Swift Water Rescue Training: video and what I gained from it

[737driver]

I recently completed the level 4 swr course that was given near Rockport this past weekend on July 20 and 21. I had an absolute blast. As we all did I believe! I should have taken this course from day one of paddling. It really opens your eyes to things that can happen on the river in the blink of an eye and why the correct and specific methods of rescue are paramount in saving your buddy's life as well as your own. It gives you a better understanding of the force of hydrology and provides you with some skills to protect yourself from being a victim. Does it prepare you to run class V rivers or rescue a victim from raging flood waters? Probably not, but... 1. Most of us can't paddle class V anyway. 2. It gives you a foundation of skills and teaches you that with enough ingenuity and equipment, anything is possible. 3. Having these skills and equipment may shave off the seconds needed to save your buddy's life. Before the class I could have possibly figured out a rescue method that would work, but I guarantee you that it wouldn't be as safe and as fast.
It also opened my eyes to who I might paddle with in the future. I commend all those that took me down river as a newbie knowing I more than likely could not help them. I will be hard pressed to go with a group in the future without at least one other person who has taken a swr course and has the equipment with them. Especially in anything challenging. Here is some footage from the course. You will see from the smiles, that it is a ton of fun! Also very physically demanding!
https://vimeo.com/70845021" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Deuce]

Thanks for taking the time to do that Clay. That was indeed a LOT of fun, even if I did get in trouble with Arthur (when do I not?) for being a lazy swimmer. He also stopped me as I was about to exit my boat too far from shore and too close to the hole LOL. That would have definitely presented a much greater challenge for you guys who rescued me and the yard sale. Heck, I was just trying to keep it real. Great times.

[737driver]

Lol! Yea, when you paddled up stream of the rock, I thought "Hey, we might see a real pin here!". I'll email you some photos as well.

[mgood]

Clay- glad to hear the SWR was worthwhile and you got some great practice.

One thing stood out to me from an otherwise excellent wrote up on SWR: that you would be hard pressed to paddle in a group without another SWR trained paddler. I just want to state that most paddlers you encounter will have not taken SWR (myself included) for a variety of reasons. To me, a certification itself is relatively useless where paddlers do not possess the ability to correctly act under pressure. A lot of paddlers will have the ability to act, plus the same knowledge gained in a SWR course, from years of experience in harrowing situations. Be the guy that is encouraging, knowledgable, and can react under pressure- that's the guy I want to paddle with, regardless of whether he has gone through a SWR course or not. I often have this discussion/constructive criticism/debate with my father- who is SWR certified.

All this being said, I encourage all who can to take the SWR class. I haven't due to a variety of reasons. Looking forward to seeing you and all SWR-trained (and non SWR trained) paddlers on the rio.

-MG

[magicmike]

MG- I felt the same way for 20 years, now having taken the class, I'm reluctant to paddle with folks who haven't taken a course because now I know what I didn't know. Knowledge is power my man!-M-

[737driver]

You are right Mgood. I guess I should rephrase the statement to say I rather paddle with a person that has the "knowledge". Certification means nothing if one you don't practice the methods and two if you don't have the ability to act. I think it's fair to say that many paddlers that have years of whitewater experience under their belt have gained much of this knowledge by watching others, reading books, etc. I don't have the luxury of having years of experience so the course is what suited me. I figured I needed a fire hose type course to quickly gain the knowledge. Now I must stay current in these skills by practicing, otherwise it was a waste of time. Also if someone practices everyday, if they are not a type A and will fold under pressure, then they may be useless also. However, I believe if they take the initiative to learn and practice, they will act due to rote memory. I relate kayaking very much to flying. As a pilot, we are a person who strives to gain as much knowledge about the field so that we may operate as safely as possible. Some of this comes as certification but much of it comes with experience and hands on practice. I don't really worry about someone's certification, I much rather have a person with experience beside me than a piece of paper in that seat. So in your case, I'd be delighted to paddle with you as you have experience. If I was paddling tomorrow on the Ocoee or anywhere else with another newbie like me, I'd feel much better if that person had been through a swr course where they were exposed to the various skills of rescue. Not only the skills that may be needed to help me, but also the skills to help themselves. I'm sure with your experience, that you are qualified to handle both.

[hdh]

Mg

[Cowper]

I really don't want this to sound like I'm joining a debate on one side or the other. I don't see this as an "either /or" thing. It doesn't matter if the best rescue person you know is trained, or just that darned good because of experience, a cool head, and a sharp mind. The question should always be, "will I benefit from participating in this..."

For the majority of people, I think the answer will be "yes". Everybody's answer or reason why may be a little different.
If you're new, maybe you'll be exposed to something you've never thought about before. If you're experienced, maybe you'll learn one new trick or a new variation on an old trick, or just get some practice.

