I can remember the incident like it happened yesterday. Working as a trip leader on the Nolichucky River, the day began like any other. The water level was a moderate 1.5 ft. We had a large trip about 4-6 boats as it was the middle of the summer and vacationers were coming to the river in droves to be part of the best water year on the Nolichucky in over 20 years. Our trip went through the class III rapid Last Chance without incident, and did the same at the first Class IV On the Rocks. As we made our way down the river and entered the Class III hydraulic known as Jaws smiles could be seen on the faces of the rafters, as well as the guides. As I made my way through Jaws I eddied out to set safety in case anyone swam. What happened next was an incident that I believe will stick with me the rest of my life. As the next guide passed through Jaws he leaned back to pry toward river left to set himself up to run the correct line at Snappy’s, after completing the stroke he attempted to lean forward and resume his straight posture and found himself connected to the boat. The guide upon leaning back to do his pry had leaned into his non locking carabiner which was used to connect his throw rope to his D-ring. As I watched the guide helplessly flop around trying to unhook himself I quickly made my way over to assist him. When getting over there I quickly was able to assist in getting him unlocked from this situation. However the look on his face and mine was solemn for a moment in a day otherwise filled with laughter, smiles, and excitement.
Locking Carabiner
Although this situation was a minor incident and could be glanced over and forgotten in days it has stuck in my mind for the last five years. Was it the fact that the guide locked to the boat was my brother? , the terror I saw on his face when he could not free himself? , or looking at it from a “what if” standpoint? , which has left this incident so etched in my mind (I do not know). However, as an ACA swift water instructor I do retell this story to my participants when explaining why we teach that locking carabiners be used in whitewater. The facts are simple climbing standards require locking carabiners on all anchor points (unless non locking carabiners are opposite and opposing). In whitewater the idea of opposite and opposing carabiners simply will not work as we have an uncontrollable force (the whitewater) which can come in any direction.
Whitewater Instruction Course
Whitewater professionals should be setting the model for this practice and although the ACA teaches these standards in their courses I believe a better job can be done of letting whitewater enthusiasts know the dangers of having non locking carabiners or “unlocked” locking carabiners exposed to whitewater.
I can not count the number of rafting guides I have seen from various companies throughout the years decked out with non locking carabiner hanging from the shoulder straps or sides of their PFD’s, or how often I have seen guides use non locking carabiners to clip gear or a throw rope to their raft. I encourage readers of this article to educate others of the additional risk of having exposed non locking carabiners on the river. It does not just create an unnecessary hazard for the paddler with the non locking carabiners, but also those paddling with him or her.
If paddlers decide to use a non locking carabiner it should be kept in the zipper pockets of the PFD or in other places unexposed to whitewater, such as inside a sealed dry bag. .
Demonstartion on how to set up a Z Drag for releasing a pinned boat
The river already poses enough hazards for boaters let us work together to eliminate one additional hazard through education. Our efforts will help us avoid reading a story that ends the following way:
The raft turned over and as the raft continued its way down the rapid the crew began to swim to other boats and eddies. However, one paddler was not able to get out from under the boat; he and the raft floated down stream with the paddler unable to get free from the raft. Once the rest of the paddlers got to the raft minutes later the paddler was no where to be seen upon retrieving the raft the group found that the paddler’s unresponsive body was still attached to the raft by a non locking carabiner.
Kayaking Pinball Rapid on the Upper Green River
Joe Moerschbaecher is an Amercan Canoe Association swift water rescue instructor. In addition to his swift water rescue courses he also does kayaking instruction and guided paddling trips through his company Pura Vida Adventures. To find out more about the programs offered by Pura Vida Adventures call 772-579-0005 or visit www.pvadventures.com
Locking CarabinerAlthough this situation was a minor incident and could be glanced over and forgotten in days it has stuck in my mind for the last five years. Was it the fact that the guide locked to the boat was my brother? , the terror I saw on his face when he could not free himself? , or looking at it from a “what if” standpoint? , which has left this incident so etched in my mind (I do not know). However, as an ACA swift water instructor I do retell this story to my participants when explaining why we teach that locking carabiners be used in whitewater. The facts are simple climbing standards require locking carabiners on all anchor points (unless non locking carabiners are opposite and opposing). In whitewater the idea of opposite and opposing carabiners simply will not work as we have an uncontrollable force (the whitewater) which can come in any direction.
Whitewater Instruction CourseWhitewater professionals should be setting the model for this practice and although the ACA teaches these standards in their courses I believe a better job can be done of letting whitewater enthusiasts know the dangers of having non locking carabiners or “unlocked” locking carabiners exposed to whitewater.
I can not count the number of rafting guides I have seen from various companies throughout the years decked out with non locking carabiner hanging from the shoulder straps or sides of their PFD’s, or how often I have seen guides use non locking carabiners to clip gear or a throw rope to their raft. I encourage readers of this article to educate others of the additional risk of having exposed non locking carabiners on the river. It does not just create an unnecessary hazard for the paddler with the non locking carabiners, but also those paddling with him or her.
If paddlers decide to use a non locking carabiner it should be kept in the zipper pockets of the PFD or in other places unexposed to whitewater, such as inside a sealed dry bag. .
Demonstartion on how to set up a Z Drag for releasing a pinned boatThe river already poses enough hazards for boaters let us work together to eliminate one additional hazard through education. Our efforts will help us avoid reading a story that ends the following way:
The raft turned over and as the raft continued its way down the rapid the crew began to swim to other boats and eddies. However, one paddler was not able to get out from under the boat; he and the raft floated down stream with the paddler unable to get free from the raft. Once the rest of the paddlers got to the raft minutes later the paddler was no where to be seen upon retrieving the raft the group found that the paddler’s unresponsive body was still attached to the raft by a non locking carabiner.
Kayaking Pinball Rapid on the Upper Green RiverJoe Moerschbaecher is an Amercan Canoe Association swift water rescue instructor. In addition to his swift water rescue courses he also does kayaking instruction and guided paddling trips through his company Pura Vida Adventures. To find out more about the programs offered by Pura Vida Adventures call 772-579-0005 or visit www.pvadventures.com
