"John Fereira" wrote in message
.. .
"riverman" wrote in :


"Courtney" wrote in message
nk.net...
I was actually formally taught a "hand of god" rescue in an all day
class last August but it was described using a different name. I'd
never seen it described such that that capsized paddler would reach
up with a hand for a rescue. The technique that I was shown was for
a paddler, upside down and still in the cockpit, but for one reason
or another in unable to assist with their own rescue. It was simply
called a 'trapped paddler rescue" and rather than grab a hand, which
could possible be attached to the arm of a dislocated shoulder,
grabbing the pfd was recommended.

This is the way that I learned the technique as well and have always
taught it that way as an instructor. You never know what injuries the
upsidedown person may have and always need to be cautious.

Just to throw my 2-sense in, remember that someone suffering an
obstructed airway (like by hanging upside down in their kayak) has a
higher level of need than someone with a dislocated shoulder, or even a
broken neck. Although you don't *want* to complicate things by grabbing
their hand and exasorbating their other injuries, if they've been out
of air for a few minutes and time is getting urgent, grabbing their
arm, hair, PFD or moustache to get them right side up is the preferred
course. Worry about the next life-threatening thing once you've
relieved the first.

You certainly make a good point. I was taught the "hand of god" rescue
such
that it was performed in two stages. The first order of business is to get
the victims face out of the water, which could be done by reaching around
and grabbing the victims pfd or even the cockpit rim while pushing down on
the edge of boat closest to you. Assuming the victim *can* breath and
respond at that point you can then grab whatever is necessary to bring the
victim completely upright.

Good points as well. I used this method once when a friend of mine got her
leg twisted up in the boat and couldn't get out. We were still going
through a rapid and the hardest part was still to come. It's nice to know
that there's something pretty easy like that to use when a situation goes
wrong.

Courtney