Re: [Paddlewise] Landing a victim through surf

In a message dated 98-11-05 17:01:33 EST, kwhilden_at_u.washington.edu writes:

<< 
 One other idea is that it might work to send strong swimmers back out to
 bring in the abandoned kayaks once the rescue is completed. This depends
 on the swimmers and the surf. >>

I'd be very careful with that idea, I think.  The boats' cockpits will have
filled up by then --- I hope Julio's rules were that only bulkheaded composite
boats or plastic boats with bulkheads <and> flotation bags could be used ---
and are going to be very heavy.  An onshore breeze and the surf will bring
them in eventually.  A swimmer will have a lot of trouble controlling a
flooded boat, and could get into serious problems trying.  I think I'd send
the fastest guys out running to a phone or the nearest Bay Watch stand, and
I'd put the other slower, fatter warmer guys in a plastic body bag with the
victim to try to stablilize or reverse his temperature drop.

I'm also very interested in hearing what the surf lifeguards would do.  With a
kayaker, you've got a little more to get a grip on than with a swimmer.  (And
Julio's rules <did>, of course, include helmets, right?)  The collision
factor, even with a rescuer and a non-cooperative rescuee --- who could be
combative by now, depending how many times we've whopped him upside the head
with a paddle trying to get him upright again --- would be a real dangerous
situation for an average sea kayaker.

Jack Martin
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