River Rescue: A Manual for Whitewater Safety

by Les Bechdel, Slim Ray

Revised new 1997 edition gives expert advice on all aspects of river safety, covers latest gear and methods, and contains expanded material on big-water rescue -- the essential manual for every fast-water paddler.

Genres: Outdoors

303 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

Reviews

[Cam Torrens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm writing an action-adventure fiction novel that includes several river rescues on the Upper Arkansas. I wrote the first draft based on what I thought was common sense, and even threw a couple of questions into ChatGPT. Ran that rough copy by a river expert. He laughed.

After walking me through the way river rescue really works, he handed me this book and said, "In case you forget what I just told you...these guys wrote the book on it." Forty years after publication, this rescue "bible" is as applicable as it was when first published.

Keeping me from looking like a clueless idiot author making things up is a good thing. Hats off to authors Les Bechdel and Slim Ray--because writing a book that saves lives is an incredible thing!

[Chandra Boulden · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great easy to read book with a lot of practical tips. Should be a must read for anyone rafting no commercially. Presents many things to be aware of.

[Timmy Fearn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is "the" book for river rescue. Get it, read it, practice it. Play safe and be prepared for the unexpected.
The format is presented in a way that builds on itself allowing the practitioner to start with a basic foundation and gain insight along the way. River sense may not be something that is teachable but this book will give you an amazing head start.

[Chris Noland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Needs to be read by anyone getting on the river. Excellent supplement to a swiftwater rescue course.