Re: [Paddlewise] Current Info on Electric or Foot Pumps?

From:           	"Matt Broze" <mkayaks_at_oz.net>
To:             	"'Paddlewise'" <paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net>
Subject:        	Re: [Paddlewise] Current Info on Electric or Foot Pumps?
Date sent:      	Wed, 12 May 1999 01:35:02 -0700

<Snips>

> How did you say you got your spraydeck back on in these rough conditions
> with a kayak full of this destabilizing water? Do you have a no hands method
> of putting on the spraydeck? How about a one hand method? Yeah, if you can
> do it with one hand you could skull from your other hand and your shoulder
> in these rough conditions while you fasten the spraydeck. Personally, I have
> so far been unable to put the sprayskirt on most kayaks with one hand even
> in calm water (especially with those which are quite rounded in the front of
> the cockpit. If you have a technique for doing this please share it with us,
> I'm all ears, er is that eyes. If you can't do it without using both hands
> what are you bracing with to keep yourself level while you get the skirt
> back on.
> 

Didn't intend to gore any of your sacred cows, Matt, and I'm not 
sure your question wasn't rhetorical, but I'll try to explain my 
analysis again.  No, I haven't invented an anti-gravity machine or re-
defined physics, but, as I said in my post, my "worst case" self 
rescue is to use the solid foam paddle float on my back deck for a 
re-entry and roll --- not a difficult task in my small cockpit, low 
volume Pintail.  Once upright, I can get my skirt back on the 
cockpit rim in a few seconds --- haven't timed it, but it's a rounded 
front 16" by 20" cockpit, and I can get either my Palm 
"Combination" nylon/neoprene or my Seals all neoprene skirt back 
on in about five seconds using both hands.  The paddle isn't 
generally needed for balance or support for those few seconds, but 
the paddlefloat is still attached and the other end of the paddle is 
parked under a forward bungee, leaving the float end close by for 
support if needed.  Is it foolproof?  No more than any other 
technique.  (Another advantage I have is that my slightly over-
average sized body fills up the Valley "Ocean Cockpit" opening 
pretty efficiently, serving as a loose cork and keeping major 
amounts of water out from ingressing and adding to the 
destabilizing factor, so I guess I could pump out first and reattach 
my skirt later, but never thought to try that.  But I will.)

Re your point about leg cramps and foot pumps: I'm sure it 
happens, but it hasn't yet to me.  Again, I paddle low volume boats, 
and foam out my cockpit extensively --- back support, foot rests, 
knee pads, all made of minicell foam --- so I don't have a lot of 
water to pump out during any scenario.  And the placement of the 
pump may have a lot to do with cramps, as well --- an 
uncomfortable angle?  Too long a stretch to reach the pump?  Lots 
of potential reasons for cramps, I guess.

Look, a personal disclaimer in public, Matt: I don't have anything 
close to your depth of experience in sea kayaking, and it would be 
stupid for me to take you on in a "techniques" argument.  My point, 
in response to Clyde's narrative --- and influenced to some degree 
by Colin's response --- was to agree that the generic paddlefloat 
assisted self-rescue may not be the ultimate solution it's 
sometimes made out to be.  It may well be a technique to learn, 
but it's no substitute for a roll or a re-entry and roll --- float assisted 
or not --- and too many people seem to stop at these pool-learned 
points in the self-rescue continuum, thinking they're safe.  In my 
opinion, based on eight years sea kayaking, with training from well 
qualified instructors, and after learning all self rescue techniques 
including a roll, all techniques other than a solid roll are just 
stopping off places and panaceas.

Jack Martin


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