#26372 - 03/30/04 11:15 AM
Re: Kayakers saved by a whistle
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Old Hand
Registered: 01/07/04
Posts: 723
Loc: Pttsbg SWestern Pa USA N-Amer....
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Here in Western PA, We've just had a Kayaker Rescued from some Quite Swift Current, on one of the Main Tributaries of our Allegheny River. (Essentially the Upper Portion of the Mighty Ohio.) A Convenient Midstream Tree Branch, was his *Only* Salvation! (The Tree being some Entangled Debris)
BTW, When our Rivers Run Swift from Rainy Spells and Floods!, -I've More than Once Seen Whole Trees, Swiftly Flowing Down Midstream, -One After the Other! [color:"black"] [/color] [email]stargazer[/email]
_________________________
"No Substitute for Victory!"and"You Can't be a Beacon if your Light Don't Shine!"-Gen. Douglass MacArthur and Donna Fargo.
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#26374 - 03/30/04 10:14 PM
Re: Kayakers saved by a whistle
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Years ago, not sure but likely 25, there were two young men tubing on the Susquehanna River in the Binghamton, NY area. They went over Rock Bottom dam and got stuck in the eddys(?). They remained in their tubes and were for the most part unhurt, just trapped about 100 feet from shore. The local fire department sent out a 12 foot boat with two firemen in it to "rescue" the kids; they wore lifejackets but they were not tied on. Result, two firemen drowned when the boat capsized. The kids were pulled to safety while the river was dragged. The local FD was distraught at the idea of the FD lifevests trapped in the eddys(?) at the base of the damn, a visual reminder of their lost friends. They sent the same boat out to pick them up. Again, the same boat capsized and another fireman drowned. (Not 100% sure, but I think there was a total of 3 firemen lost in this rescue attempt, the kids were pulled to safety).
Nothing beats good training, good equipment and common sense.
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#26375 - 03/30/04 10:29 PM
Re: Kayakers saved by a whistle
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enthusiast
Registered: 02/21/03
Posts: 258
Loc: Scotland
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Were they trapped upside down, and somehow got into the airspace in their canoes? I ask because when I was young and foolish I used to go sea kayaking. Part of the fun was "surfing" in to caves, but "breaking out" well before the cave wall. It was a well known fact that if you miss-timed it, and got caught in the standing wave against the cave wall, you were as good as dead. You are trapped by the incomming waves, as well as being dashed against the wall. Your rescuers are helpless for the same reasons - they to will fall into the wave, capsize and drown, the force of the wave holding them under. Strange story - lucky boys - rather foolish rescue attempt. (all due respect, but if it was similar circumstances they should have known better)
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#26376 - 03/30/04 10:55 PM
Re: Kayakers saved by a whistle
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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They were actually in large inner tubes from a truck or other sort of vehicle. Sat calmly while the firemen tried to rescue them. I think the boat was the last resort, but proved to be a fatal choice.
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#26377 - 03/31/04 12:00 AM
Re: Kayakers saved by a whistle
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Old Hand
Registered: 01/07/04
Posts: 723
Loc: Pttsbg SWestern Pa USA N-Amer....
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Very True! I've recently Read about this in a Book. Underwater and Invisible Branches, Submerged Metal Cage Bars, Etc.! [color:"black"] [/color] [email]paramedicpete[/email]
_________________________
"No Substitute for Victory!"and"You Can't be a Beacon if your Light Don't Shine!"-Gen. Douglass MacArthur and Donna Fargo.
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#26379 - 03/31/04 05:15 PM
Re: Kayakers saved by a whistle
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Interesting, a science unto itself. Thanks.
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