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?

The technique I was taught is to throw something floatable with a line
attached, usually a "life sling device". You then circle the person
to bring the line and flotation close by, similar to bringing the tow
rope to a water skiier. If the PIW is concious they grab the rope and
pull themselves to the boat, otherwise someone wearing a PFD has to go
in and assist them into the life sling for retrieval.