Re: [Paddlewise] self rescue techniques

Allison Corning wrote:

> I was watching a video of rescue techniques the other day and saw mostly the
> usual stuff, paddlefloats, t rescues etc. and then the hosts did a
> modification on their paddle float rescue where they attached nylon webbing
> to the paddle shaft and made a stirrup-the person then stepped into the
> stirrup and was given a "boost" back into the kayak. I'm looking at this
> tape and thinking to myself "you've got to be kidding me". 

Less cumbersome and quicker is to carry a loop of webbing which will fit around
the cockpit and hang down in the water so the paddler can get her/his foot into
it to help him/her back into the cockpit.  Some forethought is necessary:  put
a carabiner (or similar) on the loop so it will slide to the low point of the
end of the loop in the water, and also attach a float so the whole thing will
not disappear into the briny deep.

My experience is that with folks who are heavier than average and/or do not
have good upper body strength, the loop is necessary to re-enter the cockpit. 
For the fitter crowd, it just makes mounting the deck easier, and less
fatiguing.  Takes less than 15 seconds to deploy, and the entrapment hazard is
minimal, because the loop is not firmly attached to the yak.

BTW, I thought T-rescues were disfavored because in the conditions where you
would need a T-rescue, most likely it would be so rough the T-rescue would be
unworkable and/or hazardous to life and limb.  Could be I have confused the T
with another rescue.  The version of the T I know is called "TX" in my 1988
edition of Dowd's Sea Kayaking (page 123).

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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