lessons learned

[paddledog]

There was an incident a few weeks ago that had all the trappings to have a bad outcome.
It has been discussed on this board.(http://www.arkansascanoeclub.com/mb/vie ... =1&t=10049" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)
As we all know, everyone returned safely and has a great campfire story to tell.
The recent post from Canoe (Dale) gave mention to some of the epic stories that the pioneers in this sport have to tell.
I for one would line up to purchase the stories fleshed out and told full length.
Incidents like these provide not only a great story but an opportunity for those not involved to learn "river knowledge" without the bruises.
Although my part in the Boss Hollow adventure was small, I listened to the recount of the day/night/day events first hand.
After having some time to think about the events, I have come up with a few observations.
First off, I want to say this is NOT meant to slander or degrade anyone involved or their decisions.
My hat goes off to everyone involved for arriving home safe.

1. Of the four participants, only one had somebody back home that was alarmed. One persons wife put out the call early (6am) that they had not returned at a reasonable time. Although this was enough to start a search, more would have been better. Tell someone your plans for the day. Where you are going, who you are with, vehicles taken and approx. time to report back that all is well. If your plans change, as they often do, report that also.

2. Of the four participants, only one knew what the take out looked like. Three of them had not ever been on the creek, and the take out was not easy to spot. Somehow the one who knew what it looked like was chosen to be one of the ones who walked out. I wasn't there when the decision was made, so ignorance on my part maybe clouding my logic on this.

3. After the take out was missed by the two who floated out, they continued downriver until they saw something on the bank that they recognized as civilization. They pulled off the river and found a local that put them on the path back to where they wanted to be. As part of the search team looking for them, I can say this was impossible for us to know without some sort of sign. If you find yourself in a similar situation, leave a signal that can be easily seen from the river. We should all be carrying some webbing straps in our pin kits, cut off a foot or two and tie it to a branch of a tree that can be seen by anyone else coming downriver. Had we seen this, we would have also walked up and contacted the locals for more info.

4. The vast emergency gear I carry on trips is contained in a drybag in the back of my kayak. Of the four boats on the trip, only two were available during the night that was spent sleeping on the river bank. This brings up two points - one, everyone should have basic survival gear and two, a striped down version needs to be integrated into the life jacket. I am looking at some sort of a pack to wear. I am thinking of something related to the waist band style throw ropes. A small light, a space blanket and fire starter would go a long way.

Again, I want to say this is NOT meant to slander or degrade anyone involved or their decisions.
This is meant only for learning purposes.
Half of the "river knowledge" I have is taken from others and their experiences.
If you have some other lessons learned, post them here for all to read and absorb.
I feel this is one of the two top reasons for this message board.
Sorry about the diatribe,

[Don Harwood]

Well put Steve, we can all learn from these kinds of things!
The ACA and Charlie Walbridge have been keeping accounts of river accidents and mishaps for a long time and this board is the perfect place for such discussions!

[Fish]

You Slanderer!!! :-)

I definitely agree with your comments, Steve. In regard to #4, I now have a kit in my PFD, with the following in it: a lighter, water treatment pills, two small lights, collapsible water container, small space blanket. All the stuff is packed into the water container (a 0.8L Camelback pouch), so it is all waterproof. I had a ton of stuff in my boat, but of course, no boat.

#3 is a great point! Mark the point where you leave the creek/trail/etc.

#2 - well, I didn't have a boat, so it was natural that I was walking out. I could have taken Zach's boat I suppose. Or we could have all four stayed together. But they had a good description of the takeout area, and we didn't think about me paddling Zach's boat (plus I was still searching for mine), and we wanted at least some of us to get out ASAP to call Ryan's wife and others. And that sort of thing happens from time to time as wires get crossed - main thing I want to examine and prevent is the stuff that led to us spending an uncomfortable night out on the creek.

#1 - Another good point! Hard to call with plan changes many times when you're out in the boonies and have no cell service though. However, this is important enough to make some extra effort... No one had a clue where we were until we called, and it was a day when 100 creeks were running!

Thanks for your thoughts on this. Definitely something we all learned from and want others to learn too (hopefully without having to go through the same experience!).

- Fish

[paddledog]

#1 - Another good point! Hard to call with plan changes many times when you're out in the boonies and have no cell service though

True, one thing to think about, a text can get out when cell service is low or spotty. When you try to send a text and the service is not available the phone will constantly try to send. When moving through the Ozarks, cell service can be found in limited strength as you move up and down the mountains. All it needs is a few seconds of low level service to get the message out.
Something else some people may not know is ANY cell phone can dial 911 provided some service is available. If you have an old phone, even one without a service plan, charge the battery, remove the battery then put it in your emergency kit.

I hope all involved will take this thread in the spirit intended.
Nobody is born with this knowledge, it's all acquired.

