Caddo River Trip Report Sunday 3/29 Rescue

[Paddlegal]

(Moose forgive me ahead of time for hijacking your post) paddlegal

Marlo, Gary & Karla Rowland and myself had a good trip yesterday from The Swinging Bridge to Glenwood. The water was about 7.20 ft. or so at put-in time, and wonderfully sunny weather. We had some 'big for the Caddo' bouncy wavetrains and there were also a ton of surfing opportunities along the way. Also great gravel bar lunch of fried chicken at 'Lunchtime Rapid' but near the end of our trip though, things became quite a bit more somber
as we encountered a family of four in sit-on-top rental kayaks (not from the two major outfitters in the area) in various stages of hypothermia and we had to switch to rescue mode.
Earlier this morning, I tried to compose a more lengthy report but the 'computer ate my homework'... I'll try again, and be more brief.
We encountered these folks as they passed by what would have been our last rest break, about two miles above Glenwood, they were somewhat conversive and seemed to be paddling alright, but all looked wet. When we continued on, we shortly encountered them on a mid-stream submerged island/strainer of stick-ups, something didn't look right. As Marlo and Karla passed them and inquired, they offered limited and varied responses... When Gary and I stopped to check on them, it was obvious one of the ladies was certainly hypothermic, to the point of just sitting there (with her three little wet dogs,and a tangle of leashes...) She was pretty rigid and loosing the color in her face.
Marlo and Karla helped Gary and I chase down their missing paddles and life jacket before he and I returned upstream with their equipment. My plan A was to get them all back in their boats and quickly float with them on to the take-out, about 20-25 minutes away. No dice... The most affected lady was beyond holding or using a paddle, and the rest were doing little to prevent drifting into the next strainer. It was obvious we needed to go to plan B, getting them out of the river. With great help from Marlo, Gary, and Karla, we were able to get the folks to a more friendly landing just downstream. I have seldom tied on to another boat
but I saw that was going to be the only way to get this lady through another strainer and to the bank. Once on the shore, I really must commend Marlo and Karla for helping the lady to stand and especially for helping her to the woods where they could remove her wet clothes and re-outfit her with layers of warm, dry fleece.
One of the greatest helps to us was two local young guys who were riding their ATVs by at the time, before I got up to where they were Gary visited with them and they offered to go get their truck. After Marlo and Karla attended to the lady who was the most hypothermic, the guys showed up about twenty minutes later with a shiny red pickup that I'm sure they wouldn't have been down in this cow pasture with unless there was a real need. I was so pleased with their help and only regret not asking their names. After we had the people evacuated back to town, we pulled their boats up in the pasture for the outfitters to retrieve later. What a day!

Jim Moose

[Roger]

Props to you guys.

[Karla]

Don't think Jim mentioned it but we got lucky finding a kayak paddle and one vest. The other paddle was a canoe paddle up on a high rock that was evidentally there from a previous spill when the water level was higher. But the one lady was just not in any shape to paddle with either paddle. They were very lucky we came along when we did and that the 2 ATV riders were on the river near us.

Karla

[Jim E]

Always feels good to help out someone. Disappointing that "some" liveries have little concern for their clients. A young boyscout drowned on that river a few years ago when one of the "other" liveries rented he and his troop boats when the water was too high for novice floaters.

Glad ya'll came along and were able and willing to help.

[Karla]

Check out the Rec page for the Caddo Report. I posted a pic Jim took of me in my hero hopping the wave.

Karla

[Jim Krueger]

Thanks to you all for your comments! From this and other experiences on the 'more rental type rivers' such as the Caddo, Buffalo, Spring, etc. It makes me realize, I could be even more prepared to deal with hypothermia than I have been. We usually do carry plenty of extra dry clothing, but I need to make a better effort to carry some chocolate and high energy sugary snacks, which I don't eat myself and usually don't carry, for such emergencies. I have also given more thought about carrying some instant coffee, a tin cup, and some fuel pellets to boil water for a hot drink.
Yesterday was pretty tense :shock: I'm grateful the lady hadn't progressed even further. On the Caddo, boat and people entrapment are always present possibilities but not like swifter streams like Richland, Tot, etc. However Hypothermia victims seem to abound and are the most likely. I'm always thankful for favorable circumstances which help, as well as my well prepared floating companions!

Best Regards
Jim

[okieboater]

Hypothermia is (my opinion here) the most dangerous thing "rental" type floaters face.

Even the basic "Tump" and short swim can be very dangerous and the victems rarely know how to help themselves in the latter stages of hypothermia

I have nothing againest rental floaters, it is just that few of them know about dressing for a swim and even if they did, few buy the protective clothing or even a dry bag for extra clothing.

I used to carry garbage bags in my kayak. cut holes for head and arms and you have a very effective wind protector for those in need.

Lost count of how many trash bags that have been given away to early sping hot days and still freezing water on the Mulberry and Piney. Especially scary when you see the younger floaters leaving the putin dressed in shorts and tee shirts and no spares.

Any way, you guys were all heros for what you did.

Good Work!

[Ryan Viser]

Man......That's a really awesome thing that you guys did. I hate to think what could have happened to those folks if you hadn't come along when you did.

[Lifejacket]

On the Caddo, boat and people entrapment are always present possibilities but not like swifter streams like Richland, Tot, etc. However Hypothermia victims seem to abound and are the most likely. I'm always thankful for favorable circumstances which help, as well as my well prepared floating companions!

Best Regards
Jim

I am not sure i would go as far to say hypothermia is more abound. Last year alone I helped unpin 2 canoes and 1 kayak, of course they were all rentals. The scariest was when I saw the canoe get sideways and the 2 adults bailed as it approached the root wad leaving the 8 or 10 year old boy in the middle. The canoe broached on the root wad, but luckily when the canoe turned over the kid washed out from underneath. I believe it is the longest 2 or 3 seconds I have ever witnessed on the river, well right up there with Minna getting worked at Meek's Falls

[Cowper]

Sometimes you can't help everybody, and sometimes it is hard to decide when to mind your own business, and when your help is really needed.

Congratulations for making all the right calls, and doing the right things!