[Paddlewise] Death by Tether

I finally got hold of the story about the kayaker who died in the San Juan
Islands in July due to entanglement problems. A kind person on the list
briefly remembered seeing a news article in _The Journal of the San Juan
Islands_ and let me know. I found a reference on the internet. The
newspaper's web page summary for July 7, 1999 basically states that a
Friday Harbor man died in a kayaking mishap on the previous Sunday to the
report (I assume July 4th). His name was Michael Paxson. The article
indicated the accident took place with this 37 year old, two miles west of
Point Lawrence, or at least that is where he was found. The report states
that he was tethered to his boat, and his paddle was found in the cockpit.
The reporter also included a speculation by a County Sheriff member that he
may have been angling before the accident and was unable to exit when the
kayak flipped over.

I called the Sheriff's department today, and spoke with the detective
assigned to the investigation. He confirmed the accidental nature of the
death. He told me that Mr Paxson was considered an experienced, avid
paddler and kayak fisherman, and that the accident occurred off Raccoon
Point, an area known for good fishing. I asked a number of specific
questions as part of an article I was doing on tethers. He was delighted to
respond with any and all information I needed, and I got the distinct
impression that the law enforcement officer was not impressed with
self-tethering. I did mention that a year and a half ago, another very
highly experienced paddler, who additionally was an ocean swimmer, died
when he became separated from his kayak and/or was not able to re-enter due
to lack of rescue skills/equipment. I told him the issue I was dealing with
was complex, but thanked him for his convictions. 

Anyway, I went on to ask my questions. From that process, I learned that
Michael had clipped himself to a line (possibly a deck line) running from
bow to stern, with a mini carabineer off his waist. There was not enough
play in the line. He was also apparently fishing, as two fishing poles were
each wedged in the cockpit beside himself, respectively on each side (left
and right, and stiil there about four hours after death when he was
retrieved). The lines were out, hooks on each end, but the lengths of line
had wrapped around him, entangling Micheal. He was wearing a PFD, and when
found dead, the paddler was mostly up inside the kayak. It was a fairly
large kayak (no make or model known), but had a conventional cockpit (as
opposed to a recreational or semi decked canoe type). 

The County Sheriff representative speculated with me that there was some
evidence he was drifting along fishing, while also having lunch, and must
have flipped over unexpectedly (for conditions) as the paddle was inside
the cockpit. The combination of entanglement in the fish line and the
impossibility of being able to undo the carabineer most likely meant
Micheal was completely helpless while he died from drowning. A very real
tragedy.

I was told that the Sheriff's department has responded to four kayak
incidents since the entanglement incident, and the member wanted to know
"what's up with you guys, anyway?" He said only last week they had a close
call with a kayaker, who was very lucky to be alive. They also had to
rescue a couple of paddlers in a double sea kayak recently, that split in
two due to marijuana smugglers who were too "greedy" with the weight they
were carrying < Genuine Canadian weed, as opposed to genuine Canadian
Ballast Rocks(c) :-) >

I told him that that was why I was phoning, to get details to help those
who wanted to be wiser paddlers. My summary to PW is simple: 1) Tether your
paddle as a minimum, where and when needed, as opposed to resorting to
putting it in a cockpit. That would be a correct use of a tether, making it
more avaliable in the event of a capsize. 2) Tethering to your boat is
fine, when and where warrented of course, but you have got to have some
run-out of line to give you some distance to be able to bob to the surface,
independant of your kayak. Relying on a system where you would have to hold
your breath in order to unclip while upside down is a disaster waiting to
happen. This accident was wholly preventable. 3) Always cary an accessible
knife. The Sheriff's Dept found none in connection with this incident. 4)
Tandem fishing lines - come on, that's almost as greedy as the overload of
illegal weed from the other incident. One pole, mounted in a rod holder,
away from the cockpit, I presume, would be much safer. 4) Fishing alone, as
is solo kite sailing from a kayak, in my opinion, has inherent risks easily
mitigated by paddling with someone else; though with care and precautions,
both activities in the solo mode can be done with a modicum of safety.

Any other thoughts (constructive of course)? I can call back the Sheriff's
department if I have a list of further questions, I was told. 

Be safe out there, all ya paddling sisters and brothers, winter be coming
soon!

BC'in Ya
Doug Lloyd
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