[Paddlewise] Self Rescue & Kleppers

	Hi Ralph et al, 

	Thanks for your comments re our rescue day. And BTW thanks for posting the
Boatshed web address on P/W.   You may recall my Klepper 'career' began at
the Boatshed some years ago!
	Just a couple of comments which may be of interest to Klepper people. I
use the original tuckunder spraycover which is excellent, except for the
annoying habit of collecting seawater/rainwater in a puddle.  I fashioned a
'stiffener' of thin laminate which I jam up between the cover and the
cockpit coaming. This solved the puddle problem and gave me a nice
picnic/chart table!  I should note that I don't use a sprayskirt unless I
am in big seas or heavy rain.
	BUT,  taking the flex out of the cover immediately reduces one of its
great safety advantages [ the flex ] and this only became obvious when we
practised in rough water. Just that little bit of rigidity made a
difference in scrambling back into the cockpit.  Again, this reinforces
what other posters have commented upon and that is the necessity to
practise self rescue in REALISTIC conditions.
	I was the seasick one on the practice day, and I can only repeat what
PeterO mentioned, and that is how quickly one is debilitated when this
happens.   The weekend after this event four of us went out to sea for the
day and one man [ experienced] became seasick. 
	Again, he went 'down' very quickly. This is not nice when it happens!  As
one who has 'been there' I believe the seasick one quickly needs someone
alongside his boat, preferably nose to tail, so the 'rescuer' can visually
assess the sick person's state.  If possible get the seasick one paddling
again. I think forward motion with eyes on the horizon [ if it is visible]
can stabilise the condition. A tow can provide the sick one with a modicum
of security while he/she recovers.
	A big factor in both these cases was that we were 'mucking about' in
fairly rough conditions.  We were flopping about in the chop experimenting
with tow ropes, and other gear.  On the most recent occasion it was my
friend head down using his radio.  Seems obvious when you look back on it,
but it is similar to reading a book while travelling in a car.  Some people
can do this, others, like me cannot!
	Lessons learned.

	PeterR
	

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