SKINNERS FALLS – Members of the National Canoe Safety Patrol (NCSP) are familiar with seeing boats flip over when going down the rapids at Skinners Falls, the section of river near Cochecton, NY and Milanville, PA.

But when NCSP member Anthony McGlynn saw a kayaker go over at the start of the roiling section of the falls and not keep moving, he knew something was wrong.

The man who fell out of his kayak tried to stand up and then “hunkered down in a crouched position,” and based on his training with the NCSP McGlynn knew what the situation was—his foot had become stuck in the rocky bottom of the rapids.

“Foot entrapments are a risk, and in that area it’s common because of the type of rock and how the water flows through it,” McGlynn said.

McGlynn was one of six NCSP members stationed at Skinners Falls that day, a group made up entirely of volunteers.

He was in his boat at the bottom of the rapids and once he assessed the situation, he pulled his boat out of the water and began making his way toward the victim, scaling the rocks and water that make up Skinners Falls.

Once he reached the victim, a crowd had formed; it was the busy July 4th weekend when the rocks of Skinners Falls are filled with people.

The first thing McGlynn did was crowd control—he didn’t want someone to become in need of saving while trying to help.

He threw a rope to the victim but it was not in the right position for him to be able to un-lodge his foot. He moved upriver—but then the rope was too short.

At this point, McGlynn had radio’d all of the other NCSP members stationed there, who are also in contact with the National Park Service, and more help was on the way.

“I went back to the original position and was able to utilize the crowd to assist,” McGlynn said. “I tied myself to my rescue vest and had the people standing on the rock hold on while I waded out. But the current was way too strong; there was no way I was able to get out to him.”

Other NCSP member Tom Candela was on the way up with another rope, while member Gerry Donati was on the Pennsylvania side of the river to attempt to reach the victim from that side. Two other members downstream acted as safeties getting ready to pull the victim out of the water.

Donati was able to talk to the victim and calm him down and maintain communication, making him aware that help was on the way.

Shortly after, Candela made his way to McGlynn and they linked the two ropes together and threw the lines to the victim, and again using the civilians, they pulled him free. However, the victim was exhausted and let go of the rope, moving downstream and into the arms of safety of the other members.

“The rescue had taken some time, I would guess the whole thing was about 30 minutes,” McGlynn said.

Candela made his way back down to provide aid to the victim, who had pain to his right ankle and left shoulder and was unable to stand. They splinted his ankle and put his shoulder into a sling, using their first aid kits.

“He was also physically exhausted and a little bit cold, but he was very thankful,” Candela said.

Another part to the story: the victim was with his family who were in two rafts, including his pregnant wife. Once McGlynn made his way to them, they told him they would name their child after him.

By that time, EMS personnel were on the way and were able to carry out the victim to an ambulance. After that, the NCSP members went back to their regular guard.

As the rescue was happening, member Andrea Alboretti-Coleman was at the top of the rapids directing traffic and holding traffic so they didn’t go down the rapids and run into the ropes.

The NCSP members pointed out that the victim was wearing a life jacket.

“The jacket really saved him, if he didn’t have it on who knows what would have happened,” Candela said. “And it was buckled correctly.”

A volunteer effort

Founded in 1979, the National Canoe Safety Patrol is dedicated to promoting water safety and responsible paddling on the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River. The volunteer group monitors the river, offering assistance to paddlers, tubers and boaters in need.

They also provide first aid, safety guidance and rescue support. They undergo rigorous training in swiftwater rescue, first aid, CPR, and boat handling skills.

During their yearly training in May, McGlynn learned about foot entrapment rescue from acclaimed rescue trainer Mike Mathers, and said it was because of him that he knew what to do in the Skinners Falls situation.

The NCSP members are largely from outside the area, coming from as far away as Philadelphia, Maryland and New Jersey. This is McGlynn’s second year on the NCSP, and he lives in East Stroudsburg, PA where he is training to be a nurse.

Before they go out on patrol, they meet at the Zane Grey river access in Lackawaxen, PA to coordinate with the National Park Service and figure out where they are needed that day.

Most of their days include telling people to put on life jackets and helping overturned boaters get back in their boats and retrieve their belongings. But sometimes more serious rescues, like the one at Skinners Falls, occur.

National Canoe Safety Patrol Commodore Robert Post credited McGlynn for using his skills to save the victim that day.

“That’s why we do it, it’s amazing the feeling you get after you’re able to help someone,” Post said. “Every season we have serious rescues like that, not dozens, but there’s going to be at least one or two.”

He added, “We’re all prepared to help in a way that can make a huge difference in someone’s life. Most of the time we’re putting people’s days back together. But sometimes we have people in a serious predicament, and because of our skills and because we’re there, we can change the trajectory.”

[The National Canoe Safety Patrol is always looking for new members to join. For more information, visit www.nationalcanoesafetypatrol.org.]