Water Rescue - Lessons learned

[Flatsix66]

At a moments notice shit can take a turn and get serious real fast.

I took the Cougar up river this morning solo from Windsor, usually when I do this I just zip up to the no-wake line at the gorge and come back. Today for some reason I thought I'd go further up and get lunch at Pirates. After lunch I did another odd thing I never do and went up river, no flat water to have fun with a bunch of people pulling kids and stuff, quite a few people on the water for a Tuesday. After a few miles I was just getting ready to turn back when I saw a lady clinging to the reeds on the AZ side waving me down frantically, I shut down and turned toward her. She was clinging to a large dog, the dog was paddling frantically to keep them both afloat. As I get closer she yells that her husband is drowning and point down river to help him. He is about 50 yards down floating fast in the river, he looks like he is really struggling to stay above water. I keep going toward him, he is non verbal at this point, I throw him a vest and he grabs it. I look back toward her and her dog is done, she lets go and starts to go down. I go back to her and I can't find another vest within reach or my throwable, but she is close enough to grab my swim platform. Her dog Is now floating down river about even with me in the boat, so I jump in (no vest on) to get the dog, I pull the dog up and try to swim back to the boat with him but he is killing me, I had to let him go and get back to the boat, kind of half swimming and pushing him every other stroke.

The dog and I get back to the boat swim step and hang on. The lady, hanging on to the swim step is too tired and gassed out to get in the boat, we both just hang on trying to catch our breaths for a few minutes. The 75lb dog is kinda clinging to me and the swim step. She finally gets in and helps me get the dog on the transom. We go back and help him back in but he is too gassed out to help himself onto the swim step but we eventually pull him in. I'm bleeding pretty good on my forearm, the dogs claws cut me up a bit, otherwise everyone is ok.

As we are heading back up river to their day camp, she tells me they had been in the water for an hour and nobody would stop. Given the distance and speed of the current I think it was more like 5-10 minutes they were in the water but it is amazing with all the other boaters that nobody else stopped to help. Apparently they were all in an inflatable floaty thing and fell out then the current took them all down river.

This was a big wake up call for me, I learned some lessons today:
1. Be better prepared, should have had better access to more life vests and throwable.
2. Have a better plan in case this happens again. Generally we have it covered for the people in our boat, but never expected to come across people in the river while boating alone.
3. I should have put a vest on for myself before jumping in the water. The current there is killer.

Have a great 4th of July weekend everyone, I hope these lessons are something that makes us think about water safety more.

 

[lbhsbz]

Nicely done.

Every time I find myself in a situation, it results in a learning experience. As I get older, I find myself taking fewer risks and adding more safety measures.

hope the boat didn't get beat up too bad, but considering the alternative...that doesn't really matter.

 

[4Waters]

Thank God you were there and saved them all, you were prepared enough but if there were one more person I think the 4th wouldn't have made it (the dog). Good job on the hustle and keeping your cool.

 

[cofooter]

All good learning, good on you for stopping, maybe people did not see them in the reeds! A lot of people underestimate the current and some perish Great karma coming your way!!!!

 

[brianwhiteboy]

Holy hell Batman! You’re a good man. Thank you for sharing your story. We all have something to learn from this.

 

[Deckin Around]

There’s a word for this, it’s Hero.

 

[joecfd1]

Outstanding job! Glad everything worked out.

 

[CLdrinker]

Good job stepping up and saving lives.

 

[zhandfull]

Wow, sounds like you saved some lives today. Well done!

 

[HBCraig]

I can't believe the amount of people that don't stop. Even when I see a guy floating with his engine hatch up I give him a thumbs up/thumbs down. Of he goes thumbs down I ask if he needs help
I have towed many people back
Pay it forward.

 

[Angler]

Glad you were there to save them!

I keep a 50' rope with a fender to throw in case of emergency.

 

[Socalx09]

Not going to lie, this had me in tears.
Wow. You are a hero.

 

[Sharp Shooter]

That’s great that you came to the rescue!! Hopefully the karma train will circle round and deliver you something awesome!

