Re: [Paddlewise] Incapacitated partner "Push Tow"

Clyde;
The truth is that if you have an unconscious person with you (and there
are just two of you) you are not going to paddle well.  You will be
lucky to keep them alive while just sitting there.  Unfortunately, to
pass out in a kayak while by yourself or with just one other person is
very close to a death sentence.  Carry a radio.
John Winskill  

Sisler, Clyde wrote:
> 
>         Draping the victim across both boats would add a lot of
> stability to the situation, assuming less than calm seas, but how are
> you going to paddle across the other boat?  At best, that would have to
> be very awkward and tiring.
> 
> > If the victim is unconscious and you are by yourself you will have
> > your
> > hands full simply keeping them upright, never mind towing them.  The
> > idea of setting up bilateral pontoons and lashing the victim in an
> > upright position is creative but I suspect it might be impossible on
> > the
> > water under anything other than ideal (and maybe not even then)
> > conditions.  It would be more beneficial to put them into their boat
> > and
> > then drape them over your front deck so that you can keep an eye on
> > them
> > and then signal for help.  (Good time to have a radio.)
> > Another method for getting them out of the water, other than stuffing
> > them back into their boat, is to pull them up across theirs and your
> > boat.  Place the victim's boat between you and the vectim and, with
> > the
> > victim facing away from you, grab them by their PFD and pull/roll
> > them,
> > on their back, up over their boat and onto your front deck.  The
> > advantage of this rescue is that they are now draped over your two
> > boats
> > and the victim is on his/her back right in front of you.  Nigel Foster
> > tells a good story about how he once was paddling with a paraplegic
> > who
> > had a heart attack.  He used this rescue and was able to bring the
> > fellow in through the surf.  He lived to paddle again.
> > If the victim is conscious but injured it may be possible to do a
> > "push
> > tow" if you are the only other person available.  Have the victim face
> > towards you in their boat.  Next have them hook the bow toggle of your
> > boat under/around their deck bungies.  You then hook the bow toggle of
> > their boat under/around your deck bungies (those just in front of your
> > cockpit).  Now have them lean over and support themselves on the deck
> > of
> > your boat.  If the water is not too rough it is possible to paddle
> > forward in this position in a reasonably normal manner and  still make
> > good time.
> >
> > John Winskill
> >
> >
> > Sisler, Clyde wrote:
> >
> > >         Make the paddle & floats into an outrigger type thingee.
> > That
> > > should help a great deal.  However, I suspect an unconscious person
> > is
> > > going to flop over to left or right side.  The outrigger would
> > probably
> > > keep the boat from capsizing again but the person's head and
> > shoulders
> > > are probably going to flop into the water.  I wonder if tying a line
> > > from the PFD shoulder to the paddle on each side would help.  If
> > they
> > > flop one way, the line on the opposite side might hold them back
> > kinda
> > > upright.
> > >
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