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 *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
At 10:39 AM 7/9/98 -0700, Julio MacWilliams wrote: >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. > >- Julio The reason it was lethal was they had no dry suits, wet suits and would die from hypothermia(can't build a fire on a iceberg with out wood) Dana *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
I think there was another reason they didn't wet exit. This sounds silly, but I don't think they knew how to swim. Remember that these were freezing waters much of the year. Why and how would they learn to swim? Feel free to correct my history if I am wrong! - Scott dldecker_at_mediaone.net wrote: > > At 10:39 AM 7/9/98 -0700, Julio MacWilliams wrote: > >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. > > > >- Julio > > The reason it was lethal was they had no dry suits, wet suits and would > die from hypothermia(can't build a fire on a iceberg with out wood) > > Dana > *************************************************************************** > 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/ ***************************************************************************
>> >> At 10:39 AM 7/9/98 -0700, Julio MacWilliams wrote: >> >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. >> > >> >- Julio >> >> The reason it was lethal was they had no dry suits, wet suits and would >> die from hypothermia(can't build a fire on a iceberg with out wood) >> >> Dana >> ************************************************************************** At 01:57 PM 7/10/98 -0400, Scott Ives wrote: >I think there was another reason they didn't wet exit. This sounds >silly, but I don't think they knew how to swim. Remember that these >were freezing waters much of the year. Why and how would they learn to >swim? Feel free to correct my history if I am wrong! > > > - Scott > If it is not so I think it ought to be cause I had not even thought of that. So as far as I am concerned its History Dana *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
At 10:39 AM 7/9/98 -0700, you wrote: >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. > There's a substantially different demographic and cultural paradigm in effect in Inuit paddling populations as compared to the typical middle-aged suburban recreational kayaker. Added to the simple fact that Inuit paddlers spend their lives hunting from the kayak, and that they begin kayaking as strong, young hunters who bring an entire socio-cultural cache of kayaking lore to the prospect of hunting from the kayak. Recreational yaksters, on the other hand, may have never been around a kayak until they're well into middle age. They are very probably kayaking on the week-end and spend the rest of their life not hunting and surviving in the Arctic, but rather sitting behind a desk in some sedentary position. As regards a wet exit by an Inuit and one by a recreational yakster. . . Most Inuits I've read about don't own wetsuits or drysuits. A wet exit in the Arctic without a wetsuit IS potentially lethal. A wet exit with a wetsuit is inconsequential. Perhaps the fact that most kayak fatalities occur to paddlers who are out of the boat is merely coincidental and not causal. . . Just like most dead people have ceased breathing. . . Capsizes typically take place unexpectedly. It's unreasonable to expect that the paddler is going to be in a postion to hold one's breath while getting at a paddle float stored behind the cockpit. Being upside down hardly puts you in a position to inflate a float in order to bring your boat onto it's side. The advantages of staying inside the boat when capsized seem negligible unless there's a very real expectation that the paddler will be able to right the boat while still in the cockpit. Otherwise there's every possibility of expending precious energy in maintaining a position that seems precarious. Nonetheless, If all this impedimentia works for you, go for it. Geo./Svenn ______________________________ George Bergeron, Secretary '99 Oswego Heritage Council www.europa.com/~heritage/ *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
We're planning a trip to Point Reyes/Tomales Bay (California) in a few weeks. Info re weather, neat spots, etc would be welcomed. How cold is the water? Thanks. Steve Cramer Test Scoring & Reporting Services Sometimes you never can University of Georgia always tell what you Athens, GA 30602-5593 least expect the most. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Hey Julio: For many new paddlers, flipping can be 'upsetting' (sorry, I couldn't resist). Practising wet exits in a benign environment can help novices relax, and start to think of the boat as a big water toy. When they are relaxed, it is much easier to help them learn further skills, and leave them with a happy feeling and desire for more. For example, learning to float one's body on the water with hand or paddle or float assistance without exiting the boat is something I cover when teaching bracing and rolling, and dogpaddling usually comes along when students are practising their rolls the first few times. Teaching these things right off the start, when a novice might be very nervous, would not be as effective, and for some would be off-putting. As far as you comments concerning the Innuit and your noting that most drowned boaters are found out of their boats, I believe that they are not particularly relevant. Take for example the Caribou Eskimo kayak. Fathers would build small ones for their sons, and would help them learn in shallow water. Swims by the novices were commonplace. This is no different from how we teach sprint kayaking today. Let's not confuse novices learning at the beach with serious trips, be it historic Innuit culture or contemporary Western