Re: [Paddlewise] landing a victim through surf

Here's my two cents:

  As a former Ocean City, Md. beach lifeguard, I want to stress that you
HAVE to respect the Ocean.  I've seen alot of dislocated shoulders
connected to idiots trying to outrun a big wave! 

  In my mind, there is only one safe way to come through heavy surf. 
Get out of the damn boat, and swim in by timing your approach
carefully.  I've done this lots of times carrying a real life victim at
the end of a buoy.  I could have done it almost as easily by strapping
one of my arms across the victims body; placing them on my hip; and
swimming in with a side stroke.

  You don't need a fancy mask or fins if you have a strong stroke.  You
will be through the surf in under two  minutes.  Anyway, no offense to
Dan, but I would love to see a guy put on fins in really heavy surf.  

  This is the key to getting through the surf: keep you eyes on the
waves, NOT the shore.  I feel much more comfortable in heavy surf
(swimming) than I do in white water for one reason.  Except in very
confused, heavy August surf or storms, the sea is rhythmic.  I can
actually "feel" when a wave is coming if I'm looking at the shore just
by the amount of time that has passed.

  When a big wave actually is hitting, there is only one thing to do: 
Turn the victim and yourself towards the wave, and dive deep underneath
it.  Of course, it is polite to tell the victim about this before the
wave hits!  I would just tell them (and this includes an 8 year old boy
far off shore in confused, heavy seas) "take a deep breath, and go under
water!".  Of course, I never let go of the victim the entire time.

  Once the wave passes, you come up fast and swim like hell to get in
before the next one hits.  I would often end up body surfing in the last
part, with the victim holding onto the buoy.  

   In summary, in light surf, the victim can just hold onto the buoy,
and I could tow him in.  When a big mama hits, you HAVE to dive deep and
get under it. Trust me, I did this professionally for two summers, and
probably made about 15 real rescues (not the j.v. pool types!). You
don't need fancy gear, just a strong stroke and a sense for timing.  If
you think you are going to be able to carry a victim through heavy surf
on the back of your kayak, you are dreaming.  Your kayak would suddenly
get alot lighter after a big wave hits!

  Now a question for you all.  I have paddled through the surf when it
is relatively light on numerous occasions.  However, I have a real fear
of either going out, or coming in through big breakers.  Am I the only
one with this fear?  My fear is that a wave will send me end over end,
and my spine will snap like a twig.  Don't laugh, I met a 30 year old
guy confined to a wheelchair for life for this very reasons.  Do you
guys ever think about this problem?  A sit upon wouldn't bother me.  I
can handle the surf, I just want to make sure I can fall off in a hurry!

 - Scott Ives

Dan Volker wrote:
> 
> If you were faced with really terrible surf to enter, your best way in would be with a good mask, fins and snorkel.
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