Req 8e — Swimmer Rescue from Canoe

A swimmer in the water — whether they fell out of their own boat, jumped in to cool off and got into trouble, or capsized a watercraft — needs to be rescued efficiently without capsizing your canoe in the process. This skill bridges canoe handling with water rescue.

Approach the Swimmer

1. Assess the situation before you paddle over. Is the swimmer calm or panicking? Are they injured? Are there hazards (current, other boats, obstacles) between you and them?
2. Approach from downwind or downstream if possible. This gives you more control as you get close — you can slow down naturally rather than fighting to hold position.
3. Approach the swimmer from the side, not head-on. You do not want to hit them with the bow.
4. Communicate clearly. Call out: “We are coming to get you. Stay calm. We are going to bring you alongside.”

Position the Canoe

1. Bring the canoe alongside the swimmer so the swimmer is at the center of the canoe (near the widest, most stable point).
2. Both paddlers shift their weight to the far side of the canoe to counterbalance the swimmer’s weight as they come aboard.
3. If using a rescue sling, lower it over the near side so the swimmer can step into it.

Get the Swimmer Aboard

Method 1: Stern Pickup

This is the most stable approach:

1. Position the swimmer at the stern of the canoe, facing the transom.
2. The swimmer grabs the stern gunwales with both hands.
3. On a count, the swimmer kicks hard and pulls themselves up and over the stern, belly-first.
4. The bow paddler leans forward to counterbalance the weight at the stern.
5. The swimmer rolls into the canoe and moves to a stable position.

Method 2: Side Pickup

Use when the swimmer is alongside the canoe:

1. The counterbalancing paddler leans hard to the far side, lowering that gunwale toward the water and raising the near gunwale slightly.
2. The swimmer grabs the near gunwale at the center of the canoe.
3. On a count, the swimmer kicks and pulls over the near gunwale while the paddler counterbalances.
4. The swimmer rolls in belly-first, keeping low, and immediately moves to the center of the canoe.

Method 3: Paddle Bridge

If the swimmer cannot pull themselves in:

1. Extend a paddle across the canoe with the blade resting on the far gunwale and the grip extending over the near gunwale toward the swimmer.
2. The swimmer grabs the paddle shaft and uses it as a rail to pull themselves up and over the gunwale.
3. Counterbalance from the opposite side throughout.

After the Rescue

1. Check the swimmer for signs of cold-water shock, hypothermia, or injury. Wrap them in a dry layer if available.
2. Position the rescued swimmer low in the center of the canoe for maximum stability.
3. Paddle to shore as directly as possible. A three-person canoe is less stable and harder to maneuver.
4. If the swimmer’s canoe is still in the water, decide whether to tow it or return for it after reaching shore.

You can rescue a swimmer from the water using your canoe. For the final rescue skill, you will learn how to use a throw bag from shore — one of the most effective tools in water rescue.