Greg wrote; > > A clever technique that I have only experimented with during safety > clinics > > is to fit *each* end of the victims paddle with an inflated paddlefloat. > > This gives a tremendous amount of support for even very weak attempts at > > bracing. A successful use of this method was published in a SK magazine > > accident report four or more years ago. Depending on the circumstances, > an > > incapacitated paddler may very well be able to stay upright with this > > method during a tow without having to raft up with another kayak. After having bad luck with our paddle float rescue tests I called Matt Brose who sent me his rigging instructions. Once rigged in his suggested manner we had much better luck so my first feelings that paddle floats were not so good had to be modified. We had rigged ours poorly. We also tried the paddle float outrigger idea that Greg suggests and it seemed viable although we did not have rough enough conditions to see what would happen in really big waves. Hannes Lindeman used a paddle outrigger with an inner tube on the end and seemed to feel that the outrigger contributed to his two capsizes. I can think of some advantages to the paddle float outrigger concept. It provides options in one device (paddle float rescue, fixed outrigger, improved bracing as paddle augmentation, and as a roll assist. This has a lot of merit to my mind since one device is doing multiple duty. George's comments about towing are good. The reverse of this (one boat towing many boats) is the method used by yacht clubs to tow small sailboats. Whether they are towed in after a storm or just no wind this method (each boat tying on to a single tow rope) reduces the strain on the boats and eliminates the inevitable banging together that happens with a fan tow. They use tow ropes with lops spliced into them for the purpose. It also reduces the strain on the first boat. I once saw a bow fitting ripped out of the first boat in a multiple boat tow when they were tied end to end. The method used for tying on was a slip knot that could be quickly popped loose if a boat capsized or otherwise came to grief. One doesn't want to be fumbling about untying knots in an emergency. In a kayak a line around the waist with a slip knot is simple, cheap and doesn't cause the boat to be jerked around. Probably more sophisticated ways but I am such a cheap beggar. Cheers John Winters Redwing Designs Specialists in Human Powered Watercraft http://home.ican.net/~735769/ *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net ***************************************************************************Received on Fri Jan 30 1998 - 05:50:01 PST
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