Arkansas boater in trouble?

[Ben Rodda]

I read this over on mountain buzz.... Hope he is doing ok

http://www.mountainbuzz.com/forums/f11/ ... 31919.html

They were from Arkansas and all solid boaters. I was driving around trying to figure out what to paddle today as I'm visiting CO only this week. I was rather surprised to see a group of folks that I knew from back east, scouting the narrows.

I spoke to one of the members of their group and he invited me to join. Unfortunately, I had just had a large lunch and wasn’t up for boating at that time. I had just ran this section with two locals last night and was fairly familiar with the lines. I offered beta and two out of the 4 in their group began their run. One of their group set a rope at Mr. Bill. The fourth member of their group had already taken out and undressed. The gentleman in question came down first and eddied out above Mr. Bill. The second boater came down with a smooth line and caught the eddy as well. Boater 2 decided to walk the hole while the victim ran the extreme right side. When he went into the second hole, he ran the meatier right side which stalled him. By this time, his friend was in his boat. The victim continued down river for approx 50 yards and attempted to catch and eddy on river right. He bumped a rock and begins to flip and make roll attempts. I yelled to his friend that he was in trouble. He proceeded down river after him. The rope holder had begun his ascent out of the gorge and I yelled to him as well. As I looked downstream, I noticed the victim was attempting rolls, many more than most would before swimming. He literally rolled for 200 yards down the gorge, turning back over each time while being pushed into one hole after another.

By this time, I had made it to the top of the road and ran down where I could get a look. I noticed he was limp, heads down, and still in his boat. I began to run downriver but decided to run back to my car and get a pfd and helmet as I was in civilian clothes. I returned to the car, grabbed my pfd out of the back and quickly put it on. I drove 3-400 yards downstream and jumped out, grabbing my helmet and throwrope. I made my descent down the side of the gorge and into the water’s edge. By this time, the rope holder and the other boater were dragging him to shore. When he came to shore, his head was still in the water. We did a quick check for vitals and found no breathing or pulse. When I initially pulled his head out of the water and opened his airway, I noticed a short (very short) gasp. Gear was immediately cut and removed. Rescue breathing and chest compressions were started while the other boater assisted getting him out of the boat. As I recall, it took about two rounds of compressions and about 6 rescue breaths before he made a heavy gasp and began to breathe on his own.

By this time other boaters were coming down river and we signaled for them to call 911. His breathing eventually became heavier and gurgling. We tried to get him to cough or puke up the water to no avail. He was completely unconscious during this entire time. After several minutes elapsed, his color began to return but his eyes were glossy and rolled back.

A local fire department training in swiftwater just down the gorge was the first to respond. The victim became somewhat conscious, screaming in pain, fighting, and rambling incoherently and exclaiming that he couldnt see. They local fire helped stabilize until we could get a backboard and stokes basket in place. Local fire set up a 2:1 or a variation and helped pull him out of the gorge. A chopper was called and I’m not sure where he landed...or when he took off.

This whole thing seemed to take forever. Thanks to all the kayakers, emergency personnel, and bystanders that helped get him out. I have no idea about his current condition. I'm praying that he pulls through it! I'll try to contact some of those guys tomorrow and post an update. Let’s all keep him in your thoughts and prayers!

[Tmuse]

That would be James Robbinson, from the Little Rock area, he is in the Denver Hospital and seems to be ok. He had to stay for 24 hrs. and is expected to make a full recovery. Ya'll be carefull out there!

[OzarkTom]

Best wishes for a speedy recovery James!

Great Job on the rescue!!

[redrock438]

Glad to hear he is doing ok!

[Jeremy M]

Speedy Recovery James....thoughts and prayers with you.

[panicman]

Wow! good to hear he pulled through and great rescue. Sounds like every second counted in this situation.

[okieboater]

Once again, many thanks to boaters who help their fellow paddler out in time of need.

One of the neatest things about the boating community is the fact we look after each other when bad things happen.

Thanks to these boaters who turned a really bad situation into only an overnight stay in the hospital.

[ScottH]

James is out of the hospital and doing fine. He is much more clear headed then he was last night. Said he is feeling good, going to take it slow and easy. But may look to paddle a little more before they head back to Arkansas this weekend. :shock:

[rickyrod]

Hang in there dude. get well ASAP. good to hear all is good now.

[SteveGabbard]

Good job guys!

Have a speedy recovery James.

SYOTR

[Renee H]

James has 9 lives and I am guessing he has used over half of them He is hard-headed and stubborn, so I KNOW he will get over this hurdle. Just look, he is already wanting to boat! James - glad you have already sped up your recovery and want to boat this weekend

[ebell]

Glad to hear james is getting over it already it seems.

I still may need some help getting down the tot falls right side up. The last time he tried to show me I didn't learn very fast.

eric

[n2outdrs]

I am glad he is recovering well, good job to all involved with the rescue!

[turboturtle]

I admire his desire to get back out and paddle before returning to Little Rock, but do take care James. We would hate to have lost you. Half of your nine lives are still available for use, but be careful when and where you choose to use em! Love Ya Man!

[Cowper]

Wow!

Helmets? I agree; WW standards are probably "weak" on ability to absorb and protect from heavy impacts. There is a reason motorcycle helmets are not just thin shells with 1/4" of ethafoam lining.

Paddling hard stuff? Ain't no secret; I decided years ago that you can't stay in this sport for decades with a goal of paddling "harder stuff" every year. Find the level that YOU enjoy the most and then try to paddle forever. (Bobby Stout, you're one of my heroes!)

James? Man-o-man - I'm just so glad that we're going to get to paddle together again. If you ever have "down" days, you must go hide in a cave somewhere, because I've never seen it. My thanks to Lazer, Ben, Drew A., and all the others that are part of why that is going to be possible.