H2O Adventure Guide Club, based in Noboribetsu, Hokkaido, published a guide on what to do when a paddling partner capsizes, laying out rescue priorities and a four-step response.
When someone flips, how the group responds matters more than raw technique. It usually comes down to whether the group talked it through beforehand. Since packrafting is meant to be done with others, sharing this kind of knowledge ahead of time makes a real difference.
Rescue Priorities
According to the guide, the order of priority is: your own safety first, then the safety of the rescue team, then the swimmer, and finally any gear. The “3S” framework — Safety, Simple, Speed — guides decision-making: consider safety first, start with the simplest and lowest-risk option, then escalate to faster responses only as needed.
Four Steps
- Call out loudly or use a whistle to alert paddlers upstream and downstream
- Give short, verb-based instructions telling the swimmer exactly what to do
- Tow the swimmer to safety by having them grab the stern of your packraft — but be ready to let go if obstacles lie ahead
- If re-entry isn’t possible, adopt the floating position: on your back, hips and feet up, to avoid foot entrapment
The guide stresses that this only works with preparation — assigning lead and sweep roles ahead of time, practicing in a controlled setting, and completing JSPA training.
Related Link
→ Group Rescue Fundamentals for Packrafters (H2O Adventure Guide Club, Japanese)
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