Re: [Paddlewise] Emergency Gear

At 08:45 AM 6/5/99 -0500, Su Penn wrote:
>I am a strictly recreational kayaker (I paddle an Old Town Loon 138, the
>Barcalounger of kayaks) who just started paddling regularly this spring
>after trying it a few times last year and loving it.

Nothing wrong with a Loon 138. In fact, for a recreational kayak, there's a
fair amount right with it. I had one until I sold it for a bigger boat, and
I wish now that I'd kept it; there are times that it's better suited for
what I'm doing.

>Out for a paddle last night, I realized that I don't really know the best
>way to stow emergency gear so that it's available to me when I need it. I
>always wear my PFD, of course, complete with attached coast-guard-approved
>emergency whistle <g>, and I also carry a paddle float and a pump, as I am
>in the process now of learning the paddle-float rescue. I don't paddle
>alone, but want to carry gear and know rescue techniques as if I might have
>to take care of myself.

The first thing that comes to mind is floatation. You didn't mention it,
but even though the Loon will sort of float when flooded, it's only sort
of. You need to have some good sized flotation bags in the bow and stern.
Otherwise, you are going to be pumping F*O*R*E*V*E*R to get all the water
out of the hull.

On the Loon, there's a good place for pump stowage alongside the seat. On
mine, I stuffed the rest of the stuff I wanted to more or less have in the
boat at all times in a tiny little nylon daypack and stuffed it behind the
seat. This included stuff like emergency water, a couple of candy bars, one
of the thin space blankets and a poncho, in addition to the paddle float.

-- Wes

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