hazards on LMF MUST READ

[SteveGabbard]

Good job! Thanks for posting this.

[RandyJ]

You and Ronnie are to be commended for helping when you realized the trouble was starting.

Great point, Lance.

Heath, you and Ronnie recognized that the guy was going to be in trouble, and were already in motion when things went bad. Those few additional moments may have made all the difference.

[Heath]

Cowper and I have discussed this some, but I would like to here other opinions as well. i know some of you wear throw ropes around your waist, How many of you have truly tried to use them from your boat??? I have replayed this scene in my head thousands of times, I think a rope from your boat would have been the only way to get to the victim, but to long of a rope would have caused more trouble, and a shorter rope would have caused you to become a victim as well.
I am guessing here but would say the hole is roughly 15 to 18 feet wide, with a boil line roughly 20+ feet back. the currents on both sides are very strong, and really boxs the hole in. The river bottom here is cuped so to speak which is what makes this spot so dangerous, to climb out of the hole (up the boil line) is probly more than a foot in elevation.

I dont think you could reach this spot with a rope from the bank. not to mention i dought anyone on the bank would ever have one.

Jim E is correct, it is a miracle that more people havent died at this spot. I would guess that there is a min of 300 or so canoes go through here on a summer weekend. Granted the water levels are lower when there on there. The locals are more concerning to me because they tube this section all week long. I have pulled younger kids out of this same spot as it was starting to come into play. Then telling there parents to keep them out of the river until the water levels went back down.

[BMuu]

I wear the astral rope in my PFD, I haven't had to use it while in my boat yet but would attempt to if needed.


The real advantage is that it's easier to get to than in a boat and I always have it on me when I get out and possibly end up setting safety.

[RonnieG]

This was definetely a group effort. Thanks to the guy who jumped in and helped us at the end to get him to the bank and to the nurse who started the CPR!!!! (1) person would not have been able to get this guy to the bank intime!! If everything hadn't fell into place this man would not be here today. He was gone. I like heath can't help but reflect on what could have been done differently or better. It's very difficult to be so close to the victim and be absolutely helpless. Many things are going through your head!! Some of which want accomplish anything but probably putting yourself in there with him. This situation fortunately had a happy ending. This is a very dangerous spot at this level. Not sure what can be done to warn people of the danger at this level at this spot? Although, as Heath said and I agree this is still one of the most beautiful and best learning rivers around this area. Myself and Heath both started here. I have not had CPR training since I was a teenager. That was a couple of days ago I will be taking a refresher course ASAP! It's to important for anyone who is in this type of water. I will also be looking to take some swift water training which amazingly I haven't had yet. You can never be fully prepared for something like this but I for one can at least do a better job of being a little better prepared. I know many of you have been through this but this was my first experience resulting so close to death on the river that I was directly involved in. Prior to something like this you know this training is important. But after this you realize that it is a matter of life & death!! And it may be in your hands someday!

Ronnie

[OzarkTom]

Heath, Ronnie and all,

Well Done!

It sounds like a lot of quick thinking and good judgment came together to make a real difference when it mattered most. Thanks for sharing the story with the rest of us.

Cheers!!

[Roger]

Heath, the belt throw rope is simply a way to carry it. Tossing a rope from the kayak would depend on the situation and the paddler's ability to deal with the resulting force on your boat that will occur.

You did good. And there are people who appreciate what you did.

[Don Harwood]

Thanks Heath, great job! You guys used sound judgement and that is a BIG reason why it all turned out so well! It's only natural to reflect on something like this afterward and it sounds to me like you guys did all you could without making more victims. You did not make a bad situation worse and thats what it's all about!

[Jim E]

Two drownings on the Lower Mountain Fork River Friday.Mother and daughter.

Their drowning was not boating related and on a different section of the river than is what normally floated. For those familiar with the area, it occured at the Old Park Dam during generation and they got caught in the low head dam's hydraulic. This danger being known, swimming and/or just being in the water is illegal with signs all along the banks stating such from the Old Park Dam all the way upstream to the generators.

http://www.news9.com/story/15134001/tal ... fork-river" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[n2outdrs]

I totally agree, you were meant to be there at that time. Great Job!

[Heath]

Two drownings on the Lower Mountain Fork River Friday.Mother and daughter.

Their drowning was not boating related and on a different section of the river than is what normally floated. For those familiar with the area, it occured at the Old Park Dam during generation and they got caught in the low head dam's hydraulic. This danger being known, swimming and/or just being in the water is illegal with signs all along the banks stating such from the Old Park Dam all the way upstream to the generators.

http://www.news9.com/story/15134001/tal ... fork-river" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I would love to see this dam removed and turned into a nice set of play features, this spot would be a great place for something like that to happen. hate to hear the outcome wasnt good. best of wishes to the family.