PADDLER 30
PADDLER 30
Photo: Johan Deramoudt
board from the water, we asked for the pilot ladder to be lowered( see previous chapter). Since the ship was empty and the freeboard immense, the ladder was already deployed at full length. You can’ t see it in the video, but the crew did what they would do in an actual situation; the ballast tanks were partially flooded until the pilot ladder was a few steps below the waterline. Perfect for us!
EXHAUSTED AND HYPOTHERMIC VICTIM
We started with the scenario first! Sylvie and Hugo stayed in their kayaks. Hugo played an exhausted and hypothermic victim who had just capsized. Sylvie performed a swift scoop rescue and formed a raft with a carabiner hook. We train on this often, and the carabiner hook ensures that the raft is solid and that the rescuer has their hands free for other tasks. Sylvie pulled her ODEO distress flare, which was the sign that the RIO crew would rush in.
The lifeboat was lowered into the water with the onboard crane. Upon arrival at the scene, Sylvie informed the crew; they immediately took over Hugo( victim) and placed him on the built-in stretcher in the lifeboat. Sylvie also climbed on board, and the kayaks were left behind like in a distress situation. We( imaginary) informed the Coast Guard of the rescue and the kayaks that were left behind. Once the lifeboat was brought on board the mothership RIO, Hugo was treated indoors against further hypothermia while awaiting the Coast Guard’ s arrival
As this wasn’ t our first time doing this, everything worked out smoothly. We decided to move on with further rescue drills. The captain even wore his survival suit to participate in the training. The crew operating the lifeboat switched, so everyone got to work together. We trained on bringing casualties on board in different settings( ambulatory versus unconscious) and looked for the best way to exit and board the RHIB lifeboat as a rescuer. We could exchange experiences firsthand; Michel, the helmsman, is a safety instructor. We looked into important differences between the lifeguard and high altitude jump. These are two different techniques, each serving another purpose.
With the lifeguard jump, you jump from the side, from a RHIB or something that is not high. Legs are scissorlike, and arms are wide open, breaking the impact on