Module

Methods of Whitewater Rescue

The correct order of rescue priorities is: Self > Team > Victim.
Live bait / contact rescue is used only when a person cannot be rescued in any other way.
3 continuous whistle blasts means Emergency.
When a boat capsizes, the first priority is rescuing People, not equipment or the boat.
C.L.A.P. stands for Communication, Line of sight, Avoidance, Positioning.
L.A.S.T. stands for Locate, Access, Stabilize, Transport.
The simplest and safest rescue method is attracting the drowning person's attention and guiding them with verbal instructions.
To signal that everything is alright, place your fist or hand on top of your head.
To attract a drowning person's attention when throwing a rescue bag, call loudly or blow a whistle.
A rescuer throwing a throw bag ideally positions at a spot with a good view where the water contains no obstacles on which the rope could catch.
The ideal moment to throw a throw bag is when the drowning person is further upstream than the rescuer on the shore.
Aim the throw bag directly at the drowning person, or within reach but under the person and transversal to their swimming direction.
To reduce panic during a flip or swim: give customers a good safety talk beforehand, and remind them above big rapids of what to do.

Passive swimming in whitewater is swimming on the back with hips high close to the surface and feet oriented downstream and on the water's surface.
A swimmer switches to an active-aggressive position depending on the situation, or when judging that this is necessary.
When approaching a half-sunken tree trunk, swim actively with the head facing forward, gain as much speed as possible, and get hands ready soon enough to reach for the obstacle.
Effective self-rescue requires good swimming skills, good physical and mental fitness, knowledge of laws of hydrodynamics, experience, and quick judgment.
The self-rescue procedure when a kayak is at risk of wrapping: attend to the correct inclination of the boat relative to the obstacle and try to move away from the obstacle.
One option for escaping the grip of a panicking drowning person is to dive underwater and pull the drowning person down with you.

Tethered rescue is a true (contact) rescue option.
Kayak rescue is effective when the drowning person is conscious and still has some strength.
To lift a drowning person into a raft: grab the PFD, submerge the person lightly so that the PFD's buoyancy helps pull them into the raft.
Approach a panicking drowning person from behind.
In live bait / contact rescue with the rescuer tied to the rope, the rescuer on the riverbank controls the rope and pulls both rescuer and drowning person to the bank.
The correct rescue position for a throw bag is upstream of the victim.
Vertical rescue is used for rescuing in canyons and gorges or on extremely steep riverbanks.
On 1-boat rafting trips, customer safety is increased by using a safety trained kayaker.
When rescuing a hypothermia victim on a rock, choose a technique appropriate for the situation; complete the rescue as quickly as possible and observe requirements for transport and treatment of hypothermia victims.
Fitting a PFD: tighten straps from the bottom upwards to ensure the PFD will not rise over the rib cage.
The clean-line principle means having no handles or loops in your equipment or raft that may cause an entrapment hazard.
A clean profile means stowing personal rescue equipment so it cannot get accidentally clipped, snagged, or uncoiled.

The Z-drag reduces the necessary pulling force.
The MA ratio of a Z-drag is 3:1.
It is possible to rig an internal 4:1 MA system.
An external MA system is most likely needed when the main rope is barely long enough to stretch from the load to the anchor.
The correct order for unwrapping a raft using the 'keep it simple' principle: client repositioning, strong arm method, vector pull, MA.
The Munter hitch is used for lowering a load.
The double fisherman knot is used for connecting two ropes of similar or same diameters.
The water knot is used for connecting webbings.
A knot on a rope reduces the rope's load capacity.
A Prusik-minding pulley has a square shaped outer casing and proper diameter ratio between rope groove and applied rope.
The pinch test on a Prusik cord checks if the inner diameter of the loop is smaller than the thickness of the main rope intended for use.
When making an anchor, the angle between anchor points must be less than 90°, which improves load distribution.
In multi-point anchors where a load direction change is expected, the connection must be mobile and constantly ensure even load distribution, with the angle smaller than 90°.
When setting up a tensioned diagonal: line angled at maximum 45° to the current vector, downstream side has a clean end and is set for quick release.
When immobilizing a suspected spinal injury victim: keep airways open, coordinate assistants, and avoid any additional movement of the victim's head.