River Safety Course

What: Essentials of River Safety and Rescue  (This is an ACA backed course)

When: June 16th

Time: 9 to 5 (7-9 hour course)

Where:  Brandywine River Museum in Chadds Ford on the Brandywine Creek

Maximum # of people: 12 – minimum # of people: 5

Course overview:  Essential River Safety and Rescue workshop teaches recognition and avoidance of common river hazards, execution of self-rescue techniques, and simple rescues of paddlers in distress. Emphasis is placed both on personal safety and on simple, commonly used skills. Fundamental techniques for dealing with hazards that carry greater risks for both victim and rescuer, such as entrapments, and pins, also are taught. This course is aimed primarily at new boaters, or boaters who anticipate paddling in moving water but not whitewater.

Course Objectives:

• Promote proactive prevention of river accidents and injuries.
• Develop and practice key self-rescue skills.
• Identify and avoid river hazards by understanding hydrology, hazards, and river features.
• Focus on fast, low-risk strategies for early management of river accidents
• Practice methods for recovering swimmers, and loose boats and equipment

Course Prerequisites: All paddle craft are welcome. Boaters should be able to competently maneuver their craft in moving water. However, all boaters, and non-boaters with an interest in swiftwater rescue (e.g., professional rescuers), will benefit from the class. Participants should be in good health and overall fitness, possess solid swimming ability, and be comfortable swimming in moving current during river drills. Participants should dress appropriately for weather and temperature and expect to be in the water for extended periods of time.

Minimum personal equipment for class:  PFD designed for whitewater use, whitewater helmet, protective clothing suitable for extended swimming in cold water, protective footwear, boat, paddle, whistle and throw rope.  If you don’t have a white water helmet you may be able to rent one from the club.

Cost of the Class is $20 per person

How: Sign up by paying for the class through the pay pal system the club set up and reserve your spot now.  Please contact me here on this thread.

Course topics:

Rescue Philosophy

Scene Management

Medical Issues

Equipment

Throw Ropes

Water Hazards and Hydrology

Swimming

Strainers

Wading

Boat-based rescue

Pins

Entrapment

Scenarios

General Information:
Recreational: this is mostly a smooth water run with easy rifles in between. Very popular with inner tubers on weekend during the summer months. Week day trips are preferred if you want the river to yourself.

Difficulty & Must Haves:
Minimum water level of 2 feet at Chadd’s Ford is recommended for this run, unless you have a taste for knuckle walking.
This trip is fine after basic training. Rec boats from 9-14 feet work best on the river.

Nice to Have & Human Interest:
Minimum water level of 2 feet at Chadd’s Ford is recommended for this run, unless you have a taste for knuckle walking.
This trip is fine after basic training. Rec boats from 9-14 feet work best on the river.

Additional Notes & Shuttle Info:
Shuttle: 39°50’03.8″N 75°34’32.3″W https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=zjduWflhNnK4.kPZxZM_yhuQE
Brandywine river museum has a parking fee during summer months during museum hours. Take-out is just below smith’s bridge at the First State National Monument park. This is a popular spot and parking can get scares during summer months so an early start is recommended. Thompson’s Bridge at Brandywine state park is an alternate take-out if you have a park pass, though not recommended if the water level is low.