Re: [Paddlewise] paddlefloat/outrigger rescue

    Peter T wrote:


    Thanks for some real life feedback. I am inclined to carry the two


    paddlefloats I have made, just as some insurance against failure of
quicker


    and better rescues.


    Several of the keener local paddlers are critical of them, and I have not



    noticed anyone other than me with them or practising re-entry with them.


    Practice to date has been in mild water temperature conditions, and wind


    waves to 1 metre. Based on this, paddlefloat rescues would be very
difficult


    in breaking seas or any rougher conditions.


    


    Peter,


    Certainly an Eskimo roll, re-entry and roll, or scramble rescue are
"quicker and better" self rescues than a paddle float, and they are the ones
I'd start with personally. But I wouldn't be so sure about your assessment
that a paddlefloat won't work in rough seas just because you haven't had the
opportunity to see one used successfully yet. I've never used a paddle float
in combat because my roll has been rather reliable over the past several years
(knock on wood), and the last time I came out of my boat, I was able to do a
scramble rescue, quickly balancing myself in some big surf between waves using
only my paddle. Not to boast, but for the past 10 years I've taught kayaking
full time, so I have to keep my skills sharp. It's what I do for a living.


    So you might be surprised that this "keen" paddler never leaves shore
without his paddlefloat. Although I doubt I'll ever have to use it, it seems
like a wise decision to carry one as a back up. But then I'm the sort of
obsessive personality that goes so far as to carry a spare tire in his car and
a jack, even though I haven't had a flat tire in years, so you'll have to take
what I say with a grain of salt. 


    It's too bad that your local hot shots haven't figured out a way to make a
paddle float work in conditions rougher than you described. My guess is that
they haven't bothered to learn the technique required for a rough-water
paddlefloat rescue because their rolls are so bomber (knock on wood). But I
wonder what they expect other lesser-skilled paddlers to do in a rough-water
capsize? A recent accident report in Sea Kayaker magazine described a man who
tried repeatedly to re-enter and roll, but dunking his head in cold water
quickly disoriented him and he nearly drowned after floating around
unconscious for an hour before someone saw and rescued him. He had a "quicker,
better" rescue that he normally used, but he had no back up plan, such as a
paddlefloat.


    In our local area a paddlefloat works great for intermediate students in
rough water, probably because most local instructors believe in it and teach
proper rough-water technique. We also use good equipment. Besides only being
exposed to poor "flat-water" technique, my guess is the other reason you might
have gotten the impression that paddlefloats don't work in rough seas is the
"homemade" gear you alluded to, probably chunks of foam with inadequate
floatation to support you in big water. A high-volume inflatable (we like the
Mariner) has worked well for us and hundreds of students time after time, if
they were employing good technique. 


    You might try sponsons, but since you realize that "quicker is better" you
might agree that it will take twice as long floating around in cold water to
blow up two bladders. Sponsons might be a good back up to a paddlefloