RE: [Paddlewise] Towing

Discussing different ways to tow paddlers is very interesting.  On a few
occaisions, I've needed to help exhausted paddlers make it into camp.  I've
also towed a second kayak as a barge (in calm, lake settings) to haul large
quantities of camping gear.  I've never had to deal with a  distressed
paddler, however, needing constant monitoring or support.  I'm looking
forwawrd to trying out some of these "distressed paddler" techniques people
have been talking about.

I was wondering, though, as I heard these discussions of different ways to
attach yourself to other boats.  How many of you carry a readilly accesible
knife?  I come from a white water background and in the white water world,
you would NEVER consider doing anyting with rope unless you had a knife on
your PFD that you could have out an in use instantly.  I almost never see
sea kayakers carry knives.  

I wonder about the wisdom of working with any kind of towing arrangement
without a knife.  Remember, quick release mechanisms fail.  

I experienced a "failed quick release incident" about a monthy ago.  I  was
taking a river rescue course and the instructor was shoing us how to
traverse a river on a tensioned line.  The line had too much slack, and when
his body hit the rapid, the line bent and he was trapped in the middle of
the river. He pulled his quick release line on his harness, but it failed to
release him.  Fortunately, I was able to slide along the rope and unclip him
before he needed to cut up his rescue harness.

This incident was an excellent example of why river kayakers carry those
cool looking knives on their PFD's.  While sea kayakers don't deal with as
much white water, we still have plenty of lines around our boats to get
tangled up in.  Shouldn't sea kayakers also carry cool macho looking knives
if they are going to start using painters, tethers, tow ropes or any other
kinds of ropes?

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