Re: [Paddlewise] panicky paddlers was: baidarka Back Support and Sp*ns*ns

On Mon, 24 Jan 2000 16:48:53 -0800 (PST), Jackie Fenton wrote:

Doug Lloyd wrote: <sniped>
>> new paddlers totally in panic mode, unable to deal with
their lack of perceived stability, then placing undue requirements on a
partner or group (to the point where they physically will not let go of
you, even after attempts to calm them down).>>

>Are you saying someone grabbed either your boat or someone elses boat 
in your party and would not let it go because of panic and could not 
be calmed down?>

Yes, absolutely right. Not very common above water in the relative security
of a kayak. (I was a lifeguard in my late teens, so have dealt with the
in-water swimmer situation).

>I've seen people panic to the point of not being able to move but never
experienced someone grabbing my kayak and not letting it go.>

The individual in question was a big fellow, lots of talk, tore away from
the group initially, then got into some chop. His upper body weight changed
the picture fairly quickly. The another incident was with Fred Potter and a
new paddler (I reported Fred's untimely death on PW a few months ago -
funeral was awesome, with his kayak at the front and pictures all around).
The newbie was another "rough-and-tough" male -- I'm not using the usual
word here for that kind of guy :-)  --  got freaked out when a bit of chop
developed down an inlet known for its wind-funnel effect. In that case, he
grabbed onto a bouy and would not let go, utilizing an incredibly strong
death grip. Fred had a hard time, because once the guy finally conceded and
let go in exchange to hold onto Fred's kayak, it required the newbie male
to tilt a bit to hold onto Fred's kayak. This again made him feel very
unstable, as whenever the kayaks separated a bit, he would tilt even
further. I can't remember how Fred got out of it, other than it took a long
time to get to shore, but he sure talked about it for weeks after, rather
upset that the fellow had completed an extensive commercial introductory
course, yet couldn't handle himself or his borrowed boat.      

>What do you do when that happens?  I know it's risky business to rescue
a drowning swimmer or someone panicking in the water (they sometimes
try to climb on top of their rescuer...) <snip> >

As has been mentioned on this list before, you never offer close-in
assistance initially with a panicky swimmer, lest two victims emerge. I had
a 250# male panic in a pool once, while he was horseplaying at the side. I
came around from behind, grabbed his hair, pulled him out onto the deck
(that's gotta hurt!). In the panicky kayaker in-their-boat situation, I'll
present my boat's bow, which still gives you some options, yet confers to
the individual in need a feeling of support -- both physically and
mentally, without letting the panicky paddler grab on to you. In reality,
often you pull up beside an individual to "see what's up" and you can have
a "situation" fairly quickly. Unless you are near a dangerous marine hazard
or boat traffic, the problem  of someone wanting to stay "married" to you
isn't such a big deal, ultimately. So you're rafted-up for awhile. It's not
like the person is going to sink you or something.

I for one can't imagine, at the point above where a safety stabilization
device might be required, pulling out a Sponson type device, then trying to
fit this thing to some paniky kayaker's hull. Just my thought.

This may however, be a good place for the "two-paddle
floats-as-training-wheels". Or, you could use a short towline, and tow
backwards, keeping eye contact with the panicky person, so you remain close
at hand if there is a problem and retaining the ability to offer
encouragement. Leaders should practice their backwards paddling more often. 

If you have shoulder problems like me, backwards paddling is a good
conditioner ( I call it Doug-paddling), as any arm-shoulder movement where
one pushes backwards as opposed to pulling is less degenerative for
rotator-cuff type injuries while strength training.

The Bottom Line: Be prepared for anything (including dogs in the water
tired of dog-paddling).

BC'in Ya
Doug Lloyd  
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