Cold, Rainy, and Absolutely Awesome

“SWIMMER, SWIMMER!!! SWIM OVER HERE! ROPE ROPE ROPE!!!” Yelling rang over the river as a rescuer tried to get the attention of a desperate swimmer fighting the whitewater. Though a normal observer would see this as an emergency situation, it was just another day for a student at O.A.R.S. California Whitewater Guide School. Though the majority of the guide school was focused on actually guiding rafts through rapids and flat water, three very important days were devoted to certifying students for Swiftwater Rescue, an international certification course taught by Sierra Rescue. This certification, though not required by many rafting companies, equips guides with excellent skills for customer care and overall safety on the water.

Entering guide school as a new student with very little river experience, the Swiftwater Rescue course was an excellent way to dive in (pun intended) to the life of a river guide. Nothing other than personal experience could have more adequately prepared me for the life of a boater. Our team of thirteen was taught rope technique, knot tying, correct responses to emergency situations, and so much more. Most importantly, we were introduced to the feeling of swimming in fast whitewater. The entire class gained a healthy respect for the power of the water, as well as solid planning skills for what to do in the case of an emergency.
 

The first day of skills training began with classroom-style discussion on emergency situations and reading water currents. We learned the concept of using your body with the current instead of against it, and the art of using a throwbag, a 75-foot rope coiled inside a bag that can be thrown to swimmers. After discussion, we went out on the water to apply what we had learned. This is where all the yelling comes in: as a rescuer, it is very dangerous to throw a rope unless you make eye contact with your victim. Often rescue items (like ropes) that are intended to save people can do more harm than good if they aren’t used properly. This type of rope training took place on the South Fork of the American River, in mild whitewater, where we practiced safe jumping into water without risking foot or body entrapment, which looks and feels something like a glorified belly flop.

For our second day of training, we moved into dealing directly with emergency scenarios. We practiced (in water) rescuing foot entrapment victims, shallow wading, and flipped-boat situations. Our instructors Julie and Pete were incredible sources of information, feedback and made very good practice victims complete with screaming and flailing around.

Swiftwater Rescue wrapped up after the third day of training. On this day, we covered emergency rappelling, contact rescues, and how to use a zip line effectively when crossing a river. Though guiding rafts became our intense focus for the rest of our schooling, the preparation provided by the rescue class left me (and probably everyone else) much more comfortable in whitewater and much more prepared to deal with emergency situations. For any guide, kayaker, or personal boater, seriously consider investing time in a Sierra Rescue course. The skills and experience will be totally worth it.

Written by Tianna Stieglitz

Stieglitz is a Hospitality/Tourism Management student from Purdue University. She's from Indiana (born and raised) and loves traveling and seeing new places. Among other hobbies, she love people, being outdoors in creation, and good laughs with friends.