With the upcoming swim race, I'd like to take a moment to consider the role kayakers play in a swim race. Naturally, we provide a good channel for communicating with swimmers and we help them navigate, but, in my mind, the most important service we render is to provide immediate aide to a swimmer in distress. A prime example of this is the aide given by two kayakers during a swim race in the Chesapeake Bay last summer. They came upon an unconscious swimmer floating face down (due to a seizure, I believe) and had to take immediate action. Their alertness and quick response literally saved the swimmer's life. I am bringing this topic to light because I have witnessed a few swim races where kayakers participated but were ill prepared to lend immediate aide. It's not too hard to imagine a scenario where a kayaker might have to come to the aide of a swimmer and make physical contact with him or her. I know that there are times good judgement requires that we keep a good distance from a swimmer (panic thrashing, etc.) but there are also times, like in the Chesapeake race, where we might have to grab one. Therefore, I recommend that swim race support kayakers: 1. Always wear a PFD. If a swimmer is in distress, you may need to lend immediate aide and not think to put one on or waste time doing so. If you are dealing with someone in the water, things can happen that would cause you to be in the water too. Wearing a PFD will help you continue to provide aide while in the water and make your rescue easier for the rest of us. 2. Always use a spray skirt. If you are helping a swimmer in the water, you may need to lean your boat while doing so. The last thing you need is to be scooping water into your cockpit. 3. Insure that your boat has adequate floatation. If you go for a swim while helping a swimmer, it will give you both something to hold on to until more help arrives. It will also help other kayakers to help you get back in your boat. 4. Carry a spare PFD under a deck bungee. If a swimmer gets in trouble, it is much better to toss a PFD to them then to have them grab onto your boat possibly causing an upset. In essence, what I am preaching here is to have floatation for you, your boat and for a swimmer. I think it makes good sense. Perhaps we've discussed this too much in the past, but there are new people and, you know...... Bill Leonhardt *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Thanks, Bill. Very insightful. I had not heard of the Chesapeake incident so it helped to remind me that not every trip goes as planned or expected. Also, it never occurred to me to take an extra PFD on support paddles. Speculating, I believe you are right that throwing a panic'd swimmer a spare PFD would give them something to focus on and, once they are wearing it, have a calming effect. > ---------- > From: Bill Leonhardt[SMTP:WJLeonhardt_at_bnl.gov] > > A prime example of this is the aide given by two kayakers during a swim > race in the Chesapeake Bay last summer. They came upon an unconscious > swimmer floating face down (due to a seizure, I believe) and had to take > immediate action. Their alertness and quick response literally saved the > swimmer's life. > > Therefore, I recommend that swim race support kayakers: > > 1. Always wear a PFD. If a swimmer is in distress, you may need to lend > immediate aide and not think to put one on or waste time doing so. If you > are dealing with someone in the water, things can happen that would cause > you to be in the water too. Wearing a PFD will help you continue to > provide aide while in the water and make your rescue easier for the rest > of > us. > > 2. Always use a spray skirt. If you are helping a swimmer in the water, > you may need to lean your boat while doing so. The last thing you need is > to be scooping water into your cockpit. > > 3. Insure that your boat has adequate floatation. If you go for a swim > while helping a swimmer, it will give you both something to hold on to > until more help arrives. It will also help other kayakers to help you get > back in your boat. > > 4. Carry a spare PFD under a deck bungee. If a swimmer gets in trouble, > it > is much better to toss a PFD to them then to have them grab onto your boat > possibly causing an upset. > > In essence, what I am preaching here is to have floatation for you, your > boat and for a swimmer. I think it makes good sense. > > Perhaps we've discussed this too much in the past, but there are new > people > and, you know...... > > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Speaking of carrying a SPARE PFD in swim race support paddles, I have been thinking about experimenting with one of the smaller versions of those donut shaped life preservers that big boats carry to throw to people overboard. Aside from the fact that it would look great on the rear deck, with the name of your vessel in bold letters, making people laugh wherever you paddled. I thought one of these donut floats might be just the thing for snorkeling without exiting your kayak. You could don your mask and snorkel and simply flop over with your face through the donut to get a look at the undersea world. With the right sort of lashings the donut would be a decent paddle float. Who knows, with practice you might be able to re-enter the kayak with the help of just the donut. If it was easy to detatch from the deck it might work as a rolling aid as well. I think I'll have to try this. Nick Lyle *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 9/15/99 1:17:11 PM Pacific Daylight Time, nickjean_at_speakeasy.org writes: << , I have been thinking about experimenting with one of the smaller versions of those donut shaped life preservers >> Nick, My ex had just the right thing for ya. Got it after her hemorrhoid operation, I think. Harold *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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