SAFETY NOTICE - GPSR - Whitewater Training Center

SAFETY NOTICE – GPSR (General Product Safety Regulation Europe)

Rope in fast moving water is an extreme hazard!

This product is for professional use only!

Operator must be trained on swiftwater rescue to use this product. Usage of this product must be in a manner that no human life is put at risk!

This product is

· Designed for human rescue in water operation

· Only for horizontal water operation. No vertical use!

· Not designed for equipment recovery

Rope must be replaced in cases of:

· you experience deformities or irregularities

· there is abrasion damage, exposure to chemicals, excessive UV exposure

· after being used improperly, eg. for equipment recovery

· end of life cycle according to: https://rescue-rope.jimdofree.com/features-and-specs/rope-info-lifespan/

How to use

1. Always wear PPE near the water:

· rivershoes,

· watersport-helmet,

· River Rescue Buoyancy Aid with knife,

· thermal protection appropriate for water and outside temperatures.

2. Choose the right place and assess risk before throwing

• The right place should be clear of obstacles, not have any hazards downstream and be safe for you to throw from. There should be an eddy downstream to swing the swimmer into.

• Get a good footing, brace your foot against rocks so the swimmer does not pull you into the water

3. Prepare for throw

• Open the bag

• Take out about two metres of rope for anticipation in case of a big pull

• Hold the bag in your throwing hand, and grab the extra 2m of rope with your other hand. Do not tie it off and keep it clean in the hand.

• Shout: „Rope!“ - to make visual contact with the swimmer. If they are not expecting your line, they won´t catch it.

3. Throw and rescue

• Throw the bag underarm or overarm; swing it than release it when pointing at the swimmer. Limit the flying time of your bag for more accurate throw.

• Aim to throw the bag past the swimmer so they can catch the line.

• Tell swimmer to turn onto his/her back after catching the rope.

• Brace yourself and anticipate for the pull when the rope gets tensioned. Let the current swing the swimmer to an eddy or pull them to shore. Help them out of the water than walk them away from the riverside after rescue.

• Manage rope in the hand at all times to avoid entanglement and being ready for a second throw if needed.

4. Repack your bag

· Run the line over your shoulder with the bag in front of you.

· Feed the line into the bag by short sections, creating a controlled pile inside the bag.

· Make sure you do not have knots on your rope to respect clean line principle and avoid the rope getting stuck.

5. Maintain after each use

· Rinse your rope when back at the base,

· Hang it away from the sun to let it dry and

· Inspect the rope for any deformities, irregularities or damage.

When not in use - maintain regularly

· Regularly wash your rope

· Regularly inspect your rope