> 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? *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
On 30 Mar 98, Sisler, Clyde wrote: > <SNIP> > 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. [The follwing thoughts are "from the hip" with no basis in practical experience... and are potententially "all wet". (sorry for the weak pun, but I couldn't resist)] Getting the Torso out of the water is a good idea, especially in these northern waters. Hypothermia can set in very quickly, as you are aware. But I am trying to think of a situation where you could get your body on the deck, and not be able (or want) to get your but back into the cockpit. Even if the cockpit is partially filled with water I would think that you would still be better off in the seat then on the deck. > 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. Due to the log-like nature of a kayak, I'm not sure I would TIE myself to the deck of one. I can't argue with your desire to stay out of the wet, but should the "dry side" decide to become the "wet side" due to some lump of flesh (me) throwing off the center of gravity, I wouldn't want to be married to my position on the hull. > 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. I guess this goes back to my original premis, I am having trouble imagining a situation where I could be on the deck, and not be able to get into the cockpit. I have never tried to paddle a kayak in the manner that you describe, but I assume it to be possible - I have had the "opportunity" to paddle a boat with a cockpit full of water in semi-rough seas, and while it is nothing like an empty cockpit it is highly "do-able". What says the group? Gregg Bolton gsb_at_ime.net http://w3.ime.net/~gsb *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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