[Paddlewise] Rescue Clinics

I douubt that I have much to offer many of you in terms of ideas for the
cold water rescue clinics but I'll go ahead wih an explanation of what
we do.
Beginning Cold-Water Rescue Clinic
The students have spent one evening in the pool working on a "standard"
paddlefloat rescue (paddle attachment system to back deck, scoot chest
onto back deck starting from in front of the paddle etc, etc.).  They
also work on an assisted rescue (a "T" rescue) where they learn to climb
onto the back deck of their boat as the two boats are held together by
the rescuer.  The boat emptying manuever they learn in the pool is the
one where the victim goes to the stern of their own boat and, with the
boat in the inverted position, use thier own weight to help the rescuer
lift the bow by weighing down the stern.

With this introduction to rescues they next go on a "Wet Paddle".  The
wet paddle is so named because, in addition to a four mile paddle, they
must get wet in cold-water rescue exercises.
The maximum number of students is 12 on a wet paddle and the intructor
to student ratio is 1:3 with myself acting as an additional rover.
The paddle involves a simple 2 mile paddle up a beach with some mild
currents thrown in and then a return down the same beach to a sandspit
where we break to have lunch.  At the half-way point a pair of
instuctors demo a "between-the-boat" rescue and the offer is made to let
students try it also (they nearly always refuse).  At the end of lunch I
divide the group up and assign instructors.
  The group is broken up into groups of 3 with 1 instructor per group
(and, again, me as the rover).  Next they are given their assignments: 
Two paddlefloat self rescues, after one of which they have to empty
their boat themselves, and after the other they must paddle their boat
full of water to the shore from where they are (fifty yards);  and one
assisted rescue of any type.  The purpose of the instructors is to
observe and to assist only if necessary.
Self rescues are first and one member from each group is instructed to
go first without any further instruction.  [This is my own little
sadistic idea.  What I have found is that this first group has a very
difficult time.  It helps make a point and I have found that people are
much more attentive from then on.]
At his point I demo a paddlefloat rescue describing throughout it the
points that will make it easiest and most effective.  I also do this
demo without using a paddle attachment system but simply hold the paddle
up against the coaming with my hand and scoot onto the back deck from
behind the paddle (which I, personally, think is easier).  At this point
the remaining group members each do a rescue.  Once everyone has done at
least one rescue I do a bit more demonstrating.  First I do a roll, and
talk about how nice it is not to have to empty my boat.  Next I do a
re-enter and roll.  It takes about 15 seconds from the time I touch the
water to climb out of my boat and get back in and roll up.  Part of this
exercise is me emptying my boat with my foot pump as I paddle about and
talk.  The point is not to show off but to make a very specific point
about levels of reaction to a capsize.  Next I almost invariably give a
little demo about how to float your body to the surface, while keeping
your head down so that it is easy to scoot up onto the back deck since,
at least some at this point have had some trouble getting onto their
decks.  The students now each do another paddlefloat rescue and we move
onto the assisted rescue.
A member from each group does an assisted rescue and then I do another
demo.  The demo, this time, is of the rescuer instructing the victim to
not help with the rescue but to hold onto my bow toggle while I demo how
to empty a boat using a "T" rescue where the victims boat is, while
still upright, pulled up over my deck in front of me before it is simply
rolled over slowly as it empties.  Part of this demo also shows them the
easiest way to get yourself into position for a rescue while holding
onto the victims boat.  The remainder of the group is then turned loose
to do whatever type of assisted rescue they want.
What I have found, almost without exception, is that the students will
voluntarily do a number of additional rescues, both self and assisted,
before the day is out.
Granted, there are a number of issues still not covered by the end of
this beginning rescue session but, I feel as though the students now
have some feel for some of the difficulties of doing a rescue in cold
water, and they have had opportunity to develop a working and usable
couple of rescues.
I'll try in the next few days to go into how we structure the advanced
rescue clinic - if people are still interested.
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