RE: [Paddlewise] Climbing on back deck

> While in the water, grab the deck lines on your rear deck and extend
> your arms out and lower your head so that you can float your legs to
> the
> surface.  From this position time your kick and upper body to lurch
> onto
> the back deck.  The tendency is for people to get up close to the boat
> 
	I was wondering what I'd do if, while paddling alone, I
capsized, was unable to roll back up or couldn't get back in using a
paddle float or other method because of weather or physical conditions.

	I think I would crawl only part way up the back deck, mainly to
get my torso out of cold water.  I think I would have more stability
with my legs partially in the water and the bow tilted up in the air
somewhat than if I were to crawl up as far as I might.

	I would then tie myself onto the deck in some manner, probably
cutting the deck lines on the forward deck, wrapping them around the
cockpit coaming and myself in case I were to lose consciousness or
control due to hypothermia.

	Then I guess I would try to paddle the kayak like surfboard from
this position.  The paddling would help ward off hypothermia and unless
I was being swept out to sea, should not (normally) have much more than
a mile or so to paddle.

	Any other thoughts on this unfortunate subject?

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