This amazing video was caught on a GoPro video camera a whitewater kayaker got trapped in a strainer. Fortunately the victim was able to free himself from the entrapment and his friend was also okay! This is a great reminder why strainers are so dangerous and we always need to be prepared for the worst. Good training and swiftwater awareness are two factors that will aid in any rescue scenario. Take a look at the video and stay safe out on the water!
POV – Strainer on Lavezzola from Nate Pfeifer on Vimeo.
Some good discussion questions to think about with this video are:
• How could this have been prevented?
• What were the potential consequences of pullling the spray skirt?
• Why is this one of the most important decisions a kayaker makes?
• Is this patient stable before he pulls the skit?
• Is he still stable after the skirt is pulled?
• What should have been a red-flag before he dropped into the rapid?
• Was there any communication that his friend had just dropped in and gone under a log before he entered the rapid?
Stay safe on the river!
