Abstract

A rescue device for rapidly moving water, including a net and a suspension mechanism to hold the net in a substantially vertical position in the water such that a victim being carried by the rapidly moving water may grasp or become entangled in the net. Preferably, the suspension mechanism includes weights attached to a lower portion of the net, as well as a horizontal support member disposed above the water to which the net is attached, with the support member being suspended between a support mechanism on opposite sides of the water. The horizontal support member is hollow and is disposed on a first rope extending between upper ends of vertical support posts. The first rope passes through swivels disposed in the upper ends of the vertical support posts and is attached to a ground attachment mechanism disposed at angles from the vertical support posts. Furthermore, there is a drawing mechanism to pull the substantially vertical net to a selected side of the water. It includes second and third ropes attached to ends of the horizontal support member and extends to both sides of the river to draw the support member (with the net attached thereto) along the first rope to a selected side of the river. Finally, the device includes an exposed adhesive disposed on an upstream surface of the net.