My wife and I were able to enjoy a rafting trip through the Chilkat Eagle Preserve with Dr Ramsey and our guide, Preston. We saw some great scenery and dozens of eagles along with a couple of moose on our return home. I think this would be a great trip with any guides, but the end of the trip is when their character really shined.
While I did not see precisely how it occurred, a few guests exited their rafts just off the bank rather than directly onto shore as was intended. The banks are made of rather tenacious glacier silt and quickly grab onto the feet of people attempting to wade through the shallow water. It is also quite cold water as it has all just melted off the glacier.
With the lead of Scott Ramsey, he and all the guides immediately went to work, using their oars and supply lids to help displace the weight and help the guests loosen themselves from the mud and onto the shore.
Once to shore, they continued to address the medical urgency as the guests were at risk of hypothermia. They had blankets and dry clothing to quickly help them change.
Professionally, part of my responsibility is leading what people would know as a “Code Blue Team” in the hospital. In those emergencies, part of my job is insuring that everyone follows their training as the anxiety of the situation can quickly lead to chaos. What I saw that day on the river was a group of professionals who all knew what they were trained to do and worked together to rescue these people. I was on the cruise ship with two of the individuals who had become entrapped. They were smiling enjoying themselves when I ran into them the next day. If these guides were not so competent, I don’t believe it is an exaggeration to say with those water temperatures, things could have ended much differently.
I am certain they will review what occurred and how to prevent a similar accident from happening in the future, but accidents do and always will happen, and it is good to be with a group of individuals prepared to respond when they do.