Whitewater Safety Film Room
Episodes 1 — 12
Getting Started
Learn what gear you need to have with you, from your rescue PFD, protective apparel, throw bags, rescue hardware to first aid kit and communication devices.
Ep. 1:
Team Strategy
Smart teamwork and preparedness make everyone safer on the river with the swiftwater rescue playbook.
Ep. 2:
Swiftwater Swimming
Swimming efficiently in whitewater is essential for self-rescue, rescuing others and building your kayaking, rafting and canoeing confidence.
Ep. 3:
Throw Bag Techniques
This video covers throw bag techniques including throwing, safely bringing in the swimmer, bracing, and how to catch and hold the rope if you're the swimmer.
Ep. 4:
Victim Contact Techniques
This video covers victim contact techniques for safely paddling, swimming and wading out to the victim.
Ep. 5:
The Rescue Harness
This video shows you how to safely and effectively use the quick-release rescue harness on your life jacket.
Ep. 6:
Live Bait Rescue
This video shows several different live bait techniques and describes the best ways to do them safely.
Ep. 7:
Boat Extractions
This video demonstrates how to retrieve a pinned kayak or canoe using methods ranging from pushing and pulling to setting up a mechanical advantage system.
Ep. 8:
Self Rescue
Whitewater kayakers and canoeists should learn the basic techniques for self rescue. Watch how to swim to safety and avoid dangerous foot entrapment.
Ep. 9:
Foot Entrapment Intro
Swiftwater rescue instructor Jim Coffey introduces techniques for assessing foot entrapment situations and formulating a plan to assist the victim.
Ep. 10:
Foot Entrapment Strategies
Foot entrapment strategies for making the rescue. It's important to move quickly, but first we must answer two questions: Do we have the skill level to perform the rescue, and is the rescue within an acceptable level of risk for the rescue team? Whether the victim has an airway or is face down in the water is also a vital part of the assessment and intensity of the rescue tempo.
Ep. 11:
Putting Rescue Skills to Use on the Water
Wrapping up this excellent series, swiftwater rescue expert Jim Coffey shows how the skills covered in the previous videos can be put to use on a typical day on the river with a mixed group of kayakers. One of the less skilled paddlers has to swim, and both he and his boat need to be rescued.
Ep. 12:
How To Videos
Toss a
Throw Bag
The rescue throw bag is a must-carry for whitewater. Rescue instructor Jim Coffey shows the best techniques for accurately getting the rope to the swimmer.
How To
Catch a
Throw Bag
Rescue instructor Jim Coffey shows how to catch and position a throw rope to place minimum strain on you and the on-shore rescuer.
How To
Make a
Shallow Water Crossing
Rescue Instructor Jim Coffey describes techniques that an individual or a group of rescuers can use to safely and efficiently perform a shallow water crossing.
How To
Swim in
Whitewater
Self rescue by aggressively swimming to shore can be a life-saving maneuver. Rescue instructor Jim Coffey teaches you how to swim in whitewater.
How To