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FEATURE STORY

Nelson SAR improves its marine response capabilities with trained swiftwater rescue team

by Monica Spencer

Photos courtesy of Monica Spencer, Nelson SAR

"Can you swim?" That's the question Nelson Search and Rescue's (NSAR) Chris Armstrong asked all the members last year, every chance he got. And that is how NSAR's river rescue team got its start: by compiling a list of local SAR paddlers and anyone else who could be convinced to get into a raft and be converted into a whitewater enthusiast. Armstrong was on a mission.

In many areas of B.C., SAR groups lack highly trained swiftwater personnel. Most are lucky to have the odd collection of paddlers who will take a lead role if a swiftwater incident occurs. Many groups provide Swiftwater Rescue Technician (SRT) training to one or two members; and this training gives them the skills to respond to a moving water call. However, unless they are active paddlers and have a strong background and experience base, or unless they have the opportunity to spend time practicing, they are usually not skilled enough to do much more than attempt a shore based rescue in low class water (see Swiftwater Classification).

Al MacDonald, Aaron Armstrong, Al Craft, Al Krause and Chris Armstrong participate in a mock recovery practice involving a flooded creek at Cottonwood Falls in Nelson, Alberta. Chris demonstrates how the use of a stick or a paddle (note the paddle in his left hand) to push down can steady you in current that would otherwise sweep you off your feet. The safety rope is attached to a breakaway system on Chris's PFD so that he can detach himself from it at any time if necessary (a rope can sometimes hold you under the water in current and drown you if your shore crew is unable to move you to shore or into an eddy).

In recent years, NSAR has responded to a couple of whitewater calls that involved recoveries in class 5+ water. The latest rescue lasted several days and put numerous rescuers at risk, due to the highly technical terrain in and around the river. Because of this, the membership recognized it needed to put together a skilled swiftwater team. Armstrong had been involved in commercial raft guiding and swiftwater work since 1994 and he wanted to do much more than just get together to toss throw bags on a practice night. In addition to SRT training, he wanted NSAR's new rescue team to gain river skills in rafts and other rescue platforms at the equivalent of a commercial guide. A team with those skill sets can actively search with a high probability of detection while running higher class rivers, as well as perform water and shore based rescues in difficult terrain.

And so it all came together. Last year, the river rescue team ran eight different rivers, putting in 43 full days of intensive training and participating in two multi-day expeditions. This spring, they started the training year with nine certified swiftwater rescue technicians who are able to operate boats in higher-class rivers. The team is now operating consistently at an advanced level. The team is bringing on a few new members, including people from other SAR groups in the area, and has trips planned on several local rivers and a 224 km, 12-day expedition on Alaska's Tatshenshini River.

In addition to the members' own personal rafts and kayaks, NSAR and its partners in the Beasley Rescue Society have a river raft; two catarafts; an inflatable zodiac; top of the line river rescue equipment including a line gun; a rope rescue kit for high lines, crossings and boat lowers; river boards; several sets of fins and several sets of the best personal protective equipment (rescue-style personal flotation devices) on the market.

Armstrong, now working as an SRT instructor for Rescue Canada, and the NSAR team, plan to increase their level of training to that of Specialist. Currently members are able to respond with a least six members and the equipment required to conduct just about any type of river work needed in their region or even beyond if need be.

Anyone working on a swiftwater team who would like information on equipment or training ideas is welcome to contact Chris Armstrong at rescue14@shaw.ca.

Monica Spencer is a volunteer firefighter and medical first responder instructor with Beasley Fire Rescue and a member of Nelson Search and Rescue.

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