Re: [Paddlewise] Spray skirts-safety training and complacency

From: Michael Daly <michaeldaly_at_home.com>
Date: Wed, 08 Mar 2000 21:32:05 -0500
Larry Koenig wrote:

> I've been shown that a sprayskirt can be released in an emergency by
> grabbing its edge at the middle of the side of the cockpit coaming where it
> can be grabbed more easily than at the front if the pull loop is tucked
> under.

Other alternatives include:

Smash your open hand into the skirt in front of you, grab a fistfull and pull.
It works for every neoprene skirt I've tested.

Reach behind and grab the bungie that sticks out the back of your skirt (if it
has one) and release from the back.

Push up against the underside of the skirt with your knees (this is not really
effective - the skirt seems to really stretch).

Put your hands on the deck at the rear "corners" of the coaming and push
yourself out.  This doesn't work for really tight skirts (like my WW).  If the
skirt isn't really tight, you'll come out.  This might not work well if you've
got short arms!

I've practiced all these in the pool and some in open water.  I find the rear
bungie the best, Larry's and the smash and grab second.

Mike

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Received on Wed Mar 08 2000 - 18:33:07 PST

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