ADVANCED RESCUE CLINIC (Nine to twelve students and four instructors.) In and attempt to not spend the next couple of days writing, I am going to just list (in roughly the order done) the skills that are addressed during the advanced rescue clinic we do. I would be happy to go into further detail on any topics that are of interest to anyone. Morning (protected water): 1. Quick turning skills (mostly bow rudder work) in order to get to a rescue quickly. 2. After contacting victims boat, method for twisting/torquing boats into position for rescue. 3. Timed all-in self rescue in order to evaluate individual skills. 4. All-in rescue after describing teamwork techniques. 5. Lost hatch cover, swamped boat curl rescue. 6. Practice paddling with half of a paddle. Lunch Afternoon (4 knot current with eddylines and, hopfully, 2+ ft chop) 7. Self and assisted rescues on eddylines plus rescues in chop. 8. Anchored/towed rescue practice. Break 9. Swimmer rescue 10. For those who roll: dump paddle, roll over and strip one half of spare paddle from wherever it is stowed and roll up with half paddle. 11. Discusion on towing techniques and towing practice on way back to put-in. 12. For those who can roll: Fall over and strip off tow system and roll back up. 13. Other topics are discussed as they come up throughout the day. Each of these topics can be described in further detail if anyone is interested. John Winskill *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
> Each of these topics can be described in further detail if anyone is > interested. > John, Your clinics certainly seem comprehensive. More so even than the commercial outfits I've looked at in the past. Sounds like they would definately be worth making a long trip for. Clyde *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Clyde; There really is no reason to come here for one of these clinics. If you will look at the different subjects it is simply a matter of working on individual skills anytime you find yourself on the water with a wet or dry suit on. At the end of your next paddle, or during it for that matter, pick a topic and work on it. Here's and example: Next time you are doing a day paddle pre-arrange with a friend to remove your back hatch cover and hide it in yours or his boat. Next, lean on his boat and let your hatch fill with water. (You'll be surprised how long you can stay in your boat with either the front or back compartment filled. It's kind of like riding a bronco.) At this point you start hollering and get everyones attention. When they gather around you can demo a curl rescue (I can describe it if you are unfamiliar with the curl), or you can let them try to come up with a way to empty your boat (you'll see some pretty creative ideas). Once you are back in your boat you can now have a discussion on how you are going to keep water out of your hatch. Again, you'll see some creative thinking. When you're done you can discuss what you've learned. If the people you paddle with are like those I paddle with, they will, before the day is out, be wanting to try the curl themselves. Do some of these types of drills and next thing you know you'll be teaching the clinic yourself. Once again, if there is anything you or anyone wants me to elaborate on I'd be happy to do so. (I'm thinking I would rather explain it question by question or topic by topic rather than go into great detail about everything all at once.) John Winskill Sisler, Clyde wrote: > > > Each of these topics can be described in further detail if anyone is > > interested. > > > John, > > Your clinics certainly seem comprehensive. More so even than > the commercial outfits I've looked at in the past. Sounds like they > would definately be worth making a long trip for. > > Clyde > *************************************************************************** > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ > *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
> (you'll see some pretty creative ideas). Once you are back in your > boat > you can now have a discussion on how you are going to keep water out > of > Any thoughts on how to pump water out of the cockpit in rough seas by yourself? I finally got to see the end of the Eco-Challenge with the Seals swamped out and waves breaking over the boat which brought the problem back to mind. I have one of those grey and red pumps (I dis-remember the brand) and don't think it's long enough to fit down through the waist of my spray skirt and operate it with the spray skirt attached. > like those I paddle with, they will, before the day is out, be wanting > to try the curl themselves. > I'm not familiar withthe curl off hand. I do have a couple of books I have to go back over again. > by question or topic by topic rather than go into great detail about > everything all at once.) > Why not? You'd then have the basis for a book, make lots of money and be able to spend the rest of your life kayaking :-). *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Sisler, Clyde wrote: > > > (you'll see some pretty creative ideas). Once you are back in your > > boat > > you can now have a discussion on how you are going to keep water out > > of > > > Any thoughts on how to pump water out of the cockpit in rough > seas by yourself? I finally got to see the end of the Eco-Challenge > with the Seals swamped out and waves breaking over the boat which > brought the problem back to mind. I think it would have been tough pumping it out. Doubles are a bitch to empty. Besides, something about the way the boat looked suggested that there was water in one of the compartments as well, possibly a hatch not closed correctly. The only way of dumping the water out fast would have been running the swamped boat hull up over the boat that was okay. The victim crew did have enough sense to get up on top of the sinking craft in order to minimize their cold water exposure. I am puzzled. The SEAL guys seemed to have a good snappy correct paddling stroke but seemed clueless on an emptying technique. Some SEAL teams get exposed to extensive SAS/SBS training with the Brits. It is an individual commander decision. But the Brits use Klepper folding doubles pretty exclusively, which are extremely hard to tip. And so they may not have experienced capsizes much although one would think they would practice such. I also didn't think the woman had any sense of how to paddle. She was handling her paddle the way you see canoeists sometimes handle one. They treat the double blade paddle like a very long canoe paddle reaching to each side with the blade and holding the shaft quite vertical. In wind and choppy seas, she would have thrown the boat off balance with each stroke and exposed them to getting pushed over by a gust catching her upper blade. > I have one of those grey and red pumps (I dis-remember the > brand) and don't think it's long enough to fit down through the waist of > my spray skirt and operate it with the spray skirt attached. The normal grey/red one will reach into most of the bilge water in a boat. I notice that Feathercraft sells a shorty; I don't think it would work well for that purpose. > > > like those I paddle with, they will, before the day is out, be wanting > > to try the curl themselves. > > > I'm not familiar withthe curl off hand. I do have a couple of > books I have to go back over again. I am not certain what is being referred to either by that term. > > > by question or topic by topic rather than go into great detail about > > everything all at once.) > > > Why not? You'd then have the basis for a book, make lots of > money and be able to spend the rest of your life kayaking :-). Believe me. Kayak paddling books won't make anyone rich :-) But you don't have to be rich to spend the rest of your life paddling. It is okay to do it poor. ralph -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
