© North East Rowing on-line
North East Rowing on-line
BUDDY RESCUE Technique - John Mulholland
Hexham RC carried out a capsize drill, at the end of which we
did a small experiment on a method of rescue which may be suitable for
cold water on wide expanses of water; e.g. rivers like the Tyne at Newburn
or lakes like Talkin Tarn.
No one is advised to go out on their own in single sculls, but not every
club can afford multiple safety boats. The method we tried is suitable
for two scullers using a buddy-buddy system. Rather than swimming with
your own boat for several hundred metres to a suitable bank, you mount the
stern canvas of your buddy's boat and he can pull you to safety. Even if
he can't row with your weight on the back (in rough water) your torso is
out of the water making you less vulnerable to hypothermia while awaiting
a safety boat. You lose heat about 40 times faster when immersed in the
water than you do out of the water.
The photos, taken in Hexham baths, show the method. The sculler in all
the photos is under-boated, weighing slightly more than the 75 kg capacity
of the boat. The first "casualty" weighs about 80 kgs and the second over
100 kgs. Even though the second casualty sinks the stern canvas
completely, his torso remains almost clear of the water; far better than
swimming.
If you have any comments about this please let me know.
Regards,
John Mulholland
Regional Water Safety Adviser
ARA Northern Region
Home telephone: 01434-673 256
Mobile telephone: 07762-877 997
Hexham RC carried out a capsize drill, at the end of which we
did a small experiment on a method of rescue which may be suitable for
cold water on wide expanses of water; e.g. rivers like the Tyne at Newburn
or lakes like Talkin Tarn.
No one is advised to go out on their own in single sculls, but not every
club can afford multiple safety boats. The method we tried is suitable
for two scullers using a buddy-
your own boat for several hundred metres to a suitable bank, you mount the
stern canvas of your buddy's boat and he can pull you to safety. Even if
he can't row with your weight on the back (in rough water) your torso is
out of the water making you less vulnerable to hypothermia while awaiting
a safety boat. You lose heat about 40 times faster when immersed in the
water than you do out of the water.
The photos, taken in Hexham baths, show the method. The sculler in all
the photos is under-
of the boat. The first "casualty" weighs about 80 kgs and the second over
100 kgs. Even though the second casualty sinks the stern canvas
completely, his torso remains almost clear of the water; far better than
swimming.
If you have any comments about this please let me know.
Regards,
John Mulholland
Regional Water Safety Adviser
ARA Northern Region
Home telephone: 01434-
Mobile telephone: 07762-
