Bogley

[Iceaxe]

RRFW Riverwire – River Runner Drowned at Hance Rapid
March 17, 2008

A non-commercial river runner flipped his raft in Hance Rapid on the afternoon of March 16, 2008, on the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park.

The boater was quickly retrieved from the water by other members of the group but was unresponsive. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) was initiated immediately.

The NPS was unable to fly a helicopter rescue mission that afternoon as the canyon was socked in with fog and snow showers were reported at the South Rim Helibase.

The group of river runners conducted a heroic attempt at CPR for well over an hour while traveling downstream to Grapevine Camp, five miles below Hance Rapid, arriving at Grapevine at roughly 5:00PM.

The river flow was approximately 11,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), five days after the end of the 41,000 cfs high flow experiment.

According to a Grand Canyon National Park press release posted this afternoon, the river trip continued downriver this morning to Phantom Ranch where they were met by park rangers.

The man’s body was flown out of the canyon to the South Rim Helibase, transferred to the Coconino County Medical Examiner and taken to Flagstaff, Arizona.

According to the Park Service, an autopsy will be performed to determine cause of death, and the Park Service is conducting its own ongoing investigation into the incident at this time.

The victim’s name and age are being withheld by the Park Service pending notification of next of kin.

River Runners for Wilderness extends our condolences to the family and trip members.

[tanya]

I want to do the Grand Canyon again, but I am so afraid of those rapids and falling out! :eek2:


Why is that most say the life preserver will save you but then some people still drown?

[Iceaxe]

One of the big killers in the GC is the cold water which causes heart failure. A number of death's are because of heart failure.

If you really are interested in why people die in the GC you need to read

Over the Edge: Death in Grand Canyon
http://www.amazon.com/Over-Edge-Death-Grand-Canyon/dp/097009731X

It's a pretty good book if you like reading about this type of stuff.

.

[Alex]

Inappropriately worn life jacket kills as well. Also, alcohol has a huge role on the river trips.

[tanya]

So..... I think I will buy a very good life jacket! Before I go and order a pink one, is there some good suggestions for one to get? The water is so shocking cold... does that have anything to do with some of the deaths too?

[Alex]

For sure! A good wet suit is a great addition to your river gear. Some people wear dry suits.

I like to put on a wet suit and then the splash gear on top. Splash gear keeps you dry during the rapids and the wet suit keeps you from hyperthormia a little longer. Make sure to get some good booties, any dive shop would have them.

From my research, this PFD would give you the highest floatation http://www.altrec.com/27566/ with a crouch strap it would probably be the safest too, because it will never come off you. I have one of these, they are bulky for sure, but I'd rather be uncomfirtable but alive. :eek2:

[tanya]

Could I see that crotch strap in photos. :mrgreen:

[Alex]

tanya wrote: Could I see that crotch strap in photos. :mrgreen:

Photos don't give it justice, they make things small :nono: So I will have to show it to you in person :naughty: :cool2:

[tanya]

It's a date. :naughty: