Gear Garage Live Show | May 13th, 2025

This podcast is the audio version of the Gear Garage Live Show, where we answer submitted questions and talk all things whitewater.

Topics and links that Zach talked about in this episode

• Rescue Courses
• D-Ring Testing
• Answer Questions

Some of the Questions that Zach covered in the Q&A section of this episode

Topic: Pinned Kayak Rescues

A few days ago I was involved in my 2nd rescue of a person in pinned kayak. Both incidents were very similar. They happened at low water in relatively easy rapids (class III-), but created very dangerous situations. The kayakers could not safely wet exit because their kayak was perpendicular to the current and their head was upstream. Luckily their heads were above water, but this easily could have not been the case.

As a rafter, I did my best in handling these situations. I was the 1st on the scene and followed my training by first asking if they were stable so I could decide if we could take our time or if we needed to get them out ASAP. Both rescues were a success, but I am left wondering if there are some key fundamentals it would be good for both rafters and kayakers to understand here. The 2 swiftwater rescue courses I have taken focused too much on how to get empty boats unpinned and not enough on pinned kayaks with people in them.

This is probably too much to answer on the spot, but perhaps would make a good video after you thought about it some more.

Topic: Deflating Tubes for Stuck Boat

Love the show. I am a better/safer boater because of your show and your videos.

I was recently stuck hard (semi-submerged) on a relatively small rock. I needed to stay in the boat for safety… I deflated tubes as part of working the boat off the rock.

Is there an order to deflate in? IE - highside tube first? Or do you deflate them all a little and see what happens? Thanks.