CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 2 SEAN JACOBSMEIER
Joint Force Headquarters
Iowa Army National Guard
Johnston, Iowa

We were inexperienced with whitewater kayaking, having learned only on flat water. To mitigate risks, we considered potential hazards and bought safety gear. A week before the trip, we packed smart, checked river conditions and weather, and stowed our gear, including a rescue throw rope. We had never used one before, but buying it seemed like a wise decision.

The first day was uneventful. The initial stretch of the journey had calm water, giving us no cause for alarm. On the second day, our guide briefed us on the rough water ahead. Shortly after, we were paddling through Class II rapids. My wife and I handled them better than we expected. Perhaps we did not need all the rescue equipment we had packed. Then, suddenly, someone in the group behind us started yelling for help. An older kayaker had flipped and was struggling against the current as she drifted downstream.

I immediately beached my kayak and spotted her kayak floating down the river alone. Wanting to help, I grabbed the rescue throw rope, but I threw it too soon, and the river carried it away before she could reach it. With my only planned rescue method gone, I had to reassess. Without even realizing it, I performed real-time, or dynamic, risk management. I weighed my options and waded into the river, uncertain of its depth, until I reached her. We worked our way back to shore while others in our group gathered her kayak and gear.

Looking back, we had done a decent job following the Army’s five-step risk management process, even without consciously thinking about it. We identified hazards, assessed risks, prepared for potential problems and had emergency gear. However, we lacked the knowledge to implement our controls effectively. Fortunately, everything worked out without injury, but my actions unintentionally placed me in a risky position when I entered the water to rescue the kayaker. It is easy to assume that having the right equipment means you are prepared, but gear without proficiency is a dangerous illusion. Ineffective use of a tool does not just fail to solve the problem; it can introduce entirely new hazards.

Lessons Learned

Risk management is not just about checking boxes or carrying the right gear; it is about ensuring we have the skills to use our equipment effectively when the moment calls. First, having the right equipment does not equal safety if you lack the knowledge to use it properly. Carrying a rescue tool like a throw rope without prior practice can lead to failure during a crisis, forcing you to rely on secondary, higher-risk options. Second, real-time risk management requires constant reassessment when your initial controls fail. Entering a hazard area, such as wading into an unverified river current to perform a rescue, can save a teammate but place you in an unnecessarily dangerous position.

Preparation is more than packing wisely; it is the confidence that comes from training, experience and execution. Whether on the river or in everyday life, the difference between success and struggle ultimately comes down to knowing how to apply what we have prepared for.