Arrowsmith Search and Rescue's Nick Rivers holds onto a man as the pair are lifted by rope to safety on Saturday, Dec 12. (Michael Clarke)

By Ian Holmes

Life saved

VIDEO: Heroic Arrowsmith SAR response saves man from rushing Little Qualicum Falls

Dec 14, 2020 | 5:23 AM

QUALICUM BEACH — A swift and brave response from Arrowsmith SAR likely saved the life of a man stranded below the upper waterfall at Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park.

A call for help came in Saturday, Dec 12 just after 3 p.m. where Arrowsmith SAR vice president Nick Rivers said they arrived to find a man straddling precariously on a log just 15 feet from the next waterfall.

The dramatic rescue was captured on video.

Rivers threw on a life jacket with rope attached and was lowered to the turbulent and frigid water pool. He struggled to the log by using a second strategy of swimming against the powerful current.

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Once Rivers arrived at the log he said the man suddenly lost his grip, likely due to hypothermia from the freezing water.

“He entered the water and was headed for the next waterfall, so I jumped after him,” Rivers said. “I was able to grab a hold of him. I just physically held onto him with everything that I had. The force of that water is absolutely incredible.”

Rivers said his head was pulled under water on a few occasions making it “very challenging” to hang onto the subject.

“But I knew I couldn’t let go of him, I was the only thing stopping him from being washed down stream.”

Rivers’ colleagues above angled their rope hauling system to the side of the raging current to avoid the worst of the water’s force.

Rivers was hooked into a rope harness, maintaining his hold on the frantic man as the duo was pulled to safety.

The subject, believed to be in his 30’s, was then taken away by ambulance. His condition is unknown.

Rivers was completely exhausted.

“I couldn’t stand up anymore,” he said of energy-draining ordeal.

He was treated for minor cuts, scrapes and bruises.

While reflecting on the rescue with NanaimoNewsNOW Sunday night, Rivers said relying on your hand-strength to save somebody’s life a stressful position to be in.

“I honestly don’t know where I got the strength to do that from, but pretty incredible. I think someone was looking out for us, stars aligned and we made it happen.”

It’s unclear how the man entered the river, which Rivers said is an 85 foot drop. He said the man was regularly dressed and clearly didn’t plan to go into the water.

The section of falls where the man entered is surrounded by a chain-linked safety fence.

Rivers said it was a risky operation, which he conceded was almost too dangerous to do.

He said it was an emotionally charged rescue.

“I spent quite a bit of time thinking, talking and sharing with other members of the organization that were there…checking on them and in turn it also checks in on yourself.”

Numerous area fire departments assisted Arrowsmith SAR during the incident.

ian@nanaimonewsnowcom

On Twitter: @reporterholmes