AQUATIC www.t-rescue.com

he "throwbag" or "Rescue Bag," long before other rescuers saw the Swiftwater and Flood has become virtually value of the throwbag, particularly Tsynonymous with swiftwater rope rescue teams, who had rescue over the last 25 years, as traditionally coiled their ropes, and Rescues familiar to rescue teams as the were then forced to "flake" the rope lifejacket and inexpensive whitewater out before it could be used. As the helmet that covers the ears of the result rescue ropes, some up to 300 wearer. Like the helmet and m. long, are now routinely stuffed into Rescue lifejacket, there are as many types bags, so that they can immediately be and designs of throwbags as there used. are manufacturers, as virtually every And the rest, as they say, is history. company with an industrial sewing The endless arguments since then Throw Bags machine have felt compelled to enter have centered around: how to throw the market with their "unique" it, retrieve the line and toss a second product. Today there are bags time, belay a swimmer with it, and Part 3 of our continuing series: "Swiftwater varying in quality from "home other uses for it. Rescue-Back to Basics”. brewed" bags put together from a Construction and design of "rescue" stuff sack and cheap line by small bags has certainly improved since our departments determined to "save early homemade versions. money," to aerodynamically designed "Premium" rescue bags today are bags capable of deploying extremely made of 1000 dernier nylon to reduce long distances. damage from wear, have grommets to Indeed, when questioned, most reduce rope wear, are stuffed with water rescuers consider the throwbag high-density foam and use hybrid the minimum requirement for shore- ropes for great strength. Early bags based rescue techniques. were stuffed with simple braided Yet, when I started working as a polypropylene. The rope floated, but commercial whitewater guide in had little tensile strength. 1973 there was no such thing as a Today's throwbags are filled with throwbag on the river. Instead we ropes made of a mixture of carried short hanks of rope for polypropylene, Perlon, and Spectra ™ bowlines, and for throwing if to provide not only a bit of positive necessary. buoyancy, but also enough strength so Legend has it that the throwbag that they can be used in some rope was the result of a couple of rescue applications in an emergency. canoeists in the northeast of the US "Rescue" bags today generally come delving into an old nautical training in three lengths, depending on use. book; they supposedly saw a drawing Small "parrot" bags, generally of a canvas bucket with rope stuffed containing less than 9 m. of 8 mm, into it utilized as a "field expedient" are designed for boat-based rescues-a device for passing a line from ship to guide making a short toss to a ship at sea. Using a sleeping bag passenger who has fallen out-as well stuff sack and some light as for emergency tie-lines, flip lines polypropylene line the throwbag was and anchors. "Standard" rescue bags born. Later on a piece of foam was generally contain 18 to 25 m. of 9- added to provide some flotation in mm. line. And some bags are filled aerated water. Soon canoeists and with as much as 30 m. of rope, kayakers in the east were carrying though it is a rare and strong arm that bags, and eventually professional guides started to see the value in them. A variation of the original idea that has continued to be used is simply a plastic jug with cheap line stuff into it. These "rescue jugs" are found throughout the US, particularly in the trunks of large fleets of police cars in flood-prone southern states. By the time we started teaching the Swiftwater Rescue Technician program in 1979, the throwbag was part of our curriculum, as it was in similar schools in Ohio, North Carolina and elsewhere by the American Association. Indeed the antecedent of the rope bag for high angle rescue teams was the humble throw bag. It wasn't too

