The position
On your back, feet downstream, toes at the surface, arms out. This is the defensive swimming position and it is the entire thing.
- On your back so the vest holds you face up and you can breathe
- Feet downstream so you hit rocks with your legs rather than your head
- Toes up at the surface so your feet do not catch on the bottom
- Arms out for balance and to be visible
The first three seconds
You will go under. The vest brings you back up quickly — it is built to do that without your help. The Tara is cold even in summer, and cold water can make you gasp involuntarily; that is the cold shock reflex and it passes.
Then get into the position and look for the boat. Somebody will already be shouting at you.
How you get out
| Method | When |
|---|---|
| Grab the safety line on the boat | If you are next to it — the rope round the outside is there for this |
| Pulled in by the shoulder straps | The skipper grabs the vest and hauls. It is not dignified. |
| Throw bag | A rope in a bag thrown to you. Grab the rope, not the bag. On your back, rope over your shoulder. |
| Safety kayak | Grab the loop on the bow and hold on. The kayaker ferries you to the boat or the bank. |
| Swim to the bank | Only when told to, and only across the current rather than against it |
On the calmer summer runs a swimmer is usually back at the boat quickly — the pools below most rapids give the crew room to reach you.
Things not to do
- Do not stand up in moving water above knee depth
- Do not swim against the current — you will not win and you will exhaust yourself
- Do not hold onto the paddle if it is between you and the boat. Let it go; they float and they get collected.
- Do not panic about the cold. The gasp is a reflex, not drowning.
- Do not take the vest off, ever, for any reason
If the boat flips
It is less likely on the lower Tara at summer levels than on high water in spring. The rule is the same, with one addition: get clear of the boat first. Push away, surface, then take the defensive position.
Everybody counts everybody. That is the skipper's job and it starts before you are back in.
The honest risk
The Brštanovica – Šćepan Polje section at summer levels is the gentler, more popular stretch and is widely run by first-timers and families. Falling out there is usually a story rather than an incident.
High water in spring is a different river. If an operator offers you a long run at high water and does not ask about your experience, that is worth noticing.