Rafting Tragedy

I have fruitfully completed eight months in the new organization, which is one of fastest growing organization in Portland, Oregon. A rafting trip to White Salmon River in Washington was arranged by our company to celebrate its anniversary.

White Salmon River is one of best place for River rafting in Northwest. Rafting or white water rafting is very exciting, adventurous, thrilling, dangerous and extreme water sport activity. Paddle the raft on the wild stream of water surrounded by the rocks, greenish giant tress, unexpected whirl-pool, unknown deep, cold water temperature of 4 º C (39 ºF) during summer, crystal clear transparent water, still lot cannot be expressed as words. Wow, it was an awesome wild trip and enjoyment for lifetime. As our trip was guided by an expert in rafting, I had a hope that it would not be much risky.

To know the details of rafting trip you can refer this site.White Salmon River Rafter

Let me move on to the topic “the tragedy”. I was afraid, because I am not an expert in swimming. But my colleagues gave me confidence to go ahead with rafting. Finally, I got confidence to paddle on wild-wild Northwest River. We were ready for rafting with all equipment's, nylon workout shorts, T-shirts (no cottons), skin-tight swimsuit, life vest, paddling socks, paddle and helmet, of course with inflatable raft and an experienced guide. Everything was just perfect to float on the rapids. Now all we need to do was to jump into the raft and be ready for comment from our captain to paddle. Our guide taught us couple of techniques about paddling and how to steer the raft. Also he taught us the technique of rescuing victim who fell down into the river drifts.

For example, if someone falls into the River, he should be swimming at least
without bumping the rock. Rescuer will extend his paddle to the victim to grab. As soon as victim grabs the paddle, he should move towards the boat to grab the rope rolled out on the boat. Then rescuer will hold the shoulder of the life vest of the victim and pull him up into the boat.

After precautionary and rescue sessions, we started rafting. The softest feather like River seems to be mellow, rich in purity, poor in sound and wild in its speed. We were following guide’s comment to paddle right or left or reverse. Gradually river became wild, narrow, wind and with deep whirlpools. Water flow was violent, as water descent. Guide was asking us paddle on and off. During the rafting we passed through a cave. As River changed its soft face to terrific, guide warned us that this is the difficult part and to keep eyes open, listen to his instructions and act accordingly. We understood that going forward, rafting would be exciting at the same time very dangerous too.

This was crucial piece of the rafting. I was holding one of my feet under the boat’s foot so it helps me to stay in the boat even if boat swifts while holding the paddle on both hands. Everything was smooth so far.

There was a sudden turning point. After sometime, our boat was travelling very fast. It took us its way and with water stream. It was quite uncontrollable. Water drove the boat towards the directions it flows. We realized in few seconds that our boat was moving towards the rock in front of us. Everything happened just in a blink. Guide was shouting and informing us that a rock in front of us. Everybody was aware and ready to prevent the bump. Guide was instructing us to pay attention and paddle reversely. By that time, to hold the paddle tightly and push it into the water to turn the boat left hand side, boat went off and bumped the rock hardly. Our effort was in vain and ineffective.

Our carelessness broke our excitement within few seconds and took us into different direction. Our eyes turned pale, wide open and blind. Mind was thinking to avoid more damage, prevent from injury, to save our lives and at any cost wanted to stay on the boat. Boat hit the rock and as I was sitting in the rear row, I was pushed and forced to hit the person in front. I lost my control and balance. I couldn’t prevent myself falling into the water. My both legs were on the boat and body was falling down into water. I fell down to the river side. I didn’t know how deep the river was. My right hand touched the water first, then my head. Luckily there were no rocks.




Though all these things were happening, my legs were on the boat. My body till hip was drowned into the river. Now my left leg lost its grip from boat and came out of it and sunk into the water. Total body went inside the water, except my right leg. As I drowned into the river, I did not know what is happening out. My entire body was hanging on my right leg. The body weight stretched my knees, which was rolled over the raft. I did not want to release my leg from the boat. I was lifting myself from the water, holding a leg into the boat. It increased the stretch on my knees.

My effort was worthless, I could not lift me. Even my crew members were trying to help me by pulling up. They were extending their hands to me. But I could not grab them. It was little far from my hand. My knees started paining. I could not lift myself and decided to release my leg from the boat. I could not do either. I was totally struck. No solution striking in my mind. I knew that somehow I should release my leg out of the boat. I decided to shake my body. It worked for me. Gradually my leg was coming out of the grip and finally came out.

I was totally sunk into the water. I got fear, how would I get into the boat. I came out of the water slowly and my face was up. My first thought was to grab the boat as soon as I came out of the water. When I came out, it was shocking to see the boat was not there. It moved 5 feet far and kept moving from me. Distance between the boat and me started increasing. Now crew members were extending the paddle to grab. When I was trying to grab the paddle, which was little closer, the boat moved further. I missed the chance. I was sinking into the water again but Life vest pushed me out. I panicked, as I was missing chances to board into boat. But I did not lose my hope. Boat was now 8 feet away from me. My friends were asking me to swim to get into the boat. My hands automatically pushed the water in and out; this action pushed my body forward. I repeated this three or four time. It helped me to move forward towards the boat and reduced distance between the boat and me. Now I was within the reach (3 foot from boat) and crew member extended the paddle again. This time I made it. I grabbed the paddle and moved towards the boat and got hold of the side rope on the boat. My team members pulled me in to the boat. Wow what a thrill! I re-boarded the boat and started paddling again.

Journey never ends...............

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