In response to Colin Calder's post. I have an electric pump, a Rule 500 powered by two 6V lantern batteries connected in series inside a leak proof tupperware box, and activated by a waterproof switch on the deck behind the cockpit. Since I spend most of my paddling time rolling, the electric pump allows me to get rid of the water that leaks in without removing my spray skirt nor let go of my paddle--its main benefit. I also carry a solid paddlefloat in my aft deck. If loose my paddle, I can retrieve the float underwater and roll back up with it *with one hand*; it is dislocation proof. An inflated paddlefloat with something to hold on to it should work as well. Regarding the 'standard' outrigger paddlefloat rescue, it does not work if you do not practice it. I do not use it, but during the ICE I had to demonstrate the proper technique in rough water, and it took some dedicated practice to get it right. In summary, *you hold the paddle with one hand against the aft cockpit rim*. Then jump on the aft deck and put your legs on the paddle. Most people do not know how to do an outrigger paddlefloat rescue, and almost nobody practices it in a regular basis. Of course, if a paddler puts time to practice rescues, he or she would probably learn all other techniques that make the outrigger paddlefloat rescue obsolete. It is a catch 22--to make the paddlefloat rescue work, you need to practice; but if you practice you do not need it. - Julio *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Julio M Wrote: > I have an electric pump, a Rule 500 powered by two 6V lantern batteries > connected in series inside a leak proof tupperware box, and activated > by a waterproof switch on the deck behind the cockpit. I have almost the same setup. An Attwood 450 instead of the Rule, and a 12v ATV gel cell battery about the size of a lantern battery. As sort of a bonus, I also have a weatherized accessory outlet so the GPS and cell phone also have something to plug in to 8^) If I remember correctly about my tests, the battery ran my pump for over an hour. It takes bout 5 minutes to pump out the cockpit. The main thing I wish to change is I'd like to use a low profile waterproof rocker switch instead of the toggle switch. I'm afraid that one day I'm going to bang that toggle and break it off. Woody *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
> > The main thing I wish to change is I'd like to use a low profile waterproof > rocker switch instead of the toggle switch. I'm afraid that one day I'm > going to bang that toggle and break it off. my friendly marine shop owner tells me he has push button marine swithces. Haven't seen them yet, but might be good for the toggles - one thing i've seen is people putting circles of foam about as high as the switch around the switch. This doesn;t necessarily look pretty but it protects the switch Nick *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
-----Original Message----- From: Julio MacWilliams <juliom_at_cisco.com> To: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net <paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net> Date: Tuesday, May 11, 1999 11:43 AM Subject: [Paddlewise] electric pump and solid paddlefloat >In response to Colin Calder's post. > >I also carry a solid paddlefloat in my aft deck. If loose my paddle, >I can retrieve the float underwater and roll back up with it >*with one hand*; it is dislocation proof. An inflated paddlefloat >with something to hold on to it should work as well. I've been advocating this technique for those who have yet to learn to Eskimo roll or want a stay in your kayak back-up for about 17 years now. > >Regarding the 'standard' outrigger paddlefloat rescue, it does not >work if you do not practice it. >I do not use it, but during the ICE I had to demonstrate the proper >technique in rough water, and it took some dedicated practice to >get it right. In summary, *you hold the paddle with one hand against >the aft cockpit rim*. Then jump on the aft deck and put your legs >on the paddle. This rescue you describe as somebodies "proper technique" should not be refered to as the "outrigger paddle float rescue" to do so is to rename the much inferior "paddle float rescue" and then critisize it using the name of a different far superior rescue. I originally changed the Mariner Self-Rescue's name to "outrigger paddle float rescue" to distinguish it from its later bastardization the "paddle float rescue" (and to make the rescues name more palatable to my competitors so they would be more likely to set up their kayaks to fix the paddle to the deck) that didn't fix the paddle to the kayak but was done as you describe above. The rescue you describe is seroiusly flawed because it is much more difficult to hold the paddle in place and once you are back in the cockpit you loose most of the stability you had when you were laying across the paddle and holding it in place. In short you are just as bad off as if you had just done a reenter and roll. Boat full of free water and no way to stabilize it while you pump (by whatever method). > >Most people do not know how to do an outrigger paddlefloat rescue, >and almost nobody practices it in a regular basis. Of course, >if a paddler puts time to practice rescues, he or she would probably >learn all other techniques that make the outrigger paddlefloat >rescue obsolete. Where are you from? Most practice some form of "paddle float rescue" in the U.S. and Canada. An Eskimo roll, a good brace, a float roll all make the paddle float rescue "obsolete" but if you fail at them and come out of your kayak the true (not the one you describe) "outrigger paddle float rescue" gives you the best chance to regain your kayak and pump out because the fixed (to the kayak)outrigger stabilizes you during the pumping process when the free water effect makes you so unstable. A detailed discussion of it can be found at www.marinerkayaks.com in the manuals section. > >It is a catch 22--to make the paddlefloat rescue work, you need >to practice; but if you practice you do not need it. Sounds like a good practice plan to me and you're even left with a back-up if everything else fails (that is if you have still kept a way to float your paddle handy). > >*************************************************************************** >PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List >Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net >Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net >Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ >*************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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