This is the first article in a three-part series about how to recover our mental edge after a scary swiftwater incident - the repercussions of which are referred to in the wilderness first responder community as “stress injury”.
This Is Packrafting


I was shaking like a leaf. I raised my hand in front of my face and tried to hold it level, but the shaking only increased. With the rapid roaring in the background, I looked around at my friends on the river bank, securing spray skirts and reattaching throw bags. No one else seemed to be affected... Read more in the second article in a three-part series about how to recover our “mental” edge after a scary swiftwater incident.

Back on the Water - Part Three
As I approached my boat after completing a scout of the class III rapid, I did a quick assessment of my current mental state. I was dysregulated and feeling quite anxious. In fact, my rational brain knew that the level of fear and anxiety I felt far outmatched the current situation ... Read more in the second article in a three-part series about how to recover our “mental” edge after a scary swiftwater incident.