30 ISSUE 43 TECHNICALrescue www.t-rescue.com AQUATIC can pitch one that far. designed to be used as "strong of skills tests, one of which is to throw 2. The thrower should choose a Bag design has changed little in all swimmer" belt, to carry extra gear for a rescue bag twice within 20 seconds place with good footing, of that time, other than cosmetically. boat wraps-such as a prusik loop and to victims at least 15 m. from shore, hopefully with an eddy Some designers make the bags a carabiner-and to attach flip lines. moving downstream at 20 kph. First- immediately downstream, and completely of mesh so that the water Some have the bag inside a pouch. time failure rate at that station perhaps with a tree or rock close will drain out; while others are fully And some have a bag on a quickly averages more than 50% at hand in case it is necessary to encased so that the water will stay in release strap on the side so it can be internationally. Instructors are take a half-turn with the rope for the bag to aid a second toss. Most thrown in a "quick draw" motion. required to pass that test in 15 additional friction. If necessary, a are cut cylindrically with a flat Below: Northwater "butt-style" seconds or less. place should be chosen so that bottom, but some are cut in a flatter bag/belt. The test is simply designed to the rescuer can walk shape. Some are made with a Regardless of design many highlight the fact that most thrown downstream as he or she pulls rubber "bobber" on one end to aid in organizations operate under the ropes miss on the first toss, and the the victim towards the bank. a second toss, while elsewhere, comfortable delusion that, having rescuer needs to have training and The thrower should avoid places particularly in the general opinion of purchased lifejackets and throwbags, technique to get the rope back and where the victim will swing into the British Canoe Union, the end of they have dealt with the basic issues throw it again before the victim is rocks, debris piles or other the line must ABSOLUTELY be of water safety and primary water washed beyond reach. hazards, and should avoid "clean," with no knots or attachments, rescue. throwing from the inside of turns, to avoid getting the end of the rope The reality is that the throwbag is Practice Makes Perfect since the current will push the stuck in rocks and other obstructions like the kit that hangs near I generally start my throwbag drill by victim hanging on to the rope in current. In recent years, many the water cooler in many offices, having students face each other about towards the outside of the turn. companies, including Force 6, providing a subliminal comfort level to 15 m. apart in two opposing lines, 3. Ideally there should be at least Northwater, and Northwest River employees just by being there. Then, and then have them simply toss the two throwers set up as safety. If Supply, have adapted the concept on the day it is most needed, those bags back and forth. This drill gives such is not possible, the single originally created by Downstream opening it discover a mystifying Products of Bothell, Washington, US, bundle of vials, bandages and and have made a bewildering packages. selection of "butt bag" throw lines, the Like the office worker and the first idea being that the thrower can aid kit, most rescuers note the

them an idea of the weight, the arc thrower should have more than needed to get the back the distance, one bag. I suggest a series of and the point in the arc at which they bags, tied to trees or posts, so should release the bag. I don't make that one thrower can run along a big deal about stance, which foot to the bank, throwing bags as go forward, whether to hold on to the necessary. strap or the bag, or whether to throw 4. Accuracy is the key. The rope sidearm, underhand, or overhand. should be thrown UPSTREAM of The idea is simply to get the back the thrower but IMMEDIATELY accurately from here to there. IN FRONT of the intended Once everyone is comfortable, and victim, with the bag beyond the simply undo the buckle, take out the presence of the rescue bag, but never with the caveat that there are victim. If the rope is upstream of end of the rope and throw the whole take it off the truck. After all, its approximately 200 ways that have a victim in panic, it is unlikely he rig. Some of these arrangements are there, its full of rope, its use is been suggested as to how to do this, I will look around for it, and even obvious. Whitewater guides, recommend as follows: it drifts downstream and around canoeists and kayakers are equally 1. The end of the rope should be the swimmer's neck, such a sanguine, generally not taking the held in the offside hand, and the victim is unlikely to even realize time to practice with this most basic bag should be thrown with the the rope is there. If it thrown too of rescue tools, resulting in poor strong arm. far downstream it is unlikely the performance when needed most. victim will swim for it, The result is that in the moment of particularly if thrown in aerated urgency and emotion rescue ropes are waves. All that should be inexpertly thrown-short of the victim, necessary is for the victim to behind the victim, too far downstream simply grab the rope. of the victim, behind the thrower, up 5. The rescuer should communicate into the trees, and occasionally the his intention by yelling, blowing a whole thing is thrown into the river! whistle, and holding the bag up In short, most rescuers are miserable for the swimmer to see. If the at simply throwing a rope, much less swimmer DOES get the line, the to a distressed victim 20 m. from the thrower should encourage the bank going off in the dark at 30 kph! swimmer to "get on your back!" By way of example: The test for The natural instinct is to roll over certification as a Swiftwater/Flood on one's face in order to see the Rescue Technician © includes a series thrower, which will create more