culture. As far as finding bodies outside of boats, I believe that this has more to do with it being very difficult to stay in a boat when either in great distress or when dead, so I don't find your mention of such statistics to be at all useful. It's a bit like saying that most people die in bed, so one should not go to bed. Being knocked out of a boat, dragged out of a boat, or sucked out of a boat are all very common, and have little to do with whether or not a paddler makes a conscious effort not to swim. While I share your concern that paddlers should learn not to swim because they usually will stand a much better chance in their boats, I think that a staged progression, starting with wet exits/water-play/relaxation/basic motion will usually make for a better learning experience than having novices dogpaddle from the start. I would suggest that the techniques you have mentioned are inherent to learning and practising other skills, such as rolling and bracing. Cheers, Richard Culpeper www.geocities.com/~culpeper Julio MacWilliams wrote: > 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 > *************************************************************************** > 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/ ***************************************************************************
I can easily build a fire on an iceberg. The problem here in Florida is finding the darn iceberg. :-))) michael dldecker_at_mediaone.net wrote: > The reason it was lethal was they had no dry suits, wet suits and would > die from hypothermia(can't build a fire on a iceberg with out wood) *************************************************************************** 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 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 *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Scott wrote; >I think there was another reason they didn't wet exit. This sounds >silly, but I don't think they knew how to swim. Remember that these >were freezing waters much of the year. Why and how would they learn to >swim? Feel free to correct my history if I am wrong! My dear boy, of course they could swim. It was the Inuit who invented the butterfly stroke which they learned while drifting across Mexico on giant Rossby waves while wearing their inflatable underwear. The Inuit where highly observant and could add two and two to get five quite easily. The leap from the butterfly the butterfly stroke was child's play. Archaeologists have unearthed huge Inuit femurs in Pingo excavations that indicate that they could swim much faster than any modern man. It only stands to reason. would you not learn to swim pretty quickly if you fell in such cold water. Of course you would. It was the Inuit who first smeared themselves with muktuk to protect themselves from the cold on long distance swims thus paving the way for assorted Brit swimmers to swim the English Channel in the days before the Chunnel. It is a shame that the Brits lost the swimming skills learned from the Inuit for had they been able to swim they would have not needed boats to escape from Dunkirk. Even imported culture is worth preserving. Dr. Peregrine Inverbon, Ph.d., DD, LL.d, Ph.G Transcribed by his humble servant John Winters *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
-----Original Message----- From: pbaum_at_ix.netcom.com <pbaum_at_ix.netcom.com> To: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net <paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net> Date: Sunday, 12 July 1998 06:27 Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] wet exit? why? >On 07/09/98 10:39:52 you wrote: > > >, one capsized and his kayak was blown away faster than he >could swim towards it. <Snip> Kia Ora, A few years ago ,as part of a multisport race covering the length of New Zealand,the kayak section of the race was held in Charlotte sound( top of the south island). They were struck by a squall of 50 knots plus and the fleet promply capsized. Guy's swimming everywhere.(As seen from filming helicopters on TV sportsnews) Kayaks rolling on top of the water covered up to a mile in twenty minutes. They rolled like empty beercans along the road on a windy day. Fortunately there were plenty of support craft . That is one of the reasons why my paddle is clipped onto the boat. Regards Eddie. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Quoting Julio MacWilliams: > Hmm. Though it is often believed that wet exits were inevitably > lethal for Inuit kayakers, F. Spencer Chapman, in Watkins' Last > Expedition, tells about an East Greenlander who survived a wet > exit by scrambling onto an ice floe. > . . . > There was some evidence that Gino Watkins, while hunting by > himself, survived a wet exit by climbing onto an ice floe, but > then perished when he left the floe to swim after his kayak. Hmm, indeed! Long distance ice skating on the frozen surfaces of kayaking waters is a major winter pastime in Sweden (and, I'd strongly suspect, elsewhere in Scandinavia). The primary survival skill that open-ice skaters need to master is getting back up on the ice whenever they fall through. The cardinal rule, which is supported by the circumstances of virtually all skating related fatalities, is that it is *impossible* to scramble from water onto ice without hardware assistance. In exact analogy to PFD's, all skaters wear "ice spikes" high on their chests and use them to bite into the ice when dragging themselves onto it. Although not very difficult, the use of the things must be practiced and, despite the degree of acquired skill, it's regarded as lunacy for anyone to skate alone. Wet exiting from a kayak in sight of ice in the belief that getting up onto it will be at all similar to getting onto land is a very bad idea -- most likely deadly. On an entirely speculative basis, I could easily imagine that Inuit kayakers might know how to use such things as knifes and harpoons to pull themselves out of the water. Extrapolating into present context, any resourceful individual carrying two knives and having practiced the skill could probably do an "ice edge rescue". I've never been on open water (liquid state, that is :-) during the ice season and don't know if local kayakers carry ice spikes. It wouldn't surprise me and I can easily enough find out. Does kayaking lore or the personal experience of anyone on this list gainsay any of this? Cary Karp <karp_at_pi.se> *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Phil, I too have worried about capsizes in windy conditions and the possibility of loosing the boat should I wet exit. I haven't tested it yet, but here's the solution I'm working on. I have a towing belt with a quick release mechanism on my PFD. I run a teather from the towing belt to the boat. If I capsize and wet exit (which is unlikely since I roll quite well), loosing the boat in high winds is a real possibility. With the teather, however, I can keep the boat nearby while I get my paddle float out and carry out a paddle float re-entry roll (which works remarkably well --- even for non-rollers). I don't teather my paddle since I haven't figured out how to do it without interfering with rolls, dufeks and other extreme strokes I like to do. It seems to me that the right approach is to teather the paddle to your wrist. At any rate, I always carry an extra paddle whenever I'm in the sea, so I'm partially covered without teathering the paddle. By the way, I brought up the point of teathering in an earlier discussion on this list. Lots of people supported the idea of teathering a paddle to the boat, but no one supported teathering the paddler to the boat. I find this strange since a boat can VERY quickly get away from you in the wind. Now for some pre-emptive responces to this method. * I would never teather myself to anything in white water or in the surf. * I have a knife on my PFD so if the quick release on my towing belt failed, I have a backup. * I know from my white water paddling that the real trick is to hang on to your boat and paddle when you wet exit. This is actually quite easy and natural even in rough water. In fact, other than one time where I was pinned against a strainer and the paddle was pulled out of my hand, I have never lost a boat or paddle on white water. I'm looking forward to how this discussion plays out on the list. --Tim > -----Original Message----- > From: pbaum_at_ix.netcom.com [SMTP:pbaum_at_ix.netcom.com] > Sent: Saturday, July 11, 1998 11:07 AM > To: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subject: 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 > > > ************************************************************************** > * > 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/ ***************************************************************************
Tim, I think your tether idea is a good one. It can be quite easy to lose a boat in high winds and rough water. I don't see any serious problems with getting hopelessly entangled provided that the tetheris attached aft of the paddlefloat rigging, and is just long enough to reach you while seated in the cockpit with a couple of wraps around your torso (a likely eventuality as you corkscrew into the cockpit). A bungie type cord might be best to prevent undue wrapping. Also, I would assume that you are planning on practicing this a lot in "calm" conditions, right? :) A good way to avoid a tether at all while rigging the paddle float is to crawl up on the stern half of the upsidedown kayak. This not only keeps you in close contat with the kayak, but also keeps more of you out of the cold water. Then when it is time to flip the boat, it is easy to sink the stern a little extra just before the flip to pre-emptively drain water out of the cockpit (assumes a rear bulkhead). I have been thinking about what would cause a paddler with a good roll to swim at sea, so this is excellent chance to make another commentable topic. 1. Broken paddle Solution: learn to roll with a half a paddle, or carry an atlatl/rolling aid as the greenlanders do. or learn to hands roll with a rock in your fist, again as the Greenlanders do, because if you can do that, then you roll anywhere, anytime. 2. Caught in kelp/fishing line Solution: Learn the "kelp roll" or practice various types of Greenland style rolls. They know 30+ kinds of rolls for good reasons.I would not necesarrily recommend using a sharp knife for this kind of extrication -- too dangerous. 3. Bonked in face by own paddle shaft -- gave myself a bloody nose the other day... in flat water no less. Solution: Wear a helmet in rough water, and don't try too hard to make your boat cartwheel in flatwater. 4. Rescuing an incapacitated friend. Solution: Paddle alone (just kidding). Actually, in this situation, a tether is a GREAT IDEA. Thanks for figuring this one out. 5. Dislocated shoulder. Solution: Learn how to high brace properly, or simply use a low brace. I would be interested in other reasons why a paddler with a bombproof roll might swim. Cheers, Kevin ___________________ / Kevin Whilden \ |Dept. of Geosciences \___ |University of Washington \ |kwhilden_at_u.washington.edu| \________________________/ On Mon, 13 Jul 1998, Mattson, Timothy G wrote: > > Phil, > > I too have worried about capsizes in windy conditions and the > possibility of loosing the boat should I wet exit. I haven't tested > it yet, but here's the solution I'm working on. > > I have a towing belt with a quick release mechanism on my PFD. I > run a teather from the towing belt to the boat. If I capsize and wet > exit (which is unlikely since I roll quite well), loosing the