River Safety and Rescue (RSR) Training Guidelines

Irish Union Sport HQ, Park West, Dublin 12

01 6251105 www.canoe.ie

Irish Canoe Union RSR Trainer Notes 2

CONTENTS 1.01 Introduction 3 1.02 Personal Equipment 3 1.03 Understand Hydrology 5 1.04 Safe Practices - CLAP Principle 7 1.05 Risk Assessment – Decision Making 8 1.06 Safety Zones and Leadership 10 1.07 Safe River Running Methods 11 1.08 Prioritising Rescue - Safe order of priority – STIG 14 1.09 Self Rescue 15 1.10 Systematic approach to a rescue 16 1.11 Progression of Extraction 17 1.12 Access & Egress 19

BC RSR Notes - 03/12/2014 Irish Canoe Union RSR Trainer Notes 3

1.01 Introduction

These RSR Trainer Notes have been developed to support the provision of Canoeing Irelands River Safety & Rescue Awards. The notes are specifically designed for instructors delivering the RSR programme, however they will also be of interest to students and general members to assist in the development of their personal River Safety & Rescue Skills. In order to create an effective working document RSR competencies have not been repeated at each level if covered in the previous RSR level. In other words training at RSR 2 should ensure that all of the competencies under RSR 1 are understood and practiced by the course participants, likewise training at RSR 3 should ensure that the competencies under RSR 1 and RSR 2 are understood and practiced by the course participants. In some cases competencies are progressed from RSR 1 to RSR 2 to RSR 3, trainers must ensure that students understand and practice the fundamental competency before progressing to the more advanced competency.

1.02 Personal Equipment

RSR 1 RSR 2 RSR 3 Footwear . Importance of good footwear to avoid . Importance of good footwear to . Discuss importance of footwear for injury: standing on sharp objects in river manoeuvre on banks with out slipping or running on banks or carrying boats in twisting an ankle. portages without slipping. . Importance of fit of footwear so as not to loose it during swims. Helmet . How to identify appropriate helmet for . Importance of good coverage of . Discuss impact resistance and coverage flat water: CE approved, all straps and forehead, temples and back of head. of different helmet designs cradles functioning. . Importance of good fit to prevent helmet . How to fit helmet appropriately to cover moving in capsize. forehead and not move about, using the chin strap and cradle (if fitted). Buoyancy . How to identify appropriate buoyancy . Advantages of buoyancy aids with more aid: CE approved, minimum 50N than 50N buoyancy when in aerated buoyancy, good fit, and good adjustment water . How to fit buoyancy aid appropriately to ensure it does not slip off. Integrated . N/A . Importance of safe quick release system . When and how to use friction plate Harness (should only be used where release of

BC RSR Notes - 03/12/2014 Irish Canoe Union RSR Trainer Notes 4 the system would result in death or major injury and where a quick release would not be necessary under any circumstance) . Highlight danger of snap gate crabs on harness webbing Throwbag . Clean Rope Principle . Different Throw Bag Designs: Thick rope vs Narrow rope . Where to carry the rope . Importance of functioning quick release if rope is waist mounted Knife . Serrated blade with blunt end . Highlight ease of access . Single hand opening preferable . Discuss tying the knife to the buoyancy, preference to have knife tied to buoyancy with quick release system. Whistle . 1 Blast: look at me, continuous blasts: emergency (woops can be alternative) Mobile . N/A . Waterproof pouches, where to carry the . Useful numbers to have phone . Level 4 & 5 Instructors Phone . Kayaking Providers & Clubs per region . Kayaking & first aid providers . Canoeing Ireland Officers . Irish Hospitals Karabiner . N/A . 2 karabiners, one snap gate and one . 2 slings; at least one of which is an open screw gate sling; both should have a full sling length & Sling . 1 sling (open length) of 4-5m. . Sling should be open & 4-5 metres long . 2 snap gate karabiners, at least one of . Explain D shaped, Pear shaped (wide which is pear shaped (wide gate) gate), snap gate, screw gate and . 2 screw gate karabiners advantages of each type . Storage of sling and karabiner in waist tube First Aid . N/A . First aid kit to deal with Breathing, . First Aid Alternatives: Cling Film & Bleeding, Breaking. Pencil & Water Sanitary Towels Kit Proof Paper. Kisu . N/A . How to use & advantages . Flysheet from old tent will suffice

