Re: [Paddlewise] Landing a victim through surf

Julio,

Great scenario. We were in a similar position a couple of years back. 
After breaking through a small surf in fog, we found that the swell had 
come up overnight and we had waves up to 6-8 feet breaking on two 
outlying bars. Out of the 8 paddlers, 3 were capsized and swam, one 
capsized and rolled, and I rolled under one big ugly one that was about 
to break right on top of me.

After getting back together in the fog we headed away. A while late 
one of the group became sea sick. Following some discussion two of 
us towed him. He wnated to be anywhere but in the boat, and we 
ended up doing a recce at the next beach up. Despite the large surf, 
there were very clear rip channels where we could have towed him in 
with negligible surf. We elected to carry on to get slack water at a tide 
race, and then landed in comparative shelter around an hour later. 
Even though it was summer and warm, he ended up mildly hypothermic 
which because of our paddling and the temperature surprised us (not 
always easy to put yourself in the victim's position). We all lived to tell 
the tale, but it was a major learning experience.

In terms of landing a victim through surf... I have always found that in 
big surf, rip channels etc become better formed as all that water has to 
flow out somewhere. The only way to see them clearly however is to be 
on the beach, and perferably up above it. You may be surprised how 
often there is an easy approach where it may be possible to tow in. 
Consequently you would need to scout the beach first, or have 
someone there to guide you in.

If there is no easy way in, I would certainly never attempt to tow or raft 
up. In fact the thought of this gives me the shudders as even small surf 
turns kayaks into lethal projectiles! In large dumping surf even a strong 
swimmer could be in difficulty, and bouyant items (people swimming 
with PFD's) are more likely to be caught in a breaking waves and 
tumbled. Some of the highly surf skilled people I know never ever 
where PFD's while surf paddling for this very reason. There's only one 
relatively safe place in the break zone, and that's deep underwater!

I would place the odds high trying to swim in the incapacitated 
person could drown them. Lifeguards tend to use an overgrown surf 
board or surf ski (assuming of course you don't carry an inflatable 
rubber ducky and outboard motor with you in your kayak..) so they can 
deck-carry the swimmer in, and allow the wave's force to carry them in.

So if possible to carry them in on the stern deck of one boat, I guess 
that would be my preferred option (more shuddering!).

Yep, great scenario, and fascinating responses!

Glyn Dickson
Auckland
Paddling Perfection New Zealand
Finest Quality Handcrafted Kayaks
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