 

[monkeyswrench]

You did real good today. You learned, and shared what you did as well. Hopefully they learned as well, and also share it. Regardless, either way, everyone involved lived to talk about it.

As for doing things differently today, like heading further north than usual, all things happen for a reason. Maybe it was a test for you, or you were meant to save others, but it was meant to happen apparently.

 

[Outdrive1]

Good job and thank God you were there.

 

[X Hoser]

Along the lines of your Thread Title, a few things to consider. Try not to enter the water with the victims unless absolutely necessary! A drowning person, or dog for that matter, will do ANYTHING to save themselves. Including pushing you under in an atempt to keep their own head above water. Thus, only go into the water if you have a life jacket on! Always attempt to approach the victim from behind so you can push them away if they become too aggressive. Try to maneuver the boat to enable you to pull them in. Especially being alone, if the boat floats away you all will be in trouble, especially without life jackets. Life jacket location and accessibility must be known. In the event they are needed, it’s probably too late to look for them.

You are the definition of a Hero! Risking your own life for the well-being of another. So glad it worked out and we are all guilty of not being as prepared as we should be. Also, CPR is a layman’s skill and very easy to learn. No reason for anyone not to have that training!

 

[RichL]

Good on you.

You made a major impact on lives today.

 

[Spot]

Outstanding save.

 

[4Waters]

You should head up to their camp tomorrow and check on them.

 

[Backlash]

Post of the summer in my opinion!! Nicely done! Had you not gone further up river, there is a good chance the headlines would be drastically different. Thank you for what you did!!

 

[bilz]

The right man at the right time!
Thank you for getting involved.
A major tragedy we didn't have to read about.

 

[BoatCop]

Along the lines of your Thread Title, a few things to consider. Try not to enter the water with the victims unless absolutely necessary! A drowning person, or dog for that matter, will do ANYTHING to save themselves. Including pushing you under in an atempt to keep their own head above water. Thus, only go into the water if you have a life jacket on! Always attempt to approach the victim from behind so you can push them away if they become too aggressive. Try to maneuver the boat to enable you to pull them in. Especially being alone, if the boat floats away you all will be in trouble, especially without life jackets. Life jacket location and accessibility must be known. In the event they are needed, it’s probably too late to look for them.

That's the first thing they teach in WSI (Water Safety Instructor) Training.

Reach, Throw, Row, Go! (in that order!)

 

[Desert Whaler]

Great Job !
That's a LOT of individual things that could've taken a turn for the worse . . . glad everyone, including yourself are alright.

I was raised at the beach . . . but I've learned that the river is a WHOLE different animal.

One thing I tell people when they ask what the river is like, (for boating/fishing) is . . . "It's a LOT gnarlier than you'd think . . . at the beach you can get thumped by a set wave and it may tumble you a bit, but after it's over you'll pop-up . . . if you get pinned, flipped, stuck, or something else on the river, the current doesn't stop, it's relentless and can be deadly.

Once again . . .nice work and glad to hear everyone was OK.

 

[Romans9]

Wow.
You were close to death just as they were.
Thank you for remembering the dignity of human life.
I will confess that after being on RDP and reading these stories I will insist on life vests for everyone from here on out.

 

[PlanB]

Great job! Glad to hear everyone made it including the dog. People that are not strong swimmers need to consider wearing life jackets and I always have jackets on my dogs when they are on the boat.

 

[Xtrmwakeboarder]

Man, a true hero. We need more people like you in this world.

 

[Rayson1971]

Kinda seems you were ment to do this today. Youvdid a bunch of stuff you never do. Something pulled you to do something different today and you listened. The overseer works in wondrous way. I applaud you sir. You saved a weekend of horror for some today.

 

[Flatsix66]

That's the first thing they teach in WSI (Water Safety Instructor) Training.

Reach, Throw, Row, Go! (in that order!)

View attachment 1395817

Thanks for showing this. The second I jumped in the water I knew it was a mistake. I left the boat alone, nobody could get me If it floated away. I should have stayed in the boat, I keep a long oar next to the helm seat but didn't think to use it...dummy. The other vests and throwable was under the bow, getting under there in a hurry is not really an easy thing to do. I'm probably not going to sleep thinking about what I could have put my family through. I'm actually getting really mad at myself for taking that risk.

