Every paddler must understand rescue priorities to help reduce the confusion in rescue situations. Rescuers must avoid compounding a problem by becoming victims themselves.

The priorities are:

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1. The first priority is a paddler in the water. All rescue operations are based on the paddler’s initiation of a self-rescue. A decked boater should recover from an upset with an Eskimo roll whenever possible. Paddlers should swim to safety immediately if imminent danger exists (strainers, hazardous rapids). An integral component is a paddler’s responsibility to a partner. If a paddler cannot see his partner, he must establish voice contact to insure that the other person is conscious, uninjured and beginning to self-rescue. Communication between partners is an essential element of effective rescue. Experienced paddlers will usually instinctively self-rescue with their paddles in hand because of training and practice. Boats and other equipment are rescued only when it is safe to do so.

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2. The second priority is the swamped boat. Paddlers should try to execute a self-rescue with the swamped boat if the boat has flotation and is easily spotted by rescuers. However, if the weight and pressure of the boat inhibits safety or the ability to continue a self-rescue, a paddler should leave the boat and swim to safety.

3. The third priority is equipment. On flatwater, equipment will float near the swamped craft, and gear bags will bob in the water until paddlers are safe and the bags can be collected. In whitewater, equipment gathers in eddies or along river bends for collection later.

Establishing rescue priorities helps to promote quick, efficient rescues. If all paddlers understand their responsibilities in a rescue operation, then the rescue can often be managed more effectively.