*** Haw River, NC Rescue  ***

From: Robin Pope <rhpope1@EOS.NCSU.EDU>
Newsgroups: misc.emerg-services
Subject: River rescues
Date: Tue, 29 Aug 1995 15:31:04 -0400

   On August 28th, a U.S. Army helicopter was used to rescue two boaters
from the Haw River, near Pittsboro, NC. The river was above flood stage at
the time of the rescue. Both boaters were recovered without harm. However, a
flight medic received minor injuries while attempting to reach one of the
victims. According to news reports, the medic was treated at Womack Army
hospital and has been released. In addition to the helicopter, at least one
ambulance  and one fire truck appear to have responded. News reports state
that the victims were "experts" and  "experienced boaters". A spokesperson
for a responding fire department agreed with this assessment. However,
members of the local paddling community strongly  disagree. Many local
paddlers believe the victims should  be charged for the full cost of the
rescue operation. Others believe that the victims should have been left to
fend for themselves.

The Haw River is a popular novice-level river at low to medium water levels.
Appropriate levels are published in a number of guidebooks. However, when
the river is at or near flood stage, the river requires advanced paddling
skills. High water is easy to identify on the Haw, because the river water
resembles chocolate milk, and flows through (and, in some cases, over) trees
on the river banks. At high water, the Haw can be paddled safely by a
boater who possesses excellent self-rescue skills, familiarity  with the
river when it is not at flood stage, experience with fast moving, pushy
water, and a group of fellow paddlers to provide aid if a problem does
arise.

Unfortunately, the victims in both rescues did not meet these criteria.
After watching newscasts about the rescue on August 28, I had a few
questions that I hoped could be answered or discussed  here. Specific
answers, general comments, SOPs, related  anecdotes, or anything else would
be greatly appreciated.

1)    How do various fire/rescue/EMS agencies decide when to
      use a helicopter for a swiftwater rescue (or for other
     technical rescues)?  Is this a gut call, or do you have
    specific SOPs?

  2) What type of swiftwater rescue training do rescuers  have (e.g.,
     swiftwater rescue technician), and where did they receive the training?
  3) How often do rescuers practice the skills? How often are the skills
     used?
  4) What type of rescue equipment do agencies have available for rapid use
     (e.g., rafts, hard boats, boogie boards, throw ropes,...)?
  5) Does your organization charge victims for swiftwater or other technical
     rescues (e.g., backwoods search and rescue, climbing rescues,...)?
     How are charges determined?
  6) If your organization is involved with swiftwater rescue, do you
     interact with with local paddling groups, either for training, or for
     assistance during actual rescues?  If not, why not?  Also, if anyone
     has any additional information about the rescue on August 28th, I would
     appreciate it if you forward the  information to me.

    Thank you,        Robin Pope  (rhpope1@eos.ncsu.edu)
    safety chair, Carolina Canoe Club

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