BC RSR Notes - 03/12/2014 Irish Canoe Union RSR Trainer Notes 5 Spare . N/A . Suitable cloths; thin hats, neck gators, xl fleece jackets Clothes . When to use spare clothes Repair Kit . N/A . Surf wax, duct tape (can be carried on paddle shaft), multi-tool . Where to salvage nuts & bolts on a boat; lock nut on foot plate. . How to make a spare bung from centre pillar foam Split . Demonstrate use and discuss . Using splits as splints application Paddle Prusik . N/A . 2 prusiks, 4-6mm climbing grade chord, open length of 2 metres, loop length of 1 metre . Explain how to tie fishermans knot to make a prusik Other . Permanent Marker . Fold out saw . Dental floss & needle . 1 metre length of piping Gear

1.03 Understand Hydrology

RSR 1 RSR 2 RSR 3 River . Explanation of River Left & Right Left & Right Flow & . Explanation of flow and eddy . Explanation of eddy line, demonstration Eddy of eddy line using rope lined up on one to show location. Wave . Explanation of Wave

BC RSR Notes - 03/12/2014 Irish Canoe Union RSR Trainer Notes 6 Stopper . Explanation of Stopper . Identifying safe & dangerous stoppers by the surface action of the water flowing back towards or away from the stopper . Discuss how to test a stopper Bends . Explain behaviour of water at bends . Fast water on outside, slow water on inside . Erosion on outside of bend, water pushes to outside of bend . Discuss momentum at bends, similar to racing line in track racing Strainer . Explain strainer, discuss how to identify, discuss implications. . Explain why often found on outside of bends; erosion of bank. Undercut . Explain undercut and discuss how to identify and where one would expect to see one; outside of bends, often on either side pools below significant drops , where water impacts heavily on rock to erode it. Siphon . Explain siphon and distinction from undercut. . Discuss how to identify and where one would expect to see a siphon; at rock outcrops on outside of bends, where water impacts heavily on rock to erode it through. Sieve . Explain sieve, discuss how to identify, discuss implications

BC RSR Notes - 03/12/2014 Irish Canoe Union RSR Trainer Notes 7

1.04 Safe Practices - CLAP Principle

RSR 1 RSR 2 RSR 3 Communication . Signals (visual/audio) must be clear, . Positive Pointing – only point where . Additional Visual Signals: Tongue, concise and agreed. you want people to go. Never point drop, boof, gorge . Audio - 1 whoop, or blast of whistle: at hazards! look at me, continuous whoops or . Additional Visual Signals: stop, go, blasts: emergency, stop and come to eddy in/out, go left/right/centre, push me left/right, stopper, rock, tree, all . Visual Signals – point to where you together, one at a time, take a look, want people to go, pat head – are you unrunable, portage, throw bag, get ok, response: pat head I’m ok, thumbs out, I need first aid. down I’m not ok . At singularities - No signal, no move, never assume it’s ok. Line of sight . All group members must be able to . Keep line of sight with the future . Never run anything blind, never see all other group members. environment. Ensure you can see assume it will be ok. Only trust line of . Responsibility is to be able to see the around bends or over horizon lines sight. person behind you when travelling, before committing to them. . Inspecting rapids, one person not the person in front. . All group members must be able to inspects and indicates line if see at least one other group member, appropriate. if travelling every group member should be able to see the person behind them. . During rescue maintain line of sight with upstream side of rescue to avoid water users coming down into the situation. Avoidance . Avoid Hazards where necessary, e.g. . Avoid hazards where necessary . Use risk assessment and decision trees, other water users, water intakes . Risk assessment and decision making processes to decide which at dams making. hazards must be avoided. . Avoid putting yourself, the team or the . Plan B – what to do if the main plan individual at unnecessary risk. fails? E.g. Downstream cover . Clean line principle. . Systematic approach to a rescue – Talk, Reach, Throw, Row, Go, Helo.

BC RSR Notes - 03/12/2014 Irish Canoe Union RSR Trainer Notes 8 Positioning . Positioning to protect against and . Tell the story before it happens. . Ask yourself why am I here? minimise risk of any hazards that can’t . What is most likely to go wrong and . Working as a group, to keep things be avoided. where? moving on more complex and difficult . Where would I be most useful if rapids. something does go wrong and what . Boat based rescues vs bank based am I going to do? rescues

1.05 Risk Assessment – Decision Making

RSR 1 RSR 2 RSR 3 Risk Assessment . Importance of awareness to . Present Prior Awareness Risk . Groups bigger than 7 should be empower natural risk aversion Assessment (info should be split up into smaller groups mechanisms sent out prior to the course) . Developing prior awareness . Awareness of impact of floods . Location on rivers & winds on the sea . Start & Finish Time, duration . Groups bigger than 11 should . Water Levels on River be split up into smaller groups . Tides on the sea (HW, LW, Times) . Weather forecast . Temperature . Rainfall on River . Wind direction on the sea (On shore, off shore, strength) . Number of people . Equipment & Food required . Groups bigger than 15 should be split up into smaller groups

BC RSR Notes - 03/12/2014 Irish Canoe Union RSR Trainer Notes 9 Threat Matrix . Awareness of Threat Matrix . Conscious use of Threat Matrix . Subconscious use of Threat . Awareness of the risks of flood . Understanding of why flooded Matrix by developing full waters on rivers and wind on open rivers increase risk awareness of water conditions. water. . Understanding of the dangers of wind on open water.

Likelihood / probability . Develop awareness of likelihood . Breakdown rapids into sections . Develop awareness of of hazard being a danger to increase accuracy of perceived likelihood vs actual . Telling yourself the story of the perceived likelihood. likelihood day and how it will feel . Awareness of the impact of . Awareness that perceived retrospectively before the day floods on likelihood of danger likelihood is influenced by begins . Awareness of the effects peer experiences to date pressure, ego and adrenaline . Tactics to overcome effects of on perceived likelihood peer pressure, ego and . Awareness of the effect of prior adrenaline on perceived experiences on perceived likelihood likelihood . Understanding and overcoming the effect of prior experiences on perceived likelihood Impact / Consequences . Develop awareness of the . Breakdown rapids into sections . Develop awareness of consequences of the dangers to increase accuracy of perceived vs actual posed by a hazard perceived consequences. consequences of dangers . Avoid hazards with serious posed by a hazard consequences if there is a . Develop ability to fully explore likelihood of it being a danger consequences and likelihood of . Awareness of the impact of each. floods on consequences . Be aware of limits of rescue

BC RSR Notes - 03/12/2014 Irish Canoe Union RSR Trainer Notes 10 setups on hazards with serious consequences Decision making in . Safest lowest risk, lowest . Safest and fastest first . Safest and fastest, preparation complexity first: Talk, Reach, . Safe, Simple & Fast is always and pre planning to reduce Rescues Throw, Row, Go, Helo best options which increases response speed. . Tell yourself the story

1.06 Safety Zones and Leadership

The environment a group paddles in can be broken down into three Safety Zones: . The Comfort Zone; paddlers are relaxed, this zone has a high level of safety. There is little challenge to the paddlers in this zone. This zone would map to the bottom left corner, low threat, of our threat matrix. This zone can be made more challenging with good use of drills, tasks and games. Probability of swim causing injury is very low in this zone. . The Adventure Zone; paddlers are challenged within the limits of their capabilities. The adventure zone is an active learning zone where the paddlers are developing their skills. This zone would map to the middle of our threat matrix, medium threat, and hence groups should have a high level of safety awareness. Following the CLAP safety principles will help to carry out activities safely in this zone. Probability of a swim causing injury is low in this zone. . The Danger zone (Anxiety Zone); paddlers are challenged beyond the limits of their capabilities. This zone is located in the top right corner of our threat matrix, high threat, paddlers safety becomes a primary concern. Probability of a swim or injury is highest in this zone. The CLAP safety principle should be followed and hazards avoided rather than protected. This can sometimes include abandoning the activity and to safety.

