I don’t usually jump on the forums, but i am tossing some stuff around in my head that I would very much like to put out to general discussion. I just completed the packraft rescue training course that Forrest set up with Scott Sole in Jackson Hole. The course was excellent and i came away with several helpful ideas. However, what i was really struck with was how much of the course DIDN’T apply to packrafting. First of all, no packrafter will carry all the stuff they recommend having for rescue. Second, packrafts in trouble don’t generate the tremendous forces that larger craft do when they are trapped in the water. So the situation is a bit different. My question is this…What should we take? How light in weight can we make this package?
So many people who are avid packrafters are also avid climbers. Many of you are professional guides with lots of experience in rescue work. So i am putting the question out to all of you…what do you think would make a good rescue kit that would be light enough in weight that you would take it with you on a trip? What would it consist of? I would like to hear opinions on rope options for throw bags, what kinds of caribeeners, pullys, etc. you consider important or necessary. It would be great to eventually develop a concensus for what works for packrafting safety because it is a different set of problems and criteria than regular river rescue gear .
Cheers, Sheri