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Traverse Area Paddle Club

Remember: all TAPC outings are listed on our event calendar and are color coded using this scheme:

 

Small Inland Lakes   

Great Lakes   

Easy Rivers 

Intermediate Rivers  

Difficult Rivers 
Clean-up Trips 

Out-of-town Trips 

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Trip Reports

June 12 - River Rescue Basics

Published on 6/12/2010
The heavy rains passed the night before so this event was well attended by 10 people, there to learn useful things.

John Heiam talked about when and how to do a river rescue.

Norm Fred gave a demonstration of 4 different knots.  the Bowline, Sheet Bend, 2 Half Hitches with a round turn and the Trucker's Hitch.  Some learned them faster than others.  Everyone got a piece of line to practice with at home.



Bowline -Copyright Wikipedia.com


Sheet Bend - Copyright Wikipedia.com


2 1/2 Hitches with a round turn - Copyright Wikipedia.com


Trucker's Hitch - Copyright Wikipedia.com

Then, on the tennis court, we practiced using throw bags, on loan from Backcountry Outfitters.  Thanks Sandy.

Next we learned how to remove water from a kayak or canoe and we threw ropes to an actual swimmer in the river.  Thanks, John.

It was a good day and I think everyone learned a few new things.  Now they can take those skills to their outings and everyone will be able to paddle more safely and be better prepared for rescue situations.

Norm Fred and John Heiam

These action photos were taken by Jocelyn Trepte