Re: [Paddlewise] Paddle Float

Some thoughts about paddlefloat rescue:

You can do it without fastening it to rear deck, but it's tougher. And it's
still difficult to pump out your boat in rough and windy conditions.

Foam floats go on easier and quicker, but are not as easy to stow
conveniently, being bulky.

I've become, like many others, a convert to the re-entry roll technique. I
think it's actually easier than a standard paddle float self-rescue, but a
regular roll is my first choice of self rescue. And it's still difficult to
re-enter a boat and get braced in rough water.

Then factor in cold. PBS recently ran a Nova show called Escape. It had some
segments on guys in cold water tanks trying to do simple tasks like popping
a flare. It's amazing how quickly you become very uncoordinated if you've
been in cool water long.

I'm considering carrying an inflatable rescue seat as the last line of
defense when solo paddling. If it's rough enough that I go over and blow my
rolls, then I'm probably gonna need more help than a paddle float,
especially in 55 F water.
___________________
Rob Gendreau
Oakland, California
gendreau_at_ccnet.com
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