Throw Bag Basics: How to Toss, Catch and Restuff

The throw bag is a vital piece of safety equipment used to rescue a swimmer and, in some cases, to help unpin a boat. There should be a minimum of one per boat on any trip. Bags come in various shapes and sizes, but fall into two main categories: bags worn on the boater’s waist, and bulkier ones carried in the boat.

The bags are made of nylon or other synthetic material and contain some closed-cell foam to keep the empty bag afloat. Rope used in the bags is at least partially made of polypropylene, because it floats. The bright color of bags and rope make them easily visible to both the swimmer and the rescuer.

In this series, swiftwater rescue instructor Jim Coffey introduces techniques for how to properly use this important safety tool.

How to Toss a Throw Bag

When selecting a position to set up for using a throw bag to rescue swimmers, there are several things to consider. Make sure there’s no shoreside vegetation, debris, strainers, etc. that can interfere with the throw or put the rescued swimmer in danger. Take into account where the swimmer will be pivoted to shore. Ideally, it will be into calmer water with no entanglement obstacles.

Next, find a spot with good footing—you don’t want to be pulled into the water and become another swimmer!

Setting Up the Throw

Try to get the swimmer’s attention, with whistle blasts or shouts, before throwing the throw bag. Timing of the throw is important. It’s best to toss to the swimmer when they are upstream of you. This will give you time to get braced before the swimmer’s weight is on the rope.

Open the bag just enough to pull some rope out. Hold the free end securely and toss the bag to the swimmer, ideally so that it sails past the swimmer and the line falls across their chest. If you have their attention before you throw, they can move to the rope if you miss.

The swimmer should grab the line (not the bag), hold the line across their chest, and turn on their back so you can pendulum them into shore or pull them to the boat.

Different Styles

An underhand throw, or “softball pitch” style, is a natural, instinctive motion. You may get more distance with an overhand, “baseball pitch” toss. A sidearm throw may be necessary, depending on your position, obstructions, etc., but accuracy may suffer.

Practice tossing your throw bag ahead of time; don’t let an emergency catch you unprepared.

Dos and Don’ts

When using a throw bag to rescue a swimmer, do your best to make sure you’re not making the situation worse by your efforts.

• NEVER tie your end of the rope to yourself or any object.
• Always be prepared to release the rope if need be.
• For your protection, always wear your PFD when assisting in a rescue, should you get pulled into the water.
• Make sure to discuss proper rescue techniques before starting a trip.

Brace for the Current

Swift-moving water puts amazing pressure on a swimmer. When the rope becomes taut, the shock on you and the swimmer can pull the rope from your hands. Try to minimize that shock by slowing the swimmer’s progress more gradually by moving along the bank or letting out some line.

For a stronger grip than just holding the rope in your hands, borrow a climber’s technique: the “belay.” Pass the rope across your back, down low on the hips or higher across the shoulder. You can sit and brace your feet against rocks or the boat. Another rescuer can assist by grabbing your PFD and helping with the brace. You can also apply friction to the rope by wrapping or bending it around a tree, rock, etc. Again, do not tie the rope to yourself or an object.

When You Need to Do a Second Throw

Hopefully your first toss with the stuffed bag will reach the swimmer. However, if it misses, you won’t have time to restuff the rope into the bag. That’s when you need to have practiced a method of quickly coiling the rope without tangling it for a second throw.

One of the most effective ways of quickly coiling your throw rope is called the Thompson Rivers University (TRU) technique.

Take the rope end in your throwing hand, with the palm facing out, rope pinched between your thumb and palm. Wrap the rope under your arm, outside your elbow, and over your wrist in front of your forearm. Repeat the wrap as many times as necessary to get a figure-eight coil long enough to reach the swimmer. Slip the bottom of the coil off your elbow, shake out the rope and you’re ready for a tangle-free toss.

And speaking of staying tangle-free, it’s essential that you also have a sharp knife in case it becomes necessary to cut the rope to protect yourself or the swimmer.

How to Catch a Throw Bag

You probably like to think of yourself as the rescuer, but at some point you may find yourself being the one rescued. Hey, it happens. When that throw bag comes your way, you’ll want to do your part correctly. Otherwise, your buddies will be razzing the heck out of you at the end of the day!

Be on the Lookout

If the water is really rough, you may be getting chundered, but do your best to look for the person on shore setting safety. They’ll be looking for a sign that you’re able to catch the rope—a wave from you will help them make the call. When the throw bag comes sailing your way, grab the rope, not the bag. Grabbing the bag will allow more rope to spool out, lengthening your time in the water.

When you have the rope, turn on your back and transfer the rope to your in-river hand—the one farthest from shore. Let the rope rest on your shoulder and tuck your elbow next to your body. On your back, you’ll have a better chance to catch a breath as the water rushes past you. This position also puts your body in line with the water flow as you pendulum into shore.

Things to Avoid

Putting the rope on your shoulder closest to shore can cause your body to spin perpendicular to the flow, putting excess strain on you and the rescuer.

As you swing into shore, remember to NEVER attempt to stand unless the water is very shallow or quite calm. Standing in fast-moving, deep water can lead to foot entrapment, where the force of the water can push you down and hold your head underwater.

How to Restuff a Throw Bag

Knowing how to properly restuff your throw bag is important for ensuring you’re ready to make a rescue when needed on the river. It’s always good to periodically check the material, rope, and knots of your bag to ensure it’s in good shape.

To properly stow the rope in your throw bag, hold the bag open with your lower fingers, rope over your shoulder, and feed the rope into the bag with your thumbs and index fingers. It looks awkward, but with some practice the stuffing goes pretty quickly. This technique puts the coils one on top of the other, ensuring a smooth, tangle-free release. Leave the end loop of the rope outside the bag, cinch up the drawcord with the barrel lock and secure the top strap through the rope loop.

Other Considerations

Prolong the life of your rope by rinsing and drying it after each outing. When restuffing the bag, coil the rope directly into the bag. Coiling it first and then putting it into the bag can cause a tangle that prevents the rope from smoothly flowing out of the bag when tossed.

For those of us who often drive along fast-moving rivers, having a throw bag in your vehicle can be a lifesaver. People have been saved by a quick-thinking motorist who was able to toss them a line.

The Bottom Line

The bottom line is: always have a throw bag handy, and practice using it. Make sure your boating buddies have them too. The life that gets saved could be yours.

For on-the-water safety, nothing beats taking a swiftwater rescue class, where you get instruction and practice in rescue techniques. A number of organizations and companies provide training.