[RomanLA]

I kayak and backpack alone a lot, so I picked up a RoadID. When I go on road trips, I update my personal page on their web site. That way if someone finds me unconscious, along with all of my medical and emergency contact information, they also have information like where I'm staying and what I'm driving to locate my belongings.
http://www.roadid.com

I'm in the process of making a couple of equipment changes myself. I'm going to get some sturdier paddling shoes suitable for a walk out and a rescue type pfd with a large pocket for emergency gear. I'm additionally, going to pick up a SPOT satellite messenger.
http://www.findmespot.com

[okieboater]

Do not know it they will last.

But since I got my Mega Rocker with foot room out the yeng yang, I been wearing these Attack shoes. Plenty of support to walk out.

http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp? ... eptid=1169" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I got mine a bit large to accomodate thick wool sox for winter time wear.

So far plenty of comfort.

[paddledog]

There is no way I can fit thick shoes in my play yak.
I couldn't walk out very far in the Desperado shoes.
I carry a set of Tevas behind the seat, two sizes too big
They fit right over my thin booties.

[nike54_la]

Just wanted to add that not all cell phones continue to try and send a message once it has decided it cannot send. My current phone, for example, will just go back to the wallpaper screen the first time it fails to send a text. If I try to resend that text, it then tells me it cannot be sent and asks if I want to send it again. If I push no, it doesn't try anymore, if I push yes, it trys and re-requests my premission to continue trying with each rejection. Some of my past cell phones tried to send until they sent. Wish my current one did, but it doesn't.

Great point about an old cell phone! As long as you can power it on, it will have the ability to dial 911.

And, if things get desperate, your cell phone will be able to be pinged by the cell company as long as it is powered on from what I understand.

[Fish]

Another great point about old cell phones and 911. Another thing I would stress is that everyone in the group needs to be carrying at least one source of light, preferably on their person. And it's often not the times when you think you'll need light that you end up needing it (true of most safety gear). Also, whistles are vital in conditions such as we found ourselves in - get one and have it on your PFD.

Don't want to be so top heavy with gear that you tip over, but this stuff is not optional on remote paddling trips.

- Fish

[paddledog]

On the point of whistles,
there are a lot of them out there.
Obviously some are better than others.
However, IMHO none of them beat the Fox 40 series

Fox S_S_Mini_Orange.png (29.1 KiB) Viewed 2873 times

http://www.fox40world.com/index.cfm?DSP ... ry&id=4130" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

They are "pea-less" which means no little ball inside to rot away or get stuck to the side.
The frequency is tested against whitewater to be audible.
Very important - they have a drain hole on the bottom that lets any water out in the first instant it is blown.
In theory, they will work under water, although I have never tested this, I will try it next roll session.
And they are rock solid.
I haven't tried the new "Micro" but it looks appealing as slim and very easy to carry.

[RichardL]

As far as a phone getting "pinged" by the company, do not rely on this technology. Since I work in the Emergency field I have had several issues with this. And not showing up on time will get the company to release this information.

Example: A lady calls 911 reports having wrecked being uside down in a ditch with her 2 year old daughter in the car. She does not know her location. 3 seperated 911 centers contacted the cell phone company attempting to get coordinates, they refused to give the information. It literally took the Faulkner county judge being woke up and issuing a warrant. At this point the only information they can provide is which towers you are getting signal from. In came SAR guy (genious in his own right) and was able to pinpoint the towers on a topo then based on signal strength and terrain provide a 5 mile radius in which she was located. As it turned out she was crazy and sitting in her living room. I learned several lessons from this call.

1. Just because your phone has the option of turning on the 911 gps, it is entirely up to the phone company if they provide the info, excluding a warrant.

2. When responders get the info they do not get an exact location.

3. Your best bet is someone knowing exactly where you are, or getting on of those emergency transmitter beacons.

4. When called if responders can't talk to you, and go where you are supposed to be, and you are not there, THEY LEAVE. Thousands of false calls go into 911 centers all over the state all the time. Usually about 3 to 4 a day in larger systems.

5. Don't put yourself in the situation to be a victim of number 4.

[ARzach]

On the point of whistles,
there are a lot of them out there.
Obviously some are better than others.
However, IMHO none of them beat the Fox 40 series

Actually I think there is one on the market that beats that one. Its called the "Ryan Center"....I'm pretty positive he can out whistle any whistle on the market without assistance. He is however a little bulky to attach to your PFD so purchase at your own risk.

--Zach

[Fish]

Ha! Yep, Ryan is louder than a Fox 40. Absolute 100% true fact. For mere mortal whistlers, get a Fox 40. It's what I have in my PFD - endorsed by and thoroughly tested by Team Stupid.

- Fish

[Don Harwood]

Yep! Fish and I know from experience on Osage Creek that big Ryan can definitely out whistle a Fox 40.
Even over the noise from Magic Mushroom!
Thats some whistle!