Leo Experiences a Canoe Mishap

[Leonardo]

(This thread is a breakaway from the thread here (http://www.short-media.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48522&page=2) discussing upgrading strategy of an Athlon system. I've taken the liberty to transplant the canoeing-related posts into this new thread.)

Leonardo wrote: "Although this thread has been a good discussion and I learned much, upgrades will have to wait. Proposed purchases for my Athlon box and the upgrades I wanted to perform for my other computers were already stretching disposable income available this summer. But then, cash flow was altered today, making things even tighter. Today I had a mishap canoeing in the Eagle River. The current and level was way up from the last time I canoed, due accelerated mid-summer snow and glacier melt at the higher elevations. I and the guy I was canoeing with misjudged the water's speed at a pile of logs smack in the middle of the river. We were unable to maneuver in time. The current slammed us broadside against the logjam and flipped us. Thank God we weren't trapped under the logs...like the canoe was. I had lashed everything we had - lunch, water container, change of clothes, and a bag with my cellphone and wallet to canoe's braces, but the force of the water pushing the canoe into the logs sheared the cord that had secured my wallet and cellphone. The clothes in the waterproof bag were dry, but when we eventually recovered the canoe, the bag with my wallet and cellphone were gone. I almost never carry more than $50 in cash. Unfortunately today was an exception. Not a great loss, but to buy computer parts now would result in money being taken from our vacation budget. Just can't do that!"

[Leonardo]

Mirage wrote: "Leo, I am glad that you are safe. Money, phone, etc. are all secondary compared to health and life. Maybe you could also recover your bag, who knows, someone might give you a call in the following days after finding it down the river. Think this way, you might have missed just one of the never ending upgrade cycles. Take care "

[Leonardo]

Leo wrote: "Replace the cellphone - sure. Put off upgrades. Why not? It's a never ending cycle anyway. The force of the water was so strong, and the temperature so cold, had one of us been forced under the water, I don't know if we would have come back up.

We should have stayed out of the river today. We saw the current, but no, we had to be macho adventure men! But then, that's the plight of the male species. "

[Leonardo]

Hawk wrote: "Sorry to hear the news Leo.
But very glad neither of you were drowned.
I know how scary that can be.
I also canoe and have canoed whitewater on the upper delaware gap.
We hit 8's on a scale of 10. very exciting stuff unless you turn over.
We camped on an island at the halfway point.
Early morning I went down to the point on lower end of the island to fish.
While I was there fishing I watched as a guy on the NJ side put a canoe in. (Mind you it was quite a chilly mornin, so some were wearing heavy jackets/coats.)
So, This guy has 2 little children with him (boy & girl) wearing heavy coats.
He proceeds to put them in the canoe (no lifejackets) him either.
He pushes the canoe straight out into the fast running river, instead of sliding in on an angle. The canoe shot out into the current and tipped over immediately.
All said and done myself and a buddy I grabbed jumped into our canoe (with life jackets) and had the scare of our lives getting to the guy who had sunk under with the boy in his arms going under. We reached them just in time for me to grab down about 3 ft to the boys arm and pull them both up. Both unconscious, him clinging to the boy.
Got them both breathing again. had a 30min ordeal getting them to shore, with him hanging on the side of the canoe.
The girl was fished out by someone fishing the shore just down from where they went in. Thankfully no one died.
Police,Paramedics and others (family) were waiting onshore by the time we got them accross the river. Both in shock.Then they took over."

[Leonardo]

Daxx wrote: "That's incredible! When I was reading your story it was playing like a movie in my head. I had to get up and walk off the tension. WOW!

And Leo, glad you're still with us and no one was hurt. Upgrades to computers are a lot easier and less costly than repairs to the human body."

[Leonardo]

Hawk wrote: "There was quite a bit more to it, but I tried to keep it short enough to understand.
Imagine what I and my buddy felt like pumping our arms off like a madmen, out of breath, adrenaline creating more anxiety, while watching them go under time after time. Everytime they went under I thought we lost them for sure. And then to get to them and pull them up.. a second of relief until realizing neither was breathing. Then having to give both CPR. My buddy all this time trying to keep us from tipping over in the rapids, while I have the baby boy over my lap pounding him on the back as much as possible without hurting him. To remove water from lungs., then blow some air in etc. Hanging onto the guy on the side of the boat and pounding him in between working on the tot. Couldn't have been more than 3-4 yrs old. if it weren't for my buddy keeping us in the right position, we would have surely turned over too. It was a very good feeling for us both to get them breathing and to shore."

[Leonardo]

Well, here comes my military training into play. Here's the after action report:

1) Things we did well:

-- Preparation included accident planning - how to escape the current and escape the water.
-- We wore flotation vests, packed potable water, and tied down a change of clothes in a waterproof duffel bag.
-- We worked as a team.

2) Things we did not do well:

-- Training. I should have taken my friend (my future son in law) to a lake for practice first, and to test his skills. He was not ready. My fault for putting him in the river.
-- Equipment. The river is not too swift for experienced canoeists with the right boat. Our boat was 17' cargo canoe -just too big, too sluggish for the rapid maneuvers necessary in a swift river.
-- Lashing that tied down some of the equipment was not strong enough. I should have used heavy nylon rope, which I did use for the change of clothes and for the canoe's front tow line.

[dragonV8]

Wow.............2 amazing stories in one.(Leo & Hawk)

Sure good to hear of a favourable outcome, considering the alternatives, Leo.:thumbsup:

My experience with canoeing has been in the canals of Amsterdam as a youngster, which is NO comparison. Good to see you are able to post about it.:)

Hawk, your story is very touching, with nice ending. Well done.

[Hawk]

Good idea on the transplant Leo. Thnx.
As far as the training-- i agree wholeheartedly on making sure you partner is capable of handling the degree of whatever sport your going into.
Especially canoeing.
Inexperience can cause very bad things to happen.
Funny, now that I think about it. I don't think I've told this to anyone other than a brief mention of it to GnomeWizardd a long time ago. Only because we've been buds many yrs., (since he was kneehigh) and have always shared our experiences.
Thnx dragon, it was an instant reaction that we didn't even think about.
I've always been one of those people that just jumps into action when faced with a serious situation. Always been lucky like that. Some people freeze with terror, which I don't hold any bad thoughts on that either. It's just instinct to freeze or react. I've been blessed with strong fortitude for wading into the fray. (so to speak)
Now, When it was all over --my buddy and I sat down and had a cry of relief & happiness afterwards.
The more I think of Leo's mishap, I just give thanks that he & his buddy are ok. That water had to be dangerously cold.
So, Let his and my stories be a lesson and warning to all who want to just jump in there and do something that can be fun or very dangerous. Practice and prepare for your fun experience. That way it will be just that--fun.

[Mt_Goat]

Good to see you were able to write about it instead of someone else writing it for you! ;)

[Hawk]

Yes thnx MT,
It's funny how some things you just keep inside without realizing it.
It's good medicine to get it out.
Not for cudo's, but just to lighten the heart of the trauma of the situation.
Also a reminder for others to use as a guide for safety.

[jradmin]

Glad to hear everything came out OK. I know that had to be a scary time. I've been on some canoe trips up to the New River here in NC, and if the rains swell the river it can get very hairy.

Just glad everyone walked away =)

[madmat]

When I first saw this thread I read it as a Conroe mishap....