John F Miller
Georgia Canoe Assn FB Page
Near DROWNING on the Cartecay River, North Georgia,
Class II Thursday July 30th.
I am posting this with permission of the two paddlers involved. I am not attempting to tell the whole story, just the highlights that might save a life. The complete story is for them to tell when they are ready.
The two paddlers are not beginners; they have both paddled this river numerous times as well as the Nantahala, Hiwassee, Upper Hooch, Tuckaseegee as well as others. They have taken numerous classes and work shops with different commercial companies and clubs.
This post is for education and constructive discussion only. No sarcasm or smart-ass remarks are wanted and they will be deleted.
I will refer to the victim as Paddler A and the partner as Paddler B.
Paddler A was in a new boat with a new skirt and had only paddled that particular boat on a lake. This was the first river trip in it.
This incident happened above Blackberry Falls but I am not sure of the exact location/rapid.
Neither water level nor weather were factors.
As the duo was paddling down the river and enjoying the day, paddler A flipped and missed their roll, (New boat?) B saw A let go of the paddle to do a wet exit. B went after the paddle expecting A to pop up as they had done on numerous other trips. When B looked back A was still upside down, no wet exit. B immediately forgot the paddle and headed for the upside-down boat and attempted a T rescue. A got a hand on the bow but could not pull up. B grabbed A’s hand and attempted to pull them up. A went completely limp. B attempted a hand of god but could not make it work.
At this point B jumped out of their boat, (water was over their head), and managed to get A to the bank still in the boat. I will add that B has over 30 years of medical experience. B said by the time A was on the bank there was no pulse, no breath. B immediately started CPR and continued until A threw up and started shallow breathing. With A sort of stable B ran to a house and asked the owner to call 911 then B returned to A to monitor until rescue arrived. A solo paddler saw what was happening and stopped to help. Rescue arrived; A was life flighted to a hospital where they spent two days recovering.
A is home, full recovery and intends to move up and paddle the Ocoee in 2027.
Lessons: Why could A not do a wet exit? When the spray skirt was put on, the GRAB LOOP was tucked under, not exposed. A attempted to pull the skirt from the side and also tried to push it off with their knees. New skirt, too tight, could not get it off.
Tucked grab loop is a very easy thing to overlook, I have done it before and I am sure many of you have to so no comments are needed about that. Just get in the habit of not only checking your skirt, but your partners skirts before launching. Buddy checking is not a bad thing. Everyone who has ever jumped from a plane gets in the habit of numerous checks. It is easy to get complacent doing a thing over and over.
Another thing that B pointed out to me. B should not have gone after the paddle until they were sure A was safe. So again, no comments needed about that. Just remember, PEOPLE FIRST then equipment.
There is a lot of discussion about solo paddling or the ideal group size and that is for you to decide. However, in our classes we talk about the ideal group being 3 or more. That way if there is a victim, one person can deal with the victim while the other goes for help. Again, this is for learning only, in 20 yrs of paddling I have done solo trips as well as paddling with just one other person.
This incident points out why it is CRITICAL that everyone who paddles stays current on CPR. And once started, CPR continues until first responders take over.
If A had been paddling alone last week they would be dead.
If B has not stayed calm and known CPR A would be dead.
They were fortunate that this happened in someone’s backyard so a call for help could be made.
Remember, it does not take big water to be dangerous.
And from the bottom of my heart, GOD BLESS OUR FIRST RESPONDERS!!