 

[24 Sleekenforcer]

Good for you being there to help, everything was meant for you to be there to help them. A god send. It wasn’t their time, you were supposed be there. Good for you.

 

[DWC]

You sir are a beast. Thanks for sharing your experience to help us all out in the future.

 

[Todd Mohr]

Nice job!

 

[NicPaus]

Thanks!

I just ordered a throwable for my ski. I have 1 on the boat with rope 1 without within reach.

 

[77charger]

good you were there to save them.We joke at times why do we need a throwable and this is a reason why.But good thing you saw them and able to save them you dont realize how tired you can get in the water and we aint teens with energy anymore.

Would it have been possible that they were not easily seen in the bushes by other boaters?I myself dont stop for everything if they appear ok but will if waved down.

Heck couple years ago at pleasant i saw a girl floating in a tube it got breezy and she was a long ways away from shore,Her boyfriend decided to swim out to get her but wind was moving her faster than he could swim (strong breeze) and he was a in shape guy.I saw thatno way he was going to catch her so i got on my jetski go get him and he was out of breath had him hang onto side of ski drag him to his girlfriend he gets onto tube i tie it to ski and drag them back.

They were both thankful but i gave him some words about a lifejacket and the dangers that can happen,That year there were already 5 drownings by that time.They were from out of state so not familiar with area weather at the lake.

 

[coolchange]

Thanks for showing this. The second I jumped in the water I knew it was a mistake. I left the boat alone, nobody could get me If it floated away. I should have stayed in the boat, I keep a long oar next to the helm seat but didn't think to use it...dummy. The other vests and throwable was under the bow, getting under there in a hurry is not really an easy thing to do. I'm probably not going to sleep thinking about what I could have put my family through. I'm actually getting really mad at myself for taking that risk.

I’m glad you brought that up. My first thought was he left the boat alone?
Good on you for helping out and saving a family’s tragedy.

 

[riverroyal]

It's all been said...but you saved lives today. It won't set in for some time.

The universe works in strange ways. It had you in the right place today for no explainable reason at all.

 

[riverroyal]

Not to distract from this but it just brought back a wake up call I had 10 years ago at the islander.
Remember outcoled from here and hotboat?
He floated on a boogie board about 10 feet from shore with a box anchor resting on the board to drop in...yep, rope wrapped around his leg. Pulled him to the bottom.
Few people were on the shore and saw it happen. Dove down and cut rope or untangled. Can't remember.

He was very lucky and shook up for a long time.
I have carried a pocket knife in my board shorts since then.

I'm going to up my throwable game thanks to you, I appreciate that!

 

[jetboatperformance]

Great story you’re an awesome person should be proud

 

[oldboatsrule]

@Flatsix66 You sir are a badass! Your actions changed lives forever. How many of us can say that today?

Sometimes stars align. Today YOU were the shining star those folks needed.

Sleep well tonight knowing you made a huge difference today.

 

[YeahYeah01]

Agree with everyone here. Amazing what you accomplished..of course hindsight you would have been a bit more prepared or done a couple things differentz but you reacted and it worked out for all. Sometimes screwing up still gets the job done. And the best learning experience comes from experience. I learned for this thread to set up a throwable with a rope. Seems common sense now but I've never thought of it. I'll tell everyone one I know as well.

 

[Aces & Eights]

I’d like to buy you a beer. The fact there are people like you out there help me keep faith in humanity.

 

[Rennsport]

True hero ! Well done and thanks for sharing this with us. Only good comes from this.

 

[Flatsix66]

Thanks for the kind words. You all would also respond, probably less bumbling than me. It's a circumstance thing, it happened as I was cruising by, if you had cruised by at that same moment you also would do something, I know, at least RDP people would do the same thing.

I am still shaken up, Cadillac Margaritas help though.

 

[rrrr]

You risked your life to save those two people and the dog. Very few are brave enough to do that, and you have all my respect.

Fate placed you there. You did the rest.

