NOLS River Rescue Guide

by Nate Ostis

Overview

A how-to guide of safety, rescue, and recovery techniques for all who work and play on the water.

2015 National Outdoor Book Award Winner

Practical advice for identifying and responding to risks on the water

Covers all the essential equipment you'll need

Over 150 helpful photos and illustrations

Tips for trip-planning

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780811713733
Publisher:	Stackpole Books
Publication date:	07/15/2015
Series:	NOLS Library
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 8.20(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Nate 'stis is a member of the senior field staff for NOLS and a Swiftwater Rescue Technician instructor. A lifelong educator, he was a lecturer for the outdoor recreation department at Plymouth State University, and he has taught at an international whitewater kayaking academy. He is the author of NOLS River Rescue (978-0-8117-3352-6) and NOLS River Rescue Guide (978-0-8117-1373-3), winner of the 2015 National Outdoor Book Award for Best Instructional.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments viii

Introduction ix

Part 1 Risk Management in an Active Avalanche 1

Chapter 1 Safety versus Risk Management 1

Chapter 2 Creating a Culture of Risk Management in the River Environment 9

Chapter 3 Principles of River Rescue 31

Chapter 4 Effective Communication 54

Chapter 5 Appropriate River Equipment 63

Chapter 6 The Anatomy of a River 91

Part 2 Rescue Techniques 119

Chapter 7 Wilderness Medicine and Remote Rescue Training 119

Chapter 8 Whitewater Swimming 125

Chapter 9 Wading and Shallow Water Crossings 140

Chapter 10 Throw Bag Skills 150

Chapter 11 Rescue Swimming 162

Chapter 12 Tying Knots Like a Pro 174

Chapter 13 Boat-Based Rescues and Recoveries 179

Chapter 14 Entrapment Rescues and Recoveries 190

Part 3 Recovery Techniques 207

Chapter 15 Pinned Boats and Extrications 207

Chapter 16 Anchor Systems 213

Chapter 17 Mechanical Advantage Systems 220

Chapter 18 Special Considerations 229

Part 4 Ongoing Training and Inspired Growth 241

Chapter 19 Leadership on the River 241

Chapter 20 Proficiency Accountability Logs 247

Chapter 21 Transfer of Skills 253

Index 257

Editorial Reviews

"...[P]ractical advice for identifying and responding to risks on the water; information on essential equipment and safety skills; and more than 230 helpful photos and illustrations to get the message across. It also captures and quantifies the essence of advanced critical thinking for the rescuer in river rescue incidents, with state of the art coverage of new river rescue techniques. It places an emphasis on prevention as a critical leadership skill and underpins the basis of rescue team success....[A] veritable bible of boating safety."

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