"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 06 Aug 2007 22:00:50 -0700, Chuck Gould
wrote:

Who's had some actual training or hands-on experience in this field?
Tom, maybe?

In water assist is never an option unless the MOB is injured in some
way that precludes the MOB from assisting in the rescue. In that
case, going over the side without a PFD on the rescuer is inviting
diaster.

Most boaters don't have the equipment to pull off a simple rescue,
never mind one that is complicated. Something like a simple throw bag
or life ring are absent on most small boats. Throwable cushions are
fine, but I'll bet you any amount of money you would like to name that
nobody here on this group practices throwing one. Or how to throw
one. How many small boats have boat hooks? How many here actually
know how to properly throw a cushion or throw bag? How many know how
to properly approach a MOB for rescue - or the proper way to rescue an
unconscious, or floating face down MOB?


Don't forget: How to manage a MOB who's panicking, ready to grab anything
(or anyone), and threatens to sink YOU if you're in the water. Lifeguards
are trained to deal with this, although sometimes the victim's strong enough
to still cause trouble. Then, lifeguards improvise.