Stranded kayaker rescued from Russian River
October 10th, 2010 | Published in In and Around, In the News, Long Line, Rescue
Sonoma County Sheriff’s Press Release
On 10/21/2010 at approximately 12:44 PM, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Helicopter “Henry 1″ was dispatched to a possible rescue in the area of Memorial Beach, Healdsburg. It was originally reported as a female kayaker stranded on a rock downstream from Memorial Beach after being ejected from her tandem kayak. Her kayak partner was able to swim to shore.
The Sheriff’s Helicopter Unit responded along with Healdsburg Fire Dept., Windsor Fire Dept., and the Sheriff’s Boating Unit. The Henry-1 crew arrived on scene and located a female stranded on a rock in the middle of the Russian River just north of the Hwy 101 bridge. After assessing the scene it was determined that, due to the rushing water on both sides of the victim, a “long line” rescue would be the safest and most expedient method of moving the victim out of danger and over to safe shores.
Sheriff’s Pilot Paul Bradley then flew Tactical Flight Officer Debbie Little to the victim via 100-foot long-line attached to the bottom of the helicopter. TFO Little then placed the victim into a rescue ”horse collar” and they were both flown securely to shore. The victim was turned over to Healdsburg Fire personnel to be medically cleared. The victim, age 65 of Cotati, suffered no injuries.
The Henry-1 crew routinely trains and practices these very rescue scenarios along with local public safety agencies to ensure the highest standard of professional, efficient and safe life-saving rescue measures possible. This afternoon’s rescue evolution in Healdsburg, from spotting the victim in the Russian River to her rescue, took only six minutes.
