White Water Safety & Rescue Training

After leaving Skye, I went to Aberfeldy to do a bit of canoeing and river work set up by Steve Macdonald of Beyond Adventure. First up: Whitewater Safety & Rescue Training with Dougie Shannon, who also made a fantastic Safety and Rescue video- available here. 

I've taken whitewater rescue courses before, and they were heavily focused on rope rescues and advantage systems. This course focused on motivating swimmers, swimming, and assisting rescues, as well as boating safely as a group.

Day One was heavily focused on being in the water- self rescues and assisted. We talked a little about setting up advantage systems. 

Day Two we went on a journey, practiced boat and bank based rescues, and scouted as a team.

Here are a few photos- I'll put up a post later about advantage systems, and the inherent issues with putting ropes in a dynamic water environment. 

Dougie setting up a line on a midstream rock.

Lucas swimming defensively.

Lucas about to rescue Phil.

Assisted Rescues for Lucas.

Jamie with the toss.

Wading Rescues/River Crossings.

Successful Release.

Grandtully Rapids.

Two-handed safety check.

Quick Release in Current.

S

Checking Quick Release.

Boat-based Rescues.

Getting a line across the river.

Bottom Drop at Grandtully. Mind the hole!

Lucas dropping in.

Jamie successfully avoiding the hole.