> Any thoughts on how to pump water out of the cockpit in rough > seas by yourself? I finally got to see the end of the Eco-Challenge > with the Seals swamped out and waves breaking over the boat which > brought the problem back to mind. Cheater way: electrically powered bilge pump with float trip switch. Possible with careful insulation I think. More practical way, have lots of sealed floatation bags or foam, and stuff the handpump between your skirt's waistband and your stomach. They also supposedly make foot driven pumps, but I've never found one for sale. > I have one of those grey and red pumps (I dis-remember the > brand) and don't think it's long enough to fit down through the waist of > my spray skirt and operate it with the spray skirt attached. Push the waistband down some. You aren't trying to get dry, you are trying to get 80% of the water out so that you can recover some secondary stability. Dowd's kayaking book also suggests the possibility of having a skirt with a zipper in it, when you don't mind having wet pants but want to be able to pump easily with the skirt on... *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
The great advantage of having a foot pump is that you can paddle and brace while, at the same time emptying your boat. I have had foot pumps in my boats for years. I started putting them in my boats after doing some self-rescue exercises in rough water and discovering how difficult it is to empty your boat in real (rough) conditions. I own a couple of electric pumps that were designed for kayaks but, with the foot pumps, never felt inclined to install them. Knowing my own foibles I don't trust myself to keep them charged and always ready to go. The "Curl Rescue" is a rescue that is designed to help empty a boat that has so much water in it that it is simply too heavy to lift (as in a swamped boat). The victim reaches over the deck of the rescuer and grabs the far side of the cockpit rim of his/her own boat. Next, like curling a barbell, begin to lift and lean back, pivoting on your elbows. As the water begins to flow out of the boat it will lighten and eventually the victim will be able to empty it enough to get back in. It's the only way I know of to empty a swamped (lost hatch cover, blown bow or stern bag etc.) that I know of. If the kayak is floating vertically it may be necessary for the victim, while holding on with one hand to the rescuers boat, to reach under water to grab the swamped boats cockpit rim in order to get the boat into position for the rescue. John Winskill >Any thoughts on how to pump water out of the cockpit in rough >seas by yourself? I finally got to see the end of the Eco-Challenge >with the Seals swamped out and waves breaking over the boat which >brought the problem back to mind. > I have one of those grey and red pumps (I dis-remember the >brand) and don't think it's long enough to fit down through the waist >>of >my spray skirt and operate it with the spray skirt attached. >> like those I paddle with, they will, before the day is out, be >>wanting >> to try the curl themselves. >> > I'm not familiar withthe curl off hand. I do have a couple of >books I have to go back over again. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Ralph wrote; (SNIP) >I think it would have been tough pumping it out. Doubles are a bitch to >empty. I think Ralph is dead on here and I have become a strong advocate of the sea sock and a multitude of watertight bags for gear to minimise water in the boat after a capsize. For a good discussion rescues etc. visit Peter Carter's web site http://www.peg.apc.org/~pcarter/ 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 Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
> > Any thoughts on how to pump water out of the cockpit in rough > > seas by yourself? I finally got to see the end of the > Eco-Challenge > > with the Seals swamped out and waves breaking over the boat which > > brought the problem back to mind. > > Cheater way: electrically powered bilge pump with float > trip switch. Possible with careful insulation I think. > Up to your belly button with sea water and electrical components floating down around your crotch area? That sounds exciting. :-) > More practical way, have lots of sealed floatation bags > or foam, and stuff the handpump between your skirt's > waistband and your stomach. > Floatation makes sense (to me) in the hatches but there really isn't all that much room in the (my)cockpit for floation and leg room both. Maybe room in front of the rudder pedals for a small dry bag. But you'll still have water you need to get rid of regain stability. > They also supposedly make foot driven pumps, but I've > never found one for sale. > I took a quick tumb through a couple of ww/touring catalogs and didn't see a foot operated bilge pump either. Anyone know where one can be had? I did see one hand operated model that has 18" to 36" hoses attached but they still require hands. > Push the waistband down some. You aren't trying to get dry, > you are trying to get 80% of the water out so that you can > recover some secondary stability. > True, but the conditions that dumped me in the first place are probably still there, making a foot pump a more reasonable option so I still have my hands free for braces, etc. > Dowd's kayaking book also suggests the possibility of having > a skirt with a zipper in it, when you don't mind having wet > pants but want to be able to pump easily with the skirt on... > Cool! That would make it much easier to whiz, too. :-) *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
> > > They also supposedly make foot driven pumps, but I've > > never found one for sale. > > You can order one from Riptides and Rapids (650) 961-1240. - Julio *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
> > Cheater way: electrically powered bilge pump with float > > trip switch. Possible with careful insulation I think. > > > up to your belly button with sea water and electrical components > floating down around your crotch area? That sounds exciting. :-) Like I said, this is an "I think". I know I can properly insulte the battery and fuse it for safety, I do it with a GPS and cell phone right now. What I *don't* know is how good the insulation is on one of the submersible bilge pumps. With the fuse, and probably a little emergency cut off above deck just in case it stings me, I may give it a try later this year. 2amps below the waste won't kill you, but it'd certainly sting, I'll tell you what! *************************************************************************** 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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