Yeah, its funny--
Mokumlekid posted a link to the same rescue vid just a little while ago (a month or so ago?) And hardly anyone commented on it which I thought was odd given the extraordinary setting.

I didn't realize it was that falls way up the Hamma Hamma. Beautiful falls but I wouldn't want to fire it up.

The rescue was bold and heroic due to the consequences obviously as well as the difficult setting where the rescuer had to work. Pretty awesome to see such a rescue captured on video as it can only serve to enlighten others to the fact that there are more possibilities than most of us might imagine.

Some might wonder what an average class III rescue might have in common with a scenario like this that seems so off the hook and extreme.

I think its worth pointing out how this scenario is similar to the UK vid someone posted just last week or whenever: in both scenarios the would-be rescuer is positioned where he can see the action go down, and more importantly wastes no time getting into position to do what needs to be done. I'd also stress based on my own experience that you can formulate your plan on the fly while you are responding, in most cases. That is a nifty side effect to all of the endorphines and adrenaline- I think it can help you think and therefore act much more quickly provided the body has trained itself to perform the actions required (ferry over, clip cow tail to boat before climbing out, stabilize boat, position self, throw bag, yard on that swimmer). Of course, thats why its important to practice that stuff in class III/IV scenarios. Because by the time you need those skills and reflexes in the Class V realm, those skills and reflexes need to be sharp to mitigate the consequences.

I sure as hell wouldn't want to swim anywhere on the Hamma Hamma, let alone swim that falls.

There was one thing about this rescue that I noticed that doesn't bother me but I could imagine all sorts of Armchair Swiftwater Rescue "Experts" critiquing would be the rescuer's Rope Management. That sh*t was pretty snarled and wrapped around his hand. Now, I'm just pointing it out. I'm not being critical of it. I'm pointing it out because I have had to yard my share of paddlers toward me in situations where simply letting the current pendulum the swimmer to the bank simply will not do. And it is really difficult (in my personal experience) to yard someone in and manage your rope simultaneously. Think about it. You gotta not only pull the swimmer to the bank but reel him in. Its gonna require two hands.

I confess that this aspect of ropework remains a challenge for me, and I know what its like to therefore have a fist or two full of tangled rope. Not good. Especially above some huge waterfall. But in thd moment it is gonna be what its gonna be unless you've somehow practiced with rope enough to keep that sh*t untangled.. its tougher with skinny rope, too.

Pretty clutch rescue though. I enjoyed watching it again.

That's my favorite part too. Its actually how I use my cowtail most frequently. I like to clip it to my boat so I can climb out on tiny rocks barely big enough to stand on midstream so I can take a piss without paddling over to the much less intersting bank. Plus little games like that can serve as skill builders too.

Another aspect Of the rescue that I appreciated seeing caught on vid:
You can hear him telling the swimmer to hold on. Words of encouragement are great in the moment. They give people hope and a strengthened resolve to keep their sh*t together till you arrive on scene. "Hang on- I'm coming!" sh*t like that is huge.

Anyway- great vid everyone should see it.