RSR 1 RSR 2 RSR 3 Safety . Participants should . Participants should venture into . Participants should endeavour to push the endeavour to stay in their adventure zone but avoid situations boundaries of their adventure zone and take on Zones comfort zone. If outside that may put them in their danger challenges with a safe mindset. comfort zone should be lead zone. by instructor. Leadership . Laissez Faire: Free Reign, . Democratic; The group make . Autocratic; A minority of people make the the group decide for decisions as a whole, influenced by decisions for the group. Usually occurs when the on the River themselves independently of each other. Usually occurs when group are pushing the limits of the adventure each other. Usually occurs group are in their adventure zone. This zone into the danger zone. The participant’s when group are in their will allow participants to develop an safety is the groups primary concern and hence a comfort zone. understanding of leadership decisions. minority of most experienced people make most . Helps paddlers to develop of the decisions independence. . Groups should endeavour to educate and involve

BC RSR Notes - 03/12/2014 Irish Canoe Union RSR Trainer Notes 11 everyone in the decision making process by promoting a democratic experience where possible while encouraging independence and active group membership. Leadership . Depends on severity of Rescue or injury and available time . Minor Rescue or injury where time is not an issue – Laissez Faire: the group decide for themselves independently of each other. in Rescues . Moderate rescue or injury where time is limited – Democratic: The group make decisions as a whole, influenced by each other. . Major rescue or injury where time is critical – Autocratic: A minority of experienced people make the decisions for the group.

1.07 Safe River Running Methods

RSR 1 RSR 2 RSR 3 All . To be used when people are in their . Beware never to loose line of sight with comfort zone, this is a laissez faire river the person behind you, or the future together running style. environment. . Everyone paddles together in no particular order . Use DICE as hand rail for primary communication . Define area you will be paddling in . Identify any hazards to avoid . Communication system set up . Emergency plan, what’s the plan if someone falls in Follow . Everyone paddles together with one person at the front the . To be used when people are on the limit leader of their comfort zone, pushing into their adventure zone, this is a laissez faire river running style. . Beware never to loose line of sight with the person behind you, or the future environment. Eddy . Like follow the leader but the leader . Develop an awareness of the catches eddies. Everyone following disadvantages of this system: Everyone

BC RSR Notes - 03/12/2014 Irish Canoe Union RSR Trainer Notes 12 Hopping catches the same eddies with a minimum moves at the same time. No guarantee number of people in any eddy at any that the last person has line of sight. time. . Progress is slow . To be used when people are in their adventure zone, this is a democratic river running style . Beware never to loose line of sight with the person behind you, or the future environment Leap . One person in the group catches an . Be aware of advantages of this system: eddy, the next person paddles through only one person moves at a time, but Frog and catches the next eddy, the following there is always someone moving. person paddles through again and . Ensures that everyone is always catches the next eddy down, this watching the person behind them, hence continues until the first person to catch an line of sight in group is maintained. eddy is a the back of the group. This . Should be fast and efficient. There person then leaves their eddy paddles should always be at least one person through the whole group until they are at moving as long as line of sight both in the the front again and catches the next group and the future environment is eddy. maintained. . To be used when people are in their adventure zone, this is a democratic river running style. Herd & . Everyone stops and groups together in a . Everyone stops and groups together in a safe place, usually an eddy. Rescue is safe place, usually an eddy. Rescue is Drive set up. Group are called down one at a set up. Group are called down one at a time. time. . Used when people are pushing the limits . Used when people are pushing the limits of their adventure zone into their danger of their adventure zone into their danger zone. This is an autocratic river running zone. This is an autocratic river running style style . Note this behaviour it is an indicator that . Use DICE as hand rail for primary things are getting hard for the group and communication at singularities to be careful not to push into the danger . Define the line people should paddle zone. . Identify any hazards to avoid in the . Ideally this situation should be avoided at rapid this standard unless under the . Communication system set up supervision of a suitably qualified . Emergency plan, what’s the plan if

BC RSR Notes - 03/12/2014 Irish Canoe Union RSR Trainer Notes 13 instructor. someone swims

