5.10 Water Tennies Review

5.10 Water Tennie

Over my 17 years of playing and teaching in rivers I have had the opportunity to try many different water shoes and sandals.  So far I have to say the best high - top water shoe I have ever used is the 5.10 Water Tennie.  I have been wearing the Water Tennie for 2 years and it has seen 100+ days on the water per year.

What makes the Water Tennie so great?

1.      Comfort – spending 5 days a week in and out of the water while teaching swiftwater courses you need a comfortable shoe.

2.      Secureness – using laces, you can really crank down keeping the shoes on tight.  

3.      Easily drains – with drain ports on the sides of the shoes and synthetic mesh on top, the Water Tennie kicks most the water out quickly.

4.      Protection – As a high- top, it does give some ankle support and it has a rubber toecap to protect your toes.

5.      Last but not least GRIP – A necessity while being in the water, this shoe grips some of the slickest surfaces you will confront.  5.10 uses a composite rubber called AquaStealth which makes you grip the bottom of the river like Spiderman climbing a building.

Are there any draw backs to the Water Tennies?

Laces on water shoes can always pose a threat to snagging on something along the river bottom.  5.10 have hidden most the lacing using sewn in webbing to minimize the chance of them getting snagged.  If you want to minimize the chances even more, change out the laces with accessory (small diameter) bungee cord and a cord lock. 

I did have some separation between the fabric and the rubber on the shoes with my first pair.  I sent them back to 5.10 and they were easily replaced.  My new shoes have not seen any separation so far.   

Colors

Grey and Black or Grey and Black with Green trim

Price

Online $89.95 to $119.95.  I know we sell them at the USNWC for $110.

5.10s have been worn by whitewater paddlers for many years so they are well tested for their environment.  The Water Tennie by a far margin out performs any other water boot being used by Swiftwater Rescue Teams across the world.  Top military special operation teams have also found their capabilities very useful in many of the water environments they work in.  You want to invest in the right gear and I believe footwear should be an important investment for your team.

Check out 5.10’s SAR water boot as well on their website.          

The Mighty Vector Pull

The Mighty Vector Pull

The Vector Pull is an additional mechanical advantage you could add to an existing line for many applications.  The vector pull can be created by a hand over hand motion on the haul line, a carabiner attached to an additional throw line, or long piece of webbing which, will then be attached to the haul line of the swimmer or rescuer [reference picture above].     

Why use the Vector Pull?  

·         Increases your pulling power

·         Can reduce the distance downstream of bringing someone to shore

Where would I use the Vector Pull?

·         To assist in retrieving a swimmer holding a throw line

·         To assist in retrieving a tethered rescue swimmer and victim after the rescuer has made contact  

·         During a pendulum with a person(s) or boat

·         Unpinning a boat off an obstruction

What is the set up? Here are a couple of examples. 

Throw Bag assist –

·         Personnel - 2 to 3 team members…possibly set up as downstream safety.

o   Rescuer A – Thrower/Belayer, Rescuer B – Anchor or additional thrower, and Rescue C – Vector Man

·         Once victim receives throw line from Rescue A, Rescuer C clips in vector line close to Rescuer A, starts walking downstream while panning out rope. 

·         The objective is to get the vector line closer to the swimmer to reduce pull on Rescuer A.

·         Once vector line is closer to the swimmer it can be tensioned while still moving downstream which will bring the swimmer to shore.

·         The speed of the vector pull needs to be at a higher pace walk…don’t run! 

Tethered Rescue assist –

·         Personnel – 2 to 3 team members…set up as downstream safety.

o   Rescuer A – Tethered Rescue Swimmer, Rescuer B – Belayer, and Rescuer C – Vector Man 

·         Once the victim is contacted by Rescue A, Rescue C can clip-in and start walking downstream while panning out rope.

·         The objective is to get the vector line closer to the swimmer to reduce pull on Rescuer A.

·         Once vector line is closer to the swimmer the vector line can be tensioned while still moving downstream which will bring the rescuer and swimmer to shore.

·         The speed of the vector pull needs to be at a higher pace walk…don’t run!    

 

Are there limitations to the use of the Vector Pull? 

·         Yes, you will need room on shore to move down stream.

Okay, now it is time to go practice the Vector Pull.  Here are a few reminders!

·         DO NOT clip the vector pull to the haul line until the swimmer is holding the line or rescuer has made contact with the victim.

·         If you are the Vector Man make sure to have the gate of your carabiner already open for an easy connection and you are standing on the downstream side of the thrower/belayer. 

Aaron Peeler

USNWC Swiftwater Rescue Program/Outdoor School Director

Owner/Operator of H2O Rescue Gear 

ACA L:5 Swiftwater Rescue Instructor Trainer

ACA L:4 Rafting Instructor Trainer
ACA Safety & Rescue Committee Member
ACA Raft Instruction Committee Member

www.H2ORESCUEGEAR.com