Shortly after 2:00 PM on the comfortably warm, somewhat overcast afternoon of Sunday, June 8, two teenaged males were canoeing down the Patuxent River in Savage, Maryland when their canoe overturned. Both teens were able to get to safety. However, only one was able to make it to shore due to swift water currents. The other teen sought refuge on a large rock 15 to 20 feet from the right side of the river. A bystander witnessed this and called 9-1-1, which dispatched the water rescue assignment for a subject trapped on the rocks. This particular assignment calls for a large cache of equipment and apparatus, including three dive/boat units from Prince George's County, Dive Units 49, 22, and 56 - triple dispatched, as per PGFD protocol, and Howard County Ops 10 for swift water rescue services.
After surveying the situation, a PFD (personal flotation device) and helmet were thrown to the victim as well as a rope throw bag. After weighing several rescue options, command BC 1, Sharpe, decided to deploy a ladder system out to the teen. Since he was uninjured, he then managed a self rescue. He was able to climb over the two roof ladders to shore where he was evaluated by EMS and released.
After approximately an hour and a half on the rocks, the victim was successfully removed from his watery predicament, safe and sound, although maybe a bit cold and wet. This sort of situation happens at least once or twice a year in Savage on the rocks.