A lot of times, I've been fortunate enough to paddle with some incredibly good people. As a result, I lost count of the times where I went and ran something, and absolutely nothing of any major interest happened. Oh, we played and had fun and saw beautiful places. But there just weren't many opportunities for us to get any rescue practice, or to see what does and doesn't work in a rescue situation. I didn't get to throw a rope. I didn't get to pull a pinned boat off a rock. I didn't get to set up a mechanical advantage system. If I was lucky, I got to watch one of my buddies maybe do a good combat roll. Lots of river miles, only a little rescue practice. And then I'd come home and find out someone else who had gone to an easier river got to help with several rescues that same weekend. So I attended some more rescue workshops just to keep my skills sharp and relearn what I had forgotten, and because they are fun.

If you don't want or care about a badge, I'm cool with that. But don't miss an opportunity to learn just because you don't like badges, or because you've run into someone who cared more about the badge than about the learning behind it.

[nproctor]

Bahahaha...dang it Harlan!

[Deuce]

If you don't want or care about a badge, I'm cool with that. But don't miss an opportunity to learn just because you don't like badges, or because you've run into someone who cared more about the badge than about the learning behind it.

Batches? We don't need no stinkin' batches! Wait, I didn't get a badge. Dadgummit. Cowper, I agree with everything you said. I participated because I felt the opportunity to spend two full days with those guys would be the best C note I ever spent, and boy was I right. I learned so much that I probably otherwise wouldn't have and most importantly had a GREAT time. I've now taken advantage of three ACC schools and each one has been an exceptional value and very beneficial and fun.

[JGoodwin]

Cannot stay out of this one!

Good points from everyone regarding SWR class. Information, education, avoidance, action - They all come into the equation. Problems happen on every class of water from easy moving streams to big water cascades. Many times we as a paddling community are helping those on a river without the knowledge. Often our knowledge is applied from experience (good and bad) but a SWR course can inform, educate and teach avoidance. That is the biggest impact that I have seen, knowing how to avoid getting into trouble.

The other side of that is the action. When the mess hits the fan how do you react? Education without application makes you an informed viewer but it must be practiced and used correctly to assist in rescue on the water. Number one rule - Make no more victims! So practice with that throw rope, educate on correct swimming techniques, teach avoidance of dangers on the river.

Micah and I do have "discussions" about this. His schedule has been such that it has been difficult to get into a class so I've taken some of that on the rivers with us. While it's hard for me to admit that he's a better paddler than I (even though it's true) he also knows how to respond in the majority of situations from our experience. But he's also glad to see old dad, throw rope in hand at the bottom of a Class V waiting just in case.

My focus initially on SWR was to make sure that when something happened I could make a difference. I discovered that education and knowledge made me informed and application of that on the river made me a better paddler. Continuing to practice and improve has and will be one of my paddling goals for years to come I hope.

[Jim E]

Some of this discussion is getting into more about group dynamics ie; knowing everyone's abilities. As Clay mentioned, just because an individual has taken a course or two doesn't advance their paddling skills from a class 3 to a class 4, so to speak. Therefore, a person with SWR training may be of little use if they are in over their head on a harder river where they are pushing their paddling limits. Possibly to the point where they can become a victim.

Group dynamics should always assessed before setting off on a float. If someone new has shown up wanting to join a group for a float, questions need to be asked AND willingly (and honestly) answered! Then decisions need to made accordingly. I've had to tell people that "this float isn't for you today". If they had continued it could have easily put themselves and then others at risk. On the other hand, I've been the one that paddling skills were being pushed with the group knowing and accepting that. All went well but don't know that I would have attempted such a difficult float with another group. I knew and trusted everyone there!

Not to long ago I was on a remote creek gorge run (no walking out from this one), some had shown up for this float that I knew they would be in over their heads. Luckily they decided to back out before anything had to be said and they were even kind enough to help us with setting the long shuttle. Things can go wrong quick but minimizing the possibilities as much as possible from the start is always a good idea.

I've had SWR training. Learned some things, had other things reinforced and some of it is just common sense. Nothing like hands on experience though and that's the main thing that I gained from SWR class.

Great discussion!!!

[mgood]

Hey crew,

My main point was not to bash SWR, but to simply say that the same information can be gained through a variety of ways. Some paddlers may possess the same amount of information and not want to invest the time/money for a course where they already know most of what would be taught (at that point, Cooper's anti-badge-chasing idea playing a hand). My dad and I have talked about the benefit of a one-day crash course for paddlers who already have basic SWR knowledge and may want to fill in whatever other techniques they lack practice in.

I didn't want anyone to think that I'm advocating someone to avoid useful information. I just wanted to touch on the idea that a specific certification does not make the "complete" paddler, and that one should not avoid paddling with others who have chosen not to (or could not) attend SWR courses. Knowledge without experience (and vice versa) can be a dangerous combination- SWR courses can give you a bit of both and would have been a good stepping stone for me when I first started out. I'll be happy to throw you a rope or recieve one from you regardless of whether you're SWR official or not.

The ultimate teacher is time on the water in a boat. You guys enjoy your day on the Tot; I'm lucky enough to be in San Francisco at the moment, and I'll spend my day on the American river.
-MG