RE: [Paddlewise] Group Paddling - A warning

From:           	"Reeves, Debbie (Debbie)" <dreeves_at_lucent.com>
To:             	paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net,
       	"'Robert Woodard'"
 	<woodardr_at_tidalwave.net>
Subject:        	RE: [Paddlewise] Group Paddling - A warning
Date sent:      	Wed, 7 Apr 1999 15:24:00 -0400 

>  When the sickness hit, it hit hard and the SickOne became
> totally uncommunicative. We were paddling close enough that we were quickly
> able to stabilize the boat while this person emptied their stomach contents.
> We hooked up a tow line and one person towed (we should have changed off but
> didn't at the time) and two people paddled alongside the SickOne (there was
> considerable woobling). 

Interesting scenario, Debbie.

At the Great Lakes Sea Kayak Symposium last summer, I learned 
a very effective tow technique for situations like the one you've 
described.  A partially incapacitated paddler --- whether from 
fatigue, injury, sea-sickness, hypothermia, etc. --- where the towee 
really needs to be stabilized and observed.  It's really pretty simple, 
and it requires very little extra equipment.  It's called a contact tow, 
and I believe it was described very well in a recent Sea Kayaker --- 
dunno the issue --- article on towing techniques.  

Essentially, you lash your (the towing) kayak to the towee's with a 
nominal three foot length of three or four mm climbing line 
terminated in two Wichart (or equivalent) stainless steel snap clips. 
The towee is maneuvered to face you, parallel to you boat, with one 
end of this short tow line in his bow loop; the other end is clipped 
into one of your deck fittings just in front of you --- a fitting you can 
reach quickly and easily.  The towee lies or leans across your 
foredeck ---hopefully blowing lunch to leeward and clearing your 
boat --- and is stabilized by your boat while you reach across his 
bow to provide somewhat uneven but reasonably effective 
propulsion.  The towee rides along, facing backwards but still 
clearly in your view and in verbal contact --- an advantage, 
particularly, if he or she is frightened or panicky.  A variation --- 
usefull in your scenario, Debbie --- would be to have another 
paddler with a tow line clip into your bow loop, assisting in the 
propulsion.  Or, heck, two in tandem or parallel.  Whatever.

The important part is that you can see the person you're assisting 
and watch for further deterioration in his/her condition --- allowing 
you to radio for help if it were needed but not if the towee remains 
in stable condition --- and to stablilize the victim by providing some 
potentially needed physical and psychological support.

The rig --- if you use Wichart clips --- is going to run $8 to $10, and 
can be left clipped into your decklines on the foredeck.  I've tried 
the technique several times in canned situations --- as both victim 
and rescuer --- and it appears to be highly effective; you can 
maintain a pretty good pace, even if it's just you and the victim.

I don't know if the Great Lakes symposium will be repeating that 
demo and clinic, but I found it to be excellent and most worthwhile, 
and hope they continue it.  Off the subject a little, but just about 
every local paddler there seemed to have a tow rig on his or her 
boat and/or PFD, and most appeared to have a contact tow line, as 
well.  Understand it's another Stan Chladek influence.  

Jack Martin

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