Whether from Sticks or stakes, branches or rebar, impalements can be a backcountry problem to contend with. In the field of wilderness medicine, there are specific protocols pertaining to impalements and how to manage them in a remote setting. These guidelines are attributed to the assessment and location of the impalement injury. Core  impalement. Impalements to the head, face, trunk and other core...

A swiftwater entry  doesn't have to be graceful, it just has to gets the job done. A good swiftwater entry can make or break your swiftwater swim. Part superman, part belly flop, it involves extending yourself into the current and can give you the jump start you need to make your target. In our swiftwater rescue courses...

If you are a governing Agency, or someone who is planning on venturing out on a river trip with your family or friends, have you asked the question: How much professional training do river guides have?  Seems like a logical question for someone who is embarking on a trip with family or friends. After all,...

The figure of eight on a bight is one of the most commonly used knots in swiftwater rescue. It is often used with throw bags for live bait,  tethered boats, and tag lines. The figure of 8 on a bight is relatively strong, secure when dressed, easy to tell when its tied properly, and easy...

Heat Wave!!! Fortunately we were in the water for much of the Kayak specific river rescue certification this weekend at Mother Lode River Center on The South Fork of the American River. Temps on saturday were upwards of 100 degrees F. But that didn't slow us down too much. I had a group of private...