Staff members from the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission (ANHC), Arkansas State Parks, The Nature Conservancy, and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission converged on the Ouachita River Whitewater Park for a swiftwater rescue skills course led by instructor Tom Burroughs. Tom is the director of Ozark Safety and Rescue Educators and has previously instructed ANHC staff for swiftwater rescue, wilderness first aid, and wilderness first responder courses. 

Tom coordinated with Entergy to request a water release authorization for the day of the training, which allowed students to safely navigate the white-water portions of the river. The day started with a few hours of classroom material at the park pavilion where Tom discussed risk assessment and safety considerations like proper personal protective equipment and the dangers of hypothermia. When air temperatures rose, the classroom moved to the water where students practiced swimming at a 45 degree angle through swiftwater currents. Tom encouraged students to familiarize themselves with the power of the currents and the relief of eddys -- an area where the current varies from the rest of the river. 

After everyone had warmed up (figuratively speaking), Tom taught some assisted wading techniques. One technique involved using a boat paddle for stabilization — forming a tripod with the legs and the paddle. Other techniques involved working together as a team; two students faced each other and formed a more stable, four-legged posture. The entire class then gathered to form a pyramid shape, with the point using a boat paddle for stabilization, and the others holding onto two adjacent people. This technique allows a larger group of people to move across swiftwater while reducing the chances of getting knocked over by the current and can allow for people at the rear to hold onto someone in need of rescue.

Tom also instructed students on rope-throwing techniques that rescuers can implement from the bank of a water body; these techniques included variations of throw bag tosses and how to set up stabilization and snag lines. Students executed throw bag drills and took turns being the rescuer and the rescued. 

The day wrapped up with a few rescue scenarios, in which Tom enlisted some students to serve as actors while everyone else put together and implemented a plan of rescue. The scenarios were followed by discussion on the effectiveness of the techniques used. The day was full of solid teamwork, excellent instruction, and lots of learning.

Special thanks to Ryan Daniel who assisted Tom with the course by bringing a safety boat, taking photos throughout the training, and playing the part of a dazed survivor during the final scenario.

Photos:
Photo 1: Staff members from the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, Arkansas State Parks, The Nature Conservancy, and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission converged on the Ouachita River Whitewater Park for a swiftwater rescue skills course led by instructor Tom Burroughs. Photo by Ryan Daniel.

Photo 2: Students practice swimming through white water currents and eddys at the Ouachita River Whitewater Park as part of a swiftwater rescue skills course. Photo by Ryan Daniel.

Photo 3: Using boat paddles, students practice an assisted wading technique during the swiftwater rescue course. Photo by Ryan Daniel.

Photo 4: Students learned how to rescue from the bank using rope-throwing techniques. Photo by Ryan Daniel.

Photo 5: Participants use a group wading technique to rescue course instructor Tom Burroughs. Photo by Ryan Daniel.