct threading is most often used when towing where easy escaability is necessary
"Plastic for plastic, metal for me" (Mike Mather)
Rescue Tethers
Rescue tethers are a way for rescuers to engage their rescue harness without having to "reach and clip" behind their back
Safety Considerations
1. Ensure Rescue Tether is "parked" on a quick release tab on your PFD.
2. Do not 'hard clip" your Rescue Tether to your PFD
3. Replace the original carabiner with a locking carabiner
Practice clipping, unclipping and blowing your harness
Tethered Rescue Sequence (Live Bait Sequence)
1. Tethered Swimmer enters with SWE (when deemed secure)
2. Tether Swimmer enters when Subject is in the "slice of pie" (45-90 degrees upstream from rescuer)
3. Tethered Swimmer raises their hand once they have contact with Subject
4. Tethered Swimmer rotates torso upstream and "windmills" in river arm to grab the rope thus adjusting the angle of force of the current on tethered swimmer’s body
Anchor/Belay Rescue Sequence
1. Anchor/Belay positions themselves downstream of the tethered swimmer the same approximate distance as the subject is from shore. This allows the Tethered Swimmer some time to swim to the subject without the line belaying them back to shore.
2. Anchor/Belay takes in rope as soon as Tethered Swimmer has made contact with the Subject (reducing the Pendulum Arc)
3. Anchor/Belay prepares for load on the line by choosing appropriate anchor/belay position
"V" Lower
1. The Tethered Swimmer is anchored on both sides creating a movable platform out of the rescuer (can be hard to maintain in heavy current for sustained periods)
2. Best to maneuver Rescuer using "pendulum" forces rather than trying to fight the current
3. Anchor/Belay is best with multiple people (upstream personnel in Hip Belay position)
4. Anchor/Belay is better to walk upstream and downstream rather than pulling thus maintaining consistent angle between anchor/rescuer/anchor
Advanced Techniques
Hydraulic Rescue
1. Tethered Swimmer positions themselves in proximity to the boil line
2. Tethered Swimmer leaps for Subject (kayak/canoe/raft) when it reaches its furthest downstream position and is slowed down to a near stop
3. Tethered Swimmer grabs craft at this point BEFORE it is recycled back to the seam of the hydraulic (starts to cartwheel)
4. Tethered Swimmer may use an "extension" to clip the craft to remain hands free in the "pull" phase of the rescue (grip strength is weakest point in the system, extension may be rescue tether or end of rope where Tethered Swimmer is connected midline with a Directional 8 or Butterfly)
5. Rescue ends when all Subjects are out of hydraulic (be wary of multiple swimmers in rafting situations)
6. Anchor/Belay must be thoughtful about positioning
7. Anchor/Belay must be nimble and dynamic to move to appropriate position during "pull" and "post pull" phases of the rescue
Teaching Tips
Thoroughly explain that this is a high risk form of rescue which also has high reward. Students MUST experience blowing their harness on dry land to ensure they have some muscle memories to do that in the water.
Subject Behavior
Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 12:23PM Panic is often described as when someone feels that they are in an alien environment with no avenue of escape. Sometimes people feel panic with low/no actual risk.
Subject Behaviour
Normal
Follows basic instructions
Makes effort to self rescue
Counter Panic
No purposeful movement to help themselves
Catatonic
Doesn't make effort to self rescue
Panic
Only cares about clear and patent airway
Will do ANYTHING to maintain airway
Very strong and determined
Wide eyes
Gasping
Ladder climbing/wing flapping
Self Defense
Protect Yourself
Keep your distance
Coach them in to shore/safety
Reverse and ready
Splash in the face
Neutralized position
Dunk them
Breaks and releases
Risk Management
Defending Yourself
Coach them in to shore/safety
Reverse and ready
Splash in the face
Neutralized position
Dunk them
Breaks and releases
Risk Management
COLOUR CODING
Blue helmet (status quo, normal behavior expected)
Yellow helmet (non, weak and nervous swimmers)
Red Helmet (medical/cognitive/ability challenge)
Teaching Tips
Fun active drill best done after Throwbagging and before Tethered Rescue
Wading Techniques
Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 12:22PM Wading is one of the "7 Core Skills" of Swiftwater Rescue. It is often overused but under taught and practiced.
Wading: Factors Affecting Success
1. Depth
2. Force of current
3. Composition of river bottom
4. Number of crossers
Techniques
Formal Techniques: solo with paddle, line astern, multi-person (Triangle of Support), wedge, fence
Informal Techniques
"Go" abreast, crab crawl
Teaching Tips
Good site selection is key to teaching this skill. Look for thigh deep, fast moving water with a clean swim out. Make it challenging, make it fun!
Knots
Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 12:21PM Knowing about rigging, ropes and knots are all valuable skills for river rescuers. Here are some that are easy to tie, easy to untie and easy to identify.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
All knots reduce the minimum breaking strength of the line (approx. 50%)
Knots take some students a while to grasp. Teach knots just before lunch or end of day. Request students learn knots in advance by going to Animated Knots www.animatedknots.com
Useful Knots for Swiftwater Rescue
Figure 8 (Stopper)
Figure 8 Follow Through (Loop)
Figure 8 Follow Through (Bight)
Figure 8 on a Bight
Double Figure of 8
Directional Figure of 8
Alpine Butterfly
Clove Hitch
Tensionless Hitch (No Knot)
Useful Knots For Swiftwater Rescue (Webbing)
Water Knot
Patagonia Knot (Overhand & Overhand)
Teaching Tips
Send a list of knots and the www.animated.com website out to students in advance.