Overview

A throw bag is a rescue device with a length of rope stuffed loosely into a bag so it can pay out through the top when the bag is thrown to a swimmer.

• In a "Clavey throwbag", the bottom of the bag as a grab loop for the swimmer to hold on to.
• The "BlueWater mesh throwbag" has a small mesh to let the rope dry quickly.

It is standard rescue equipment for kayaking

Kayaking

Kayaking is the use of a kayak for moving across water. Kayaking and canoeing are also known as paddling. Kayaking is distinguished from canoeing by the sitting position of the paddler and the number of blades on the paddle...

 and other outdoor river recreational activities.

See also Personal flotation device

Personal flotation device

A personal flotation device is a device designed to assist a wearer, either conscious or unconscious, to keep afloat.Devices designed and approved by authorities for use by...

.

Use and Technique

The use of a throw bag is generally to rescue someone who is swimming down a river after capsizing their kayak or canoe, but can also be used for gear retrieval and sometimes climbing purposes in portage

Portage

Portage or portaging refers to the practice of carrying watercraft or cargo over land to avoid river obstacles, or between two bodies of water. A place where this carrying occurs is also called a portage; a person doing the carrying is called a porter.The English word portage is derived from the...

s.

Rescue Techniques

Swimmer rescue

• Recognition - The party with the throw bag needs to see the swimmer and retrieve the throw bag
• Preparation - Quickly the 'bagger' needs to play out about a meter of rope from the mouth of the bag, and try to get a partner to stand behind them holding onto them, preferably by the life jacket. The bagger if they have time should take the meter of revealed rope and take it around their back so they can hold the tail of the rope, and the line feeding into the bag with their body in the loop, resting the rope on their back.
• Communication - The 'bagger' needs to communicate to the swimmer that they are going to throw a rope, as the rope is best visible in the air, and can be lost by the swimmer when it is in the water. Shouting "rope rope rope" is a common industry standard by rafting companies.
• The Throw - The 'bagger' will grasp the meter of played out line in their off hand, and throw the bag either in an underhand or overhand fashion aiming to land the bag past the head of the swimmer, taking care to lead them as they will be moving downstream during the throw.
• Anchoring - If the rope is caught by the swimmer the thrower has a very short time to anchor themselves. This involves both them and their partner holding them from behind, sitting down, pushing off any rock or trees with their feet to keep from being dragged into the river. If the bagger hasn't already they need to take the meter of rope around their back so they can hold onto the rope with both their left hand and their right hand, but have the weight of the swimmer be applied to the broad surface of their back, making gripping the rope easier. The bagger or the swimmer should NOT wrap the rope around their hand, neck, or body.
• Swimmer position - The swimmer upon handling the rope needs to turn onto their back with their head pointed upstream and the rope going over their shoulder as they hold it unwrapped in both hands.
• The pendulum effect - On a straight river the swimmer will be naturally pushed by the current to the shore they have been bagged from. When they get to shore the bagger can start to pull them in, hand over hand.

Gear Rescue - V Drag
Applications of the throw bag to rescue gear in a river. Have parties on both sides of a river that is smaller than the length of a throw bag. Throw a bag from one side of the river to the other with both parties holding an end. Attach a person who has a lifejacket with a strong swimmer harness http://www.hudsontrail.com/viewFeatureItem/7/50/13249/ and attach them to the line. Using angles position them the gear and lower them down for rescue with either a pin kit or basic retrieval.
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Unrelated, a "Hozer throwbag" is a training device for baseball/softball players.

External links

• Use of throw bags - Riversafe.org.nz
• Instructions for making a throw bag - CanyonWiki.com