There's a video being shown on the local Seattle King(5)-Kong(6)-NWCN(2) TV of a kayaker and her kayak wrapped / pinned on the Payette. A couple of kayakers try to bump her kayak off with their kayaks but without success. Rafters try to paddle up to get to her but the currents were too strong. Finally, a rescuer in an inflatable kayak got close enough to jump on the rock and dislodge her. She's one very lucky person.

My heart was thumping when I saw the video because I knew what she was going through. I witnessed something very similar on the Sauk and I had a somewhat similar experience with a submerged log.   It's scary as hell because it can happen so quickly. When your kayak gets wrapped, you can't hesitate and think you can "rock" it loose. You've got to pull your sprayskirt and get the hell out before it's too late.   Oftentimes we don't want to "swim" so we stay too long with the kayak. Soon the pressure of the water on the kayak prevents you from bailing out.   



Edited by Ronin - 27 Nov 2006 at 10:18pm

On the king 5 website go to northwest news and go to Idaho news. No video of it on the website but the article explains things.

Not a place I would want to be...especially in super cold water!

Wow, scary stuff. Pinned for an hour. What a trooper!

Here's a link to an article with a bit more detail. On the right side, there's a link for the video.

http://www.idahostatesman.com/235/story/61800.html

Also a good reminder always to lean into the rock if you are going to pin... If she had been pinned facing upstream I doubt she would have had her head above water.

Actually, I think she had her kayak pin kit with her.    I suspect she needed to have a kayak un-pin kit.    (yes, I know, bad attempt at a bit of humor in a very serious situation)

Now then, as a new boater, I had never heard of a pin kit or un-pin kit until tradguy posted his message.  When I first found the PP forums, I noticed there was a discussion of a swiftwater rescue class last year.  I don't know whether this happened but I'd be very interested in understanding any recommendations for such a class in the Seattle area.  I suspect there are other new boaters that would be interested as well.

I'd be up for practicing some safety.  It's been about 6 years since my last swift water rescue class where I was training to be an swift water rescue instructor but ended up being the injured getting back boarded out instead.  I know I need major brushing up on my z-drag skills.  The last time I used one was 8 or 9 years ago.  Another time I actually got my truck unstuck with one.  Lucky the rope didn't break on me.   

Tom,
I am definitely up for safety practice anytime.  I'm also happy to help out with logistics if necessary.

Now then, I'd still be interested in hearing suggestions on any "professional" classes in the Seattle area.  I don't mean classes for professionals but rather taught by professionals   Not that I'm implying, Tom, that you aren't professional but rather, as a newbie, it would be good to go through a class. 

This summer, on a river trip, someone had recommended Julie Munger @ Sierra Rescue and I can now see on their website that they have a 3 day class on the Cedar River in early March (ACA-SWR).   I'm not sure if this is overkill for my needs.  I suppose you can never learn too much - on the other hand don't want to get overloaded either. 

Anybody have any experience with this group or others??
arn