 

[rrrr]

I'm posting separately about weighted throwable rescue bags. Every boat should have one on board, and the captain and crew should practice using it. They are far superior to a Type IV throwable cushion, because the bag can be retrieved from a missed throw, and also the victim can be pulled toward the boat after they grab the rope and bag.

The loop is placed around the wrist, and the throw unravels the rope from inside the bag. When practicing just throw the bag from the boat at a target on the beach to get an idea of the toss needed. The factory lay of the rope in the bag needs to be preserved.

Amazon.com

 

[X Hoser]

Thanks for showing this. The second I jumped in the water I knew it was a mistake. I left the boat alone, nobody could get me If it floated away. I should have stayed in the boat, I keep a long oar next to the helm seat but didn't think to use it...dummy. The other vests and throwable was under the bow, getting under there in a hurry is not really an easy thing to do. I'm probably not going to sleep thinking about what I could have put my family through. I'm actually getting really mad at myself for taking that risk.

Don’t beat yourself up! You successfully saved 3 lives! Don’t turn a positive outcome into a negative for yourself. It’s called “Experience”. We learn from our experiences.

 

[coolchange]

Used to have one of these on the boat with a line on it. Took it out but it’s going back in. Not that I get to boat anymore

 

[mbrown2]

Rope going on a throwable next time out... Amazing effort on your part! Saved 3...and yourself.

 

[FreeBird236]

You did a very good thing and should be very proud. I couldn't help but think towards the end of the story, do you think the people learned anything about PFDs themselves?

 

[Spitfire]

You were meant to be there to make this happen. Although it could have went several different waysA, it didn’t. You learned , shared and should be very proud of you actions. You saved lives, period.

 

[That Guy]

At a moments notice shit can take a turn and get serious real fast.

I took the Cougar up river this morning solo from Windsor, usually when I do this I just zip up to the no-wake line at the gorge and come back. Today for some reason I thought I'd go further up and get lunch at Pirates. After lunch I did another odd thing I never do and went up river, no flat water to have fun with a bunch of people pulling kids and stuff, quite a few people on the water for a Tuesday. After a few miles I was just getting ready to turn back when I saw a lady clinging to the reeds on the AZ side waving me down frantically, I shut down and turned toward her. She was clinging to a large dog, the dog was paddling frantically to keep them both afloat. As I get closer she yells that her husband is drowning and point down river to help him. He is about 50 yards down floating fast in the river, he looks like he is really struggling to stay above water. I keep going toward him, he is non verbal at this point, I throw him a vest and he grabs it. I look back toward her and her dog is done, she lets go and starts to go down. I go back to her and I can't find another vest within reach or my throwable, but she is close enough to grab my swim platform. Her dog Is now floating down river about even with me in the boat, so I jump in (no vest on) to get the dog, I pull the dog up and try to swim back to the boat with him but he is killing me, I had to let him go and get back to the boat, kind of half swimming and pushing him every other stroke.

The dog and I get back to the boat swim step and hang on. The lady, hanging on to the swim step is too tired and gassed out to get in the boat, we both just hang on trying to catch our breaths for a few minutes. The 75lb dog is kinda clinging to me and the swim step. She finally gets in and helps me get the dog on the transom. We go back and help him back in but he is too gassed out to help himself onto the swim step but we eventually pull him in. I'm bleeding pretty good on my forearm, the dogs claws cut me up a bit, otherwise everyone is ok.

As we are heading back up river to their day camp, she tells me they had been in the water for an hour and nobody would stop. Given the distance and speed of the current I think it was more like 5-10 minutes they were in the water but it is amazing with all the other boaters that nobody else stopped to help. Apparently they were all in an inflatable floaty thing and fell out then the current took them all down river.

This was a big wake up call for me, I learned some lessons today:
1. Be better prepared, should have had better access to more life vests and throwable.
2. Have a better plan in case this happens again. Generally we have it covered for the people in our boat, but never expected to come across people in the river while boating alone.
3. I should have put a vest on for myself before jumping in the water. The current there is killer.

Have a great 4th of July weekend everyone, I hope these lessons are something that makes us think about water safety more.

Excellent job and some great follow up tips. Thank you!!