Whitewater Rescue Manual: New Techniques for Canoeists, Kayakers, and Rafters [Paperback]

Charles Walbridge (Author), Wayne Sundmacher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1995

Whitewater Rescue Manual is for all whitewater padlers, beginner to expert. This book presents the best techniques for self-rescue and rescue of companions on the river.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Regardless of skill, running rivers presents an element of danger. As whitewater paddling continues to grow in popularity and more thrill-seekers push the boundaries of the sport, accidents are inevitable.

In Whitewater Rescue Manual, two paddlers who have long been at the forefront of whitewater safety and rescue present a tightly focused look at the best, most current techniques for both self-rescue and rescue of others on the river. The authors provide well-reasoned guidance that will teach you when to stay with the boat and when not to; how to retrieve a lost boat; how to swim out of trouble and when not to swim; how to reach a victim by wading, swimming, or using ropes; how to coordinate a rescue effort; how to make sure that would-be rescuers don't become victims; how to properly perform first aid and safely evacuate injured paddlers; and much more.

This well-illustrated guide is essential reading for canoeists, kayakers, and rafters of all levels--as well as river guide trainees, participants in river rescue courses, and whitewater instructors.

Praise for Whitewater Rescue Manual

"This book is the most complete, detailed, state-of-the-art compilation of whitewater rescue techniques I've seen. It achieves a commendable balance between stressing the 'how-to' of river rescue skills and the judgment needed to use them. It belongs on the bookshelf of every serious paddler."--Gordon Black, Director of Instruction, Nantahala Outdoor Center

"Whitewater paddler or rescue team member, Whitewater Rescue Manual makes a welcome addition to anyone's emergency library, reflecting the working association between the ACA, Rescue 3, and other professional river rescue courses."--Jim Segerstrom, Founder, Rescue 3 International

"Whitewater Rescue Manual looks at both the 'hard' and the 'soft' sides of river rescue, placing equal emphasis on group organization, judgment, self-rescue, and rope handling to give a balanced picture of how to avoid accidents and how to deal with them when they happen."--Bruce Lessels, Director of Zoar Outdoors

"This is as close to real-life safety and rescue techniques as you can get without getting wet. Few people know river rescue like Walbridge and Sundmacher, and they share their knowledge in an informative and entertaining way. This is the most up-to-date information available, and is destined to become a standard text for river runners."--Jeff Bennett, author, Washington Whitewater, Rafting, and The Complete Inflatable Kayaker

"Whitewater Rescue Manual takes river rescue one step further in its evolution. The authors' focus is on practical solutions to everyday whitewater mishaps. Highly recommended."--Kent Ford, producer of whitewater instruction videos

About the Author

Charles Walbridge has 27 years' experience as a whitewater paddler, guide, and instructor. He was safety chair of the American Whitewater Affiliation from 1986 to 1991 and has served the American Canoe Association in the same capacity since 1977. Wayne A. Sundmacher Sr., a professional instructor and certified emergency medical technician, has been teaching safety programs for outdoor enthusiasts and rescue agencies for more than a decade. He has served on safety teams for world-class whitewater races and co-developed the ACA Swiftwater Rescue Program with Charlie Walbridge. Charlie makes his home in Penllyn, Pennsylvania; Wayne in Mercerville, New Jersey.

Product Details

• Paperback: 198 pages
• Publisher: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press; 1 edition (July 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070677905
• ISBN-13: 978-0070677906
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #376,676 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #18 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Outdoor Recreation > Rafting
  • #23 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Outdoor Recreation > Kayaking > Whitewater Kayaking

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent reference for the whitewater enthusiast., September 7, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Whitewater Rescue Manual: New Techniques for Canoeists, Kayakers, and Rafters (Paperback)

Mssrs. Walbridge and Sundmacher cover the subject of whitewater rescue well. It is geared toward the recreational boater, but is also a valuable tool for the public safety officer (police, sheriff, fire/rescue,SAR, ranger, etc.). It does not cover reading whitewater, since assumes the reader is already a boater of some sort. It does present the most common problems and solutions. In addition it covers use of the tools needed to safely execute timely rescues. Easy reading, excellent photographs and drawings illustrate the points well.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, June 30, 2008

By 

A. Hoopes (Idaho) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Whitewater Rescue Manual: New Techniques for Canoeists, Kayakers, and Rafters (Paperback)

Great book that anyone who plans on kayaking, rafting, or anything on the river, should own. There's the important and simple things that every one should know about what to do in possibly dangerous river situations. There is also a good amount of advanced rescue techniques involving many ropes, pulleys, carabiners, and people so if that's what you're looking for this has it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Resource for Any Paddler, April 29, 2010

By 

D. Dow (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Whitewater Rescue Manual: New Techniques for Canoeists, Kayakers, and Rafters (Paperback)

This book is a must have for serious paddlers. It is well written and organized and covers techniques that should be part of any paddlers toolbox. While nothing can take the place of rescue training (and practice), the book is a good reference resource and can be used to broaden technical knowhow and refresh rusty memories BEFORE going back on the water.