Re: [Paddlewise] wet exit? why?

On 07/09/98 10:39:52 you wrote:

Julio's comments are very good and there's been several thoughtful replies 
but there's one additional reason for staying in the kayak I haven't seen.  
In one trouble report I read, two experienced kayakers (see Sea Kayaker book 
on this) went out in very challenging conditions, encountered cross-waves 
from another inlet, one capsized and his kayak was blown away faster than he 
could swim towards it.  The other kayaker had to choose between going after 
the kayaker in the water or going after the kayak, possible losing sight of 
his friend.

He went after his friend, the friend hopped on the stern of the kayak but 
they were unable for a long time to head towards land because of the wind 
effect on the unbalanced kayak, eventually they got lucky and made it to 
shore.

Ever since reading that story, I've been conscious of the dangers of losing 
a kayak and have been using a paddle leash shortened to about 18" to prevent 
it winding around me.  If I was unexpectedly capsized, fell out, and lost 
control of boat and paddle, my hope is that the paddle floating in the water 
would serve as a useful drag on the boat until I could reach it.  (I have 
practiced paddle float rescues many times, have done a few rolls in a class, 
listen to weather reports, and rely on my own decisions on paddling 
conditions so they relate to my abilities)

So the question for others in this impressive group:  What precautions do 
you take against losing the kayak itself in a windy capsize?    
(obviously for a white water kayaker, swimming to an adjacent river shore is 
a way out, a sea kayaker does not have this luxury)

Phil Baumgaertner,
Bremerton, WA


>I recently read an article by John Heath that explains how lethal
>it is for the Inuit people to get out of their kayaks (wet exit), and
>how ironic it is that the first thing that it is tought to sea kayaking
>beginners is the wet exit. The same article has some statistics that
>show that in almost all fatalities the kayaker is found (if found) out
>of the kayak.
>
>There are two ways to remain in the kayak after a capsize without
>rolling. 
>
>The first on is to grab an inflated or solid paddlefloat that
>one carries in the aft deck and put it behind your neck; that keeps
>your head comfortably out of the water while inside the kayak.
>
>The second method is to use a dog swimming stroke to take a breath
>every two strokes. This second method is the same one used to 
>retrieve a paddle that has fallen away from the kayak. It takes
>about four sessions of practice to learn how to swim that way without
>getting exhausted and conserving energy.
>
>Neither of the two skills explained above is tought at any sea kayaking
>class around here, beginning or advanced.
>
>I suggest that those of you who are serious about sea kayaking start
>practicing those two skills to the point where you can wait for rescue 
several
>minutes until you get bored.
>
>Another skill I suggest that serious paddlers should practice is to
>roll with a float (an inflated or solid paddlefloat are good), and make
>that roll your 100% bomb proof roll. Not only that would allow you
>to say good bye to wet exits, but would make it much easier for you
>to learn the paddle rolls, also known as eskimo rolls.
>
>- Julio


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