boat in high > winds is a real possibility. With the teather, however, I can keep the > boat nearby while I get my paddle float out and carry out a paddle > float re-entry roll (which works remarkably well --- even for non-rollers). > > > I don't teather my paddle since I haven't figured out how to do it without > interfering with rolls, dufeks and other extreme strokes I like to do. It > seems to me that the right approach is to teather the paddle to your > wrist. At any rate, I always carry an extra paddle whenever I'm in the > sea, so I'm partially covered without teathering the paddle. > > By the way, I brought up the point of teathering in an earlier discussion > on this list. Lots of people supported the idea of teathering a paddle to > the > boat, but no one supported teathering the paddler to the boat. I find this > > strange since a boat can VERY quickly get away from you in the wind. > > Now for some pre-emptive responces to this method. > > * I would never teather myself to anything in white water > or in the surf. > > * I have a knife on my PFD so if the quick release on my towing > belt failed, I have a backup. > > * I know from my white water paddling that the real trick is > to hang on to your boat and paddle when you wet exit. This > is actually quite easy and natural even in rough water. In > fact, other than one time where I was pinned against a > strainer and the paddle was pulled out of my hand, I have > never lost a boat or paddle on white water. > > I'm looking forward to how this discussion plays out on the list. > > --Tim > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: pbaum_at_ix.netcom.com [SMTP:pbaum_at_ix.netcom.com] > > Sent: Saturday, July 11, 1998 11:07 AM > > To: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > > Subject: 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 > > > > > > ************************************************************************** > > * > > 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/ > *************************************************************************** > *************************************************************************** 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 Tue, 21 Jul 1998, K. Whilden wrote: > > I have been thinking about what would cause a paddler with a good roll to > swim at sea, so this is excellent chance to make another commentable > topic. > > 1. Broken paddle > 2. Caught in kelp/fishing line > 3. Bonked in face by own paddle shaft -- gave myself a bloody nose the > 4. Rescuing an incapacitated friend. > 5. Dislocated shoulder. > I would be interested in other reasons why a paddler with a bombproof roll > might swim. Cheers, > Kevin 6. No one _really_ has a bombproof roll. 7. Cold and tired and not really reacting quickly enough - even if dressed properly for the water temp. Joy Hecht Arlington VA *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Sounds good, but the still the odds of being rescued or assited would better if the person did not come out of the kayak. Grabbing an inflated float from the aft deck and putting it behind the paddlers neck to lift his/her head out of the water while waiting for assistance would be a lot better than immersing your abdomen and legs in cold water and then using the little energy left to get back in the boat, stabilize it, and maybe pumping the water out. There is a product in the market that automatically inflates when pulled out and allows any paddler to roll up (well, any? that is to be tested). I do not think it is really necessary to roll up, just embrace the device to get your head and upper torso out of the water while someone comes to help you stabilize the boat until you feel OK. If someone can give a reason why swimming is better than staying in the boat other than getting the paddlers head out of the water, then the issue would be settled. - Julio > > On Tue, 21 Jul 1998, K. Whilden wrote: > > > > > I have been thinking about what would cause a paddler with a good roll to > > swim at sea, so this is excellent chance to make another commentable > > topic. > > > > 1. Broken paddle > > 2. Caught in kelp/fishing line > > 3. Bonked in face by own paddle shaft -- gave myself a bloody nose the > > 4. Rescuing an incapacitated friend. > > 5. Dislocated shoulder. > > > I would be interested in other reasons why a paddler with a bombproof roll > > might swim. Cheers, > > Kevin > > > 6. No one _really_ has a bombproof roll. > 7. Cold and tired and not really reacting quickly enough - even if dressed > properly for the water temp. > > > > Joy Hecht > Arlington VA > *************************************************************************** > 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/ ***************************************************************************
Cary Karp wrote: >I've never been on open water (liquid state, that is :-) during >the ice season and don't know if local kayakers carry ice spikes. >It wouldn't surprise me and I can easily enough find out. Here in Minnesota many of us stretch our short season out by kayaking the winter through on portions of the Mississippi kept unfrozen due to the wonders of hydro-electricity. Many people either carry ice-axes under their shockcords, or a pair of homemade ice picks. These are simply wooden dowels with eyelets on one end for attaching them to yourself, and nails in the other end. These work great to pull yourself out of the water on to a flow. I think that the nails would also prove to be much less dangerous than trying this with a knife. When not being used, you can cover the picks with some corks or somesuch. -Patrick *************************************************************************** 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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