Prepping for Palmer Rapids | River Rescue Practice

In preparation for their upcoming journey to Palmer Rapids in the Madawaska River, Mr. Bemrose's Grade 11 Outdoor Education classes took to the river to learn some basic rescue and swimming techniques. 

 

Some of the skills the students learned included: defensive and aggressive swimming in moving water, throw bag rescues, and how to swim past a strainer and a diagonal traverse. Each of these skills could potentially be used when the classes head out white-water canoeing in the next couple of weeks. As well, the overriding focus for the days was on risk and crisis management.

 

Despite the cold water and the sometimes uncooperative weather, the days on the river were fun, challenging and educational.

Learning how to safely navigate the river channel is important as it allows students to see how to find safe routes down a river. Putting all of these skills together helps students gain the confidence to paddle safely down rivers.