BC RSR Notes - 03/12/2014 Irish Canoe Union RSR Trainer Notes 14

1.08 Prioritising Rescue - Safe order of priority – STIG

RSR 1 RSR 2 RSR 3 Self . Ensure you remain safe, if you get into . Ensure your own safety, could what went . What is the safest & quickest way to trouble you cannot help anyone else. wrong happen to you too? carry out the rescue? Team . Make sure the rest of the team or group . Ensure team is safe, i.e. team is in their . Use & manage the team to help in the are safe. comfort zone; in an environment that is rescue, while ensuring their safety. . If the team or group get into trouble the unlikely to get them into difficulty or . The Team should not be at risk of situation is worsening, there are now cause them injury, even in the event of a injuring themselves. several people to rescue. capsize. . The team should work as a unit to . All members of the team should maintain line of sight with each other and endeavour to maintain line of sight or the individual. regain line of sight if it is lost to ensure . Line of sight with gear should be everyone’s safety is known. maintained if possible. . It is no use being safe if no one knows . Line of sight with the future environment your safe. must be maintained to ensure self and . Team members must stay well within team safety. Nothing should be run blind their comfort zone during rescues. to carry out a rescue., i.e. where it is not possible to see or infer the potential hazards. Individual . As quickly as possible ensuring your . In a rescue you can talk to the individual . As our safety awareness and rescue own and the teams safety, rescue the and the team simultaneously to ensure skills increase, in certain circumstances individual in trouble. both are getting to safety, these are non the STIG principle can be carried out contact rescues. simultaneously by efficient non contact . Be wary of committing to a contact rescues with the individual and team rescue if the team safety isn’t in place. while beginning the gear rescue and maintaining self safety. . What is important is that line of sight is maintained with the team and the individual through out, if line of sight is going to be lost the gear should be abandoned to maintain the line of sight with the team and individual. . If a choice of line of sight occurs between the individual and the team, the rescuers should endeavour to get a

BC RSR Notes - 03/12/2014 Irish Canoe Union RSR Trainer Notes 15 thumbs up or we are ok signal from the team before maintaining line of sight with the individual. . If line of sight to the team is lost at least two rescuers must commit to the rescue chase. Gear . Finally get to the gear as quick as you . Go for paddle then boat. Or at least . Develop an awareness that loosing or can. ensure you maintain line of sight with the delaying the retrieval of gear can have a . The gear should only be recovered once paddle if you are going for the boat first. hazardous impact on the group. This everyone else's safety is ensured . Paddles are quicker to sort out and are can lead to dangerous situations long . Go for paddle then boat. easier to loose than boats. walk outs, night fall, hypothermia, . You can ask the individual to take the . If gear must be chased down the river, at hyperthermia. paddle if possible least two rescuers, preferably three, . If you rescue gear while the individual is should commit to the chase and maintain to safety, ensure you maintain line of sight with each other. line of sight with the individual until they are safe. If line of sight is going to be lost abandon the gear and go to the individual.

1.09 Self Rescue

RSR 1 RSR 2 RSR 3 Offensive . Swimming to the bank with the paddle. . Offensive swimming in grade II water - . Shallow water dive . Swimming to the bank towing the boat Front crawl to the bank . Offensive swimming in grade III water Swimming and paddle. . Eddy line roll . Surfing waves . Offensive swimming with the paddle . Getting out of stoppers (forward paddling) . Offensive swimming with boat and paddle . Offensive swimming through strainers or trees Defensive . Receiving a throw bag make star shape, . Defensive swimming in grade II water - . Defensive swimming in grade III water hold like a safety belt over opposite Back crawl to avoid hazards. . Catching a rope in grade III water Swimming shoulder to side thrown from. . Raising head to maintain line of sight, lowering head to protect coccyx. . Keeping body limp by keeping head

BC RSR Notes - 03/12/2014 Irish Canoe Union RSR Trainer Notes 16 back, feet on the surface and knees bent, this avoids injury and helps to absorb shocks. . Defensive swimming with the paddle (reverse paddling) . Catching a throw rope, make star shape, hold like a safety belt over opposite shoulder to side thrown from. . Catching a throw rope with paddle, paddle extension to make larger target, holding paddle and rope together on opposite shoulder to side thrown from.

1.10 Systematic approach to a rescue

RSR 1 RSR 2 RSR 3 Talk . Attracting attention – shout and signal. . Encouragement & Direction . Command words – swim, go, up etc. Reach . Arms reach, anchored by another group member. . Extended reach with paddle. Throw . How to throw the rope, underarm 10 . How to throw; underarm 15m, overarm . How to throw; underarm 20m, overarm metre throw 10m, sidearm 10m and recoil 10m 15m, sidearm 15m and recoil 15m. Rope . Position, Footwork, Call, Eye Contact, . Position, Footwork, Call, Eye Contact, . Using split rope for rescue set ups Rescues Throw, Hand Work, Brace Throw, Hand Work, Brace . Controlling line tension to keep swimmer . Using the sling for short rescues on surface . Using vector pulls when throwing a bag . Attaching a paddle to a throw bag for submerged casualty rescues . Foot Entrapments . Foot Entrapments . Stabilisation lines . Progression of stabilisation line . Pendulums . One rope cinche . Two rope cinche Row . X-rescue using curl . Revise deep water rescues. . Chase boating on grade III, at least two . Unconscious casualty rescue . Chase boating on grade II, at least two rescuers

