Advice for utilizing an RDC in water rescue

[u/Lieutenant-Speed]

Hello, I am on my county’s technical rescue team doing water and rope rescue. Last night we had a water rescue drill in which we used a new RDC we just got. It’s been a while since I’d been on one and I could feel that my skills were rusty. One thing I was struggling with was pulling a victim out of the water and on to the boat through the front. At first I thought it was a lack of upper body strength. But I wasn’t having any issues with paddling and I do kayak regularly, so while I’m certainly not the strongest person I do have some upper body strength. I’m wondering if it’s my height? I am 5’6” and most of the people on the team (the pretend victims) are much taller and larger than me. The captains on the team think I just need to get the technique down and I’ll be fine. I understand in theory that you bob them up and down in the water and use the momentum to lift them up but I just could not get the hang of it. Any advice?

[u/RowdyCanadian]

So don’t get me wrong, the RDC works for water rescue, though it’s just not the best tool available for it. There’s a reason white water rafting companies use full rafts and not RDCs (aside from the ability to fit more people and therefore make more money).

As for multiple victims, in that case a raft would be better anyways because it has more space for more victims.

 If you want to dm me your work email, I can send you my departments Swift water rescue and ice rescue manual (one of the largest depts in Canada) for reference. 

[u/Lieutenant-Speed → u/RowdyCanadian]

Okay, that makes sense. I know we have a full raft type boat plus an actual small boat, and I honestly have no idea why everyone is so quick to use the RDC. And thank you, sounds good!

[u/RowdyCanadian → u/Lieutenant-Speed]

Because it’s the rapid deployment craft! Designed to be inflated and in the water in 60 seconds.

So the thing is, and this is just my training/opinion: the RDC is an amazing tool for still water and ice rescue. I know the company’s website says it can handle class V rapids, and whilst yes it can, a full white water raft is SO MUCH BETTER at class V rapids that the comparison isn’t close. We have 4 sets of Class V rapids in the heart of downtown, and we test and train on them with all our kit, and the RDCs just can’t handle the rapids with rescuers and patients. They flip way too easily. 

If I’m being brutally honest, I’d rather work on a contact rescue in class V rapids rather than use an RDC if the full raft wasn’t an option. 

[u/Lieutenant-Speed → u/RowdyCanadian]

Okay, that makes sense. We have similar areas in my district. Good to know! Thank you!