Water rescue on the Little Mo

[Renee H]

Exactly Panicman!!! But they won't let boaters on the river (at least that is what I heard) I know there are some in the area....

[justin.payne]

I plan to be there in the morning...870 715 0648

[Jeremy M]

Here's my take....boaters are trained in swiftwater rescue...yes...but how many of us practice on a daily, weekly, or even monthly basis? How many of us are prepared to deal with what may be found just around the next bend in the river? I understand many of us, including myself, feel the need to help. I also know that fire and SAR have very different training than we do that not only helps them deal with this physically, but mentally.

"Make no more victims" is the Swiftwater mantra and I believe that the I.C. is doing what is right by his eyes. He becomes responsible for anyone he allows on the river.....There are trained boaters in the area, should the call go out, they are ready to respond in whatever capacity. Sometimes a shoulder to cry on, a cold drink of water, something warm to eat, and knowing prayers are being lifted is doing just as much as putting on the river and helping directly.

[jclaudii]

I understand...I would think that during "downtime" the rescue teams could work with us or have classes that way we would be prepared for this. Granted we usually would not get called out, but I think if they said you four boaters handler this stretch and so on...one could comb the river quickly and time is of the essence here. I understand the lack of practicing these rescue skills, but I would rather sign a waiver,etc to help find a clinging life than to be all bullied around by red tape!

I know in my current skill level I would not do this, but there are many boaters on this forum and in this club that do just this sort of thing on creeks with way more hazards on every bend and fall every time a shower blows their way. These are the "experienced" boaters I would think this sheriff would want to help assist this team!

[David Mac]

I think one more reason is that we don't have any official rescue unit within the club for them to contact. We have many SWR trained people, but other than maybe Walter I doubt anybody even knows who is and isn't current on that training and certainly nobody with the government who knows.

On top of that our training, at least the training I've been witness to, has been geared more towards rescuing one or two people who were with your group and you saw get pinned, not looking for people on the bottom or in strainers who've been there a whiile and are in all likelyhood hidden by other river debris.

That's not to say our skills wouldn't be useful, but maybe not as useful as you'd think at first.

[Lupe]

It sounds like they are starting to let boaters assist now. Sabrina is down there with a group who are going to be able to help search.

I think if any skilled boaters want to help, we can possibly search in a way that others can't by getting on the water. But it is of utmost importance that we take care of ourselves though (NO MORE VICTIMS). The water is dropping out and will not be challenging ww, but there is going to be a LOT of debris washed down that river that we need to be on the look out for.

I'm going to try to monitor what the reports are tonight and maybe a report from the boaters down there today, but I would expect there still will be a need for searching tomorrow (Saturday)...maybe even below hwy 84 as well as from Albert Pike to Hwy 84. If others are interested I would leave LR area say at 6am/6:30am. I think the more we can be an organized group that shows up in a coordinated fashion, the easier it will be to offer help/have our help accepted.

Also, this is NOT for everyone in that there is obviously an emotional/psychological component of participating in something like this that you need to be willing/able to accept as well. But even if this is likely to be recovery, not rescue, I feel doing so is very important for anyone who is missing family or friends right now.

[Tamara]

They do have ppl searching both sides of the river and helicopters that are equipped for search and rescue in the area. The last unofficial count I got was 20. And some are childern. And there are still a lot of childern missing. This has been a very bad day for a lot of ppl. Keep sending prayers out.

[Steve S]

I'm afraid at this point the emphasis is switching from rescue to recovery. I've been involved once before in a "recovery" operation and would prefer to not go through that experience again.

[iYak]

Video footage of the area:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/06/11/arkans ... 1&iref=BN1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[mageerc]

Why didn't a Forest Service Ranger get down in there to warn the campers during the night? There was ample warning that this was eminent...

[Cowper]

I don't like it, but I fully understand why the authorities would initially block access, because they have no way to figure who has the special skills to help while remaining safe, and who does not.

As I type this, some are making calls to see if there is something specific we could do tomorrow. It would be good if we could be "deployed" in some organized fashion to where we are needed the most, instead of all showing up randomly and covering the same patch of ground or river 3 times over. If anything specific is learned, it will be posted.

Like Steve, I have reservations about the nature of just what we might be helping with, but may go anyway. With our current warm weather, there is still hope that some of the missing may be just lost.

[Clif]

Why didn't a Forest Service Ranger get down in there to warn the campers during the night? There was ample warning that this was eminent...

Folks that know the area have commented that people camp all over... not just the campground. I do not know, but would hope some where warned, but it would have been impossible to go thru the woods and warn all. And even if they were warned, would they have listened? No one could anticipate 20 ft in 3 hours or 3+ feet in 15 minutes. Heard one report that many in the campground did get to higher ground.

[Cowper]

Why didn't a Forest Service Ranger get down in there to warn the campers during the night? There was ample warning that this was eminent...

Please give this some more thought - you might change your mind. We will learn later about how people tried to warn each other, including what efforts were made by authorities, but those stories are not yet being told because the people who will tell them are still down there trying to find survivors, and dealing with the heartbreak of collecting bodies. I believe if you just give this some more thought, you'll realize NOBODY had "ample warning" of the sheer magnitude of what was about to happen, and then chose to do nothing...

[gnick4]

My prayers for everyone involved.

[Tamara]

I have had several phone calls from ppl wanting to go and help tomorrow. James said that the Arkansas State Police were in command now and that they may or may not let ppl in to help search the river tomorrow. If you decide to go up there just tell them at the command center (think it is at Langley) your training and experence and they may let you help. And be aware that it is more of a recovery effort now than rescue. And reports say there are still a lot of childern missing. Tomorrow will be another bad day. Everyone paddle safe and keep praying.