BC RSR Notes - 03/12/2014 Irish Canoe Union RSR Trainer Notes 17 In boat . Tows: Face to face tow rescuers . Barging – straight barge, flip and push rescues . Carries: bow and stern. . Barging – straight barge, flip and push . Towing an unconscious swimmer . Tows - Short tow and extended tow in flat water using integrated harness or sling and crab. . Carries – Stern carry in offensive swimming situations Go . Unconscious casualty – swimming to . Shallow water crossings, definition less . V lower, how, when and where to use and up righting an overturned – than waist deep. when and where to . Communication during V lower Rescuer in flat water with no flow only! use; depth vs speed. Downstream . Tension diagonal. the water . Highlight importance of line of sight, hazards . Dynamic Live Bait Rescues awareness of downstream hazards and . Single crossing with paddle support . Live Bait Rescues for submerged awareness of exit strategy following . Wedge crossing, with casualty casualty (holes & siphons) rescue. . In- Line crossing . Live bait rescues for surface rescues, how, when and where to use Hello . Getting help - passers by, other water . Preparing for evacuation. . Evacuations: Packaging casualty; users. . Keeping the casualty warm. keeping casualty warm, making a Outside help . Contacting emergency services, when . What to do with the gear? Raise high stretcher, carrying casualty out, coping to make the decision to call 112. What above water level, tie off and leave with with steep terrain to say to the operator. contact number & details. . Awareness of Access

1.11 Progression of Extraction

RSR 1 RSR 2 RSR 3 Knots . Over hand on a bight . Double Fisherman’s knot (for making . Overhand on a double rope prusiks) . Tape Knot . Prusik knot, Klemheist ,French Prusik . Figure of 8 on bight . Clove Hitch . Rethread figure of 8 . Italian hitch . No Knot Clipping In . Reach with hand . Branch hook, made with duct tape. Paddle can also be used if no suitable

BC RSR Notes - 03/12/2014 Irish Canoe Union RSR Trainer Notes 18 branch can be found Effective . Pulling in direction of arrival to pin . Clipping in to the cockpit and rolling . Pulling with more than one person the boat Pulling . Changing angles & directions Anchors . Setting up a simple anchor with a . Setting up a self adjusting single sling, karabiner and a clove hitch and anchor with a closed and open sling. Italian hitch. Show how to lock off . Position of knot (or stitching) of sling Italian hitch. should be against tree. . Knot (or stitching) of sling should be . Using more than one anchor; figure of against tree 8 on a sling . Setting up an Anchor with a no knot Vector Pull . Use Italian hitch or simple no knot as an adjustable anchor. . Use a vector pull to gain mechanical advantage 2:1. Be aware of reduction of advantage as angle to vector narrows (advantage lost if angle smaller than 120o), hence anchor must be adjusted. Z –Drag . Set up Z-drag using prusik and prusik knot, with locking off prusik system. Pig Rig . Set up pig rig using sling and klemheist knot, with Italian hitch at primary anchor to lock off Vertical Pin . Review stabilisation lines . Using 1 rope and 2 rope cinches Abandonment . What to do if you can’t get the gear out; tie off with rag or other indicators hanging off rope. Leave written message.

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1.12 Access & Egress

RSR 1 RSR 2 RSR 3 Gear . Carrying Gear on sloped terrain . Setting up a non return anchor system . Hauling boats up steep terrain for hauling boats using prussic . How to best avoid dropping boats & gear People . Setting up a belay with an anchor and . Setting up an abseil with an improvised an Italian hitch attached to chest chest and waist harness made from harness webbing with a screw gate slings and an Italian hitch. crab. (Jacksons style rescue). Must be . Setting up protection on a climb out quick releasable at the harness and at . Hauling people out of gorges (healthy the anchor and injured)

BC RSR Notes - 03/12/2014