Re: [Paddlewise] Landing a victim through surf

At 11:14 AM 11/5/98 -0800, Julio wrote:
>Scenario: 
>
>The victim is hypothermic after capsizing several times
>in his brand new tipy boat.  now, it is the group's mission to land the
>victim to safety through dumping surf.

Julio, how about this:

If the victim can not brace, 

 ~~~~~~~victim in surf~~~---line---rescuer in beach
~~~rescuer in surf

The job of the rescuer at sea is to keep the victim's kayak upright and
perpendicular to the waves, facing towards the waves. That Rescuer will use
a short line from his/her deck to the victim's deck, possibly also bridging
between the two decks with a secured paddle.  Those two boats would be
side-by-side, but staggered to allow the surf rescuer to use his paddle
effectively. If the victim can help hold his boat to the rescuer's boat
that will help, but should not be relied on in surf. Any line or paddle
connecting boats must be releasable by the rescuers in case of necessity.
The job of the rescuer on the beach is to watch for the right set of waves
and to pull both the victim and the other rescuer to the beach.

	This is a very good and realistic question you have posed.  I strongly
advocate group practice of any proposed solutions to help flush out the
non-obvious pros and cons.

	Keep on thinkin'!
	John



***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/
***************************************************************************