TECHNICALrescue ISSUE 43 31 AQUATIC www.t-rescue.com

surface. victim would simply stay in one Cyalume light stick to the place long enough to pull back bottom of the bag, so that 8. In situations where the water is the entire rope in order to throw swimmer will actually see what moving very quickly and the the bag! The bags with the big they are swimming for! shock load is going to be big, rubber float on the end are more than two rescuers should designed so that the float helps Having covered those basic hold on to the rope, or one that second toss, and to provide suggestions, I then have one line of rescuer should hold the rope some flotation on the end of the students take the end of the rope while another holds on to him. line. from the bag, hold on as suggested However, I strongly advise 11. The THIRD TOSS will be the bag, and lob the bag to their opposite, the avoiding "body belays," or putting partially filled with water, with idea being to try to put the bag the rope around one's waist. This some small coils in the hand in through the upheld arms of the stance looks good in the movies, order to give it some distance. "target," not unlike goal posts. I also but one must remember that the 12. The rope is ALMOST ALWAYS caution those opposite to protect their shock load of even one swimmer recoiled in to the strong hand. faces if it looks like the bag is going drag, potentially pulling the at the downstream end of a 15 Experience and time have shown to hit them square on. swimmer under, or forcing him to m. rope in a 20 kph current will that trying to recoil into the off- Once the bag is thrown, students let go. Ideally, the person be several hundred kilos hand and then transferring the then practice recoiling into their receiving the line should transfer minimum. Thus the well- coils inevitably leads to the coils strong hands and throwing the coils. the rope to the OUTSIDE hand, intentioned rescue is in danger of becoming enmeshed, so that They then re-stuff the bag, something which helps set him into a "ferry" a lower leg injury or even being when they are thrown they only they will quickly discover is the most angle to the current, thus pulling pulled in as well. go a few feet. tedious but necessary of basic him to the bank faster. 9. Instead, the diagonal belay, as 13. The most common error with swiftwater rescue skills. Properly re- 6. Once the victim has the rope, the taught in the UK, is suggested, this method is the failure to stuffing the throwbag is best done by rescuer should quickly transfer when a belay has to be used at transfer the end either using the thumb and first two the end of the rope to the strong all. The rope is thrown from the of the rope from fingers of one hand as a guide and hand and bring back as much strong hand with the rope the off-hand to then put the entire other hand in the slack as behind and over the opposite the strong hand. bag in order to pull the rope in; or run possible, in a shoulder, the opposite leg ends Instead, the the rope either over the shoulder or small up forward in the toss, so the rescuer starts through a carabiner hanging on the "butterfly coil." thrower can pull in with the bringing coils front of the life jacket, so that the This will strong arm, down with the off- back to the both hands can be used to push the prepare the hand arm, and squat at the strong hand, and rope into the bag a few inches at a rescuer either same time, then attempt to throw the time. for a second thus putting MIDDLE of the rope. So critical is this skill that the toss using the the force 14. Another common error follows instructor must caution students to coils, or, if the downward and the suggestion of standing on avoid speeding up the tedium by victim DOES get the rope, the establishing a the rope while recoiling. While grabbing several loops and shoving coils provide some slack to help lower center of this suggestion makes sense on them in the bag, as this will cause a keep the victim on the surface gravity. If the face of it, rescuers frequently "bird's nest" of rope to potentially while he is being towed towards unable to hold move their feet just prior to hang up the toss the next time the shore. the line, the tossing the line, and simply bag is used. The small loop frequently seen in absence of the throw the whole kit and After a couple of tosses and re- throw bags should be kept small knot in the end makes good sense caboodle into the river as the stuffs on each side, we repeat the enough so that the thrower is not with this technique, since the result! drill, only for time. The requirement tempted to put it over his or her rope will simply slide throw one's 15. A caution must be to emphasize is to toss the bag twice, wrist! Further, as mentioned, hands and away. that all these drills involve ACCURATELY, within 20 seconds. there is some merit to the idea of 10. In the very likely event that the throwing a bag to someone This portion of the drill is endlessly not have any knot in the end of thrower misses on the first toss, wearing flotation; and that during entertaining, with ropes going in the rope at all, since if the the drill remains the same: The flood rescues it is improbable every direction except towards the rescuer is forced to let go and the thrower transfers the end of the that victims will have such "victim," and the majority of second victim is ensnared in the thrown rope to the strong hand and flotation. So, if the rope does tosses not even close. rope, the end will not "chock" on starts re-coiling in small butterfly reach the victim the rescuer the bottom of the river, creating a coils, while coiling he moves MUST encourage the swimmer Practice makes Perfect potential entrapment, where a downstream until he has enough to stay on his or her back, and At this juncture students start to few seconds before there was a rope to reach NOT roll over to look at their understand why we've spent so much rescue. the victim and savior, since that will like push time on such a seemingly simple then throws them underwater, and most skill. As the course goes on, tosses 7. Since the victim will frequently the END OF certainly will put water in their become progressively farther and not be wearing flotation, any THE ROPE as face. At the same time the more accurate. The "trick" is to tension on the line may pull him the second rescuer will need to be moving- continue the practice as an on-going or her under the water. Once toss. running more likely-downstream thing. I always suggest to firefighters tension is on the line and the Granted, most while pulling the swimmer to the that they play a variation on victim is swinging toward the programs bank, since too much pressure "horseshoes" with the bags. Teams of bank, the rescuer can either walk suggest the on the rope will force the two set mop buckets up on the apron downstream while pulling in bag partially filled with water as swimmer to let go. behind the station about 50 feet more rope, or play out slack to the most effective second toss, 16. A final suggestion for night apart. Each team has three help keep the victim on the which is a good idea if the operations is to secure a throwbags. The idea is to throw the

32 ISSUE 43 TECHNICALrescue www.t-rescue.com AQUATIC bags in the bucket-good for three narrow-such as flooded low-water shotgun. assist an injured or unconscious points. A bag that "leans" on the crossings, rivers with extreme drops, The "shotgun toss" also is a floating victim; and that free bucket is worth two points and a bag and narrow storm channels. All of potential way to catch two swimmers, swimming rescues in current present that lands within a bag's length of the these situations beg the questions: Is one on each toss, the hazard being the greatest challenges and hazards to bucket is worth one. The first team it effective to throw a 75 foot that the thrower on the bank is left rescuers, one alternative that has to score 21 wins! throwbag when the distance is only hanging on to the middle of the rope become standard practice is a Another fun drill is to simulate the 30 feet or less? with double the load! In such tethered swimming rescue, combining hammer toss with the bag. Each And what to do for a second toss situations another rescuers to help a rope with the "quick release" rescue contestant in turn holds on to the bag when the victim goes rocketing past at hold the lines would be advisable. belts that have either become part of by the handle and can approach the 20 miles per hour? The answer to many rescue lifejackets, or the line either with a twist or any other both questions is that in such The "Human Throw Bag," or "Live- independent rescue belt/bag wind-up, the winner throws the bag circumstances it is virtually impossible Bait" Rescue Technique combinations, or independent rescue down range the farthest, but within to recover all the line and throw Given that shore-based line throwing swimmer harnesses mentioned flags set up 20 feet apart. Each effectively a second time. techniques are virtually useless to earlier. contestant gets three tosses. A possible solution is the "shotgun Originally developed for offshore toss." The throwbag MUST have a rescue operations, the harnesses are Variations On The Theme loop in the end, or alternatively, as now integral to many swiftwater The "Shotgun" Toss goofy as they appear, one of the rescue lifejackets. Like the throwbag The biggest challenge for the rescuer throwbags with a float ball attached to they have become so commonplace with a throwbag is getting the line the end is a good alternative for this that many rescuers simply assume accurately to the swimmer who is method. their ease of use. moving past at some considerable The thrower takes the first half of But like the throwbag nothing could speed. And the faster the current the bag out in loops in the strong be farther from fact. the greater the challenge. Thus the hand, holding on to the bag with the Early stories of tethered swimmers basic concept of making sure that weak one. The coils are thrown first, emerged from Russia over two multiple throwbaggers are set up, (1 in the picture) and if the swimmer decades ago. Russian whitewater ideally on both sides of the river, doesn't catch the rope, the thrower enthusiasts, hardy pioneers, downstream of the rescue location as quickly switches hands and throws determined to run as much of downstream protection. the bag as the SECOND toss, (2 in challenging rivers as possible despite Frequently rescuers find the picture.). Thus, two tosses can homemade rafts and inadequate themselves protecting extremely fast be made in virtually as many seconds, lifejackets and equipment, developed moving locations, which may be effectively like a double-barreled a last-resort technique for catching

TECHNICALrescue ISSUE 43 33 AQUATIC www.t-rescue.com

rafts headed for falls and dangerous back plate to increase the friction by entrapped by the strap is virtually drops. One fearless, (possibly brain- weaving the webbing through it first. eliminated. dead) participant, donned a pair of US manufacturers recommend the There are other, completely coveralls stuffed with extra flotation webbing always be weaved as independent "live bait" tethered and tied a rope around his waist. If illustrated, while European boaters swimmer "systems," designed to suggest going straight through the simply be worn over the top of any buckle, since the back plate may PFD, such as the one shown here create so much friction that the belt from Northwater. won't slide when the buckle is opened The "live-bait" rescue lifejacket is under some low pressure situations. not, as mentioned, foolproof. Finally, if the life jacket is being Sometimes the system won't release used for swiftwater rescue, most when the toggle is pulled-either professional urge the use of the "cow's because the webbing is folded over, or tail," an additional webbing strap with sometimes because the carabiner a carabiner on the end that is fixed to attached the back ring has slid across the quick release point in the back of and hooked on the belt loop-a design the paddleboat or raft missed the last the jacket. The carabiner is then flaw in most US manufactured rescue eddy and throwbaggers stationed on attached with a breakaway loop to the lifejackets. Sometimes the system include a drill where I tether each the bank, this "forlorn hope" then front of the jacket. The rescuer can releases when the rescuer doesn't student in the middle of the river and jumped from the bank into, or close then hook him up to the rope without want it to-generally because a have them purposefully release from to, the boat, thus "anchoring" it so it dislocating his arm trying to reach combative swimmer grabs the toggle the jacket. This drill gives the could swing to safety! behind. This cow's tail also aids an during a struggle, or because the student an idea of how an air pocket The most obvious downside of this entrapped swimmer, since they can buckle wasn't compressed closed will start to form over the head of a particular "system" was that the hook themselves up to a line thrown completely at the outset. trapped victim; and also how such a potential for tied to the end to them. So, using these jackets as an two point system could be used in a of the rope was fairly good. The best "cow's tail" system on the adjunctive rescue tool is HIGHLY very high-risk application to lower a The quick-release system initially market is on the swiftwater rescue recommended to be a technician-level rescuer down to an entrapped victim. grew in popularity among European jacket generally recognized as the best skill, and should be further restricted Again, the jacket doesn't always whitewater boaters, who saw its use in the field, the Force 6 SRS Lifejacket to strong, confident swimmers, who work as advertised. more for rescuing entrapped ™ made by Force 6 of Vancouver, feel they could make the swim even As mentioned earlier in this series, swimmers and kayakers, rather than B.C. www.force6.com Unlike other without the aid of a back-up rope. rescue swimmers should wear fins; as a swimming rescue tool. The designs the harness strap clips close Again, too much dependence on the the extra propulsion is needed to get harness design has changed little, to the chest and over the shoulder. equipment, rather than skill, can be a out into current fast enough so that featuring a plastic buckle with a The rescuer can easily hook himself formula for failure. they can reach the victim; plus, if quick-release toggle, and generally a up, but the chances of getting the In my swiftwater rescue class I necessary, they can reverse and use

34 ISSUE 43 TECHNICALrescue www.t-rescue.com AQUATIC

the fins to keep themselves away from a victim in full-blown panic. The best fin currently on the market for this purpose is the US Divers Shredder Fin. ™ (See Product News item this issue). Scuba fins are too long, and don't work effectively in the laminar flows common to river currents. In essence, the technique is just what the names imply, the swimmer becomes a "throw bag," throwing himself into the river with a rope attached to the release point on the back of the jacket, swimming out to grab the unconscious or injured victim, and both are then pulled back to safety. This technique even works well for combative victims, since the rescue swimmer only has to hold his breath for a few seconds while being pulled to safety. In fact, rescue swimmers have actually grabbed two or three floating victims in one attempt. As long as there are enough rescuers on the bank holding on to the rope, such multiple rescues are certainly possible. The trick with this technique, like the throwbag, is timing. If the swimmer goes too early it is hard to stay in current waiting for the victim to reach him. If he goes too late he may have to chase the swimmer, possible to the end of the rope. Even

TECHNICALrescue ISSUE 43 35 AQUATIC www.t-rescue.com

device had a light polypropylene line wound around the outside, the idea being that while holding one end the rescuer could throw the "rescue disc" to the distressed swimmer. Since the idea of getting hit between the eyes by the disc was scarier than the potential for catching the line and being pulled to the bank, I put mine in my basement Museum of Failed Rescue Devices. Now it has re-appeared, but in a significantly improved design. The Life Saver ™ is easy to use, goes a good distance, and provides several pounds of positive flotation, as it is foam-covered! It is easy to re-toss as well. The inflatable throw bag from Rescue Solutions International of San Diego, California also gives the swimmer a inflated ring buoy, a definite plus. the entry is important. I suggest a design. head up "belly flop" so that the Covered in an earlier issue the The Future swimmer can get across the helical REACH ™ device, developed by early As I write this somewhere there is a flow into the fast current as quickly Rescue 3 instructor Mike Croslin of rescuer who has already thought of as possible, rather than a jump or Crossline Systems of San Rafael, the next development in making a "scooting" entry. The head is kept California, is ideal for securing a swiftwater or flood rescue faster and up to keep an eye on the swimmer floating rope, for instance when trying safer. The technology is there to and to protect the cervical spine. to pass a line across the river. The make smaller and lighter throwing I've determined that the faster REACH will grab another rope devices, and better adjunctive swimmer and victim get back to the virtually without fail. devices. Force 6, for instance, has a bank, the less the chances of One suggested use is as "reverse new release system design which is something going wrong during the throw bag," for rescue swimmers or likely to revolutionize lifejacket attempt. Further, there are for rescue boats. The REACH can design within the next few years. At situations where the angle on the either be attached to the front of the the moment, however, it is in the "I rope will be wrong to be pulled back rescue jacket over the rescue "blow- have to kill you after I show it to you" to the bank, such as deploying a out" belt or kept clipped in a boat. stage. swimmer from the inside of a turn. A downstream fixed line is then And most encouragingly these new For safety and speed, the "vector set, either floating along an eddy line, devices are less oriented towards pull" works well. A least two or at a diagonal (illustrations). The rafters and kayakers, and more rescuers on his direct line protect the swimmer or boater pulls out the oriented towards their much greater rescue swimmer, while one or two a year I see "new concept" rescue REACH and throws it FROM the need in the growing others are deployed downstream at bags, but very few have more than water towards the fixed rope. The swiftwater/flood/tsunami events least the same distance as the cosmetic changes. REACH clips on and the swimmer, or occurring around the world. potential swim, with a rope attached However, two newly designed boat, swings to the bank. The throwbag and other shore- to the first line by a carabiner. throwbags are definitely a quantum (www.crosslinesolutions.com ) based methods account for the vast As soon as leap forward. Finally, a note about a device we majority of swiftwater rescues the swimmer The Force 6 Rescue Bag ™ saw several years and and most of us already. There is no reason that the reaches the (www.force6.com ) manufactured in discounted. A plastic Frisbee-like percentage can't increase. victim and Vancouver, BC, and developed by has a firm swiftwater rescue pioneer Jim Lavalley grip, BOTH is revolutionary in design and lines pull application. back, created While several bags have come out a mid-point in an envelope shape, the Force 6 bag vector and is the first to be specifically designed accelerating in a wing shape, so that it will both rescuer actually "fly" when thrown. The and victim patented design also keeps the quickly back majority of the rope in the bottom of to the bank. the bag, narrowing at the top. The combination of lower weight and wing Innovations shape allows even those with average and New strength to pitch the bag nearly 25 m. Devices on the first attempt, something only Several times the strongest can do with a "regular"

36 ISSUE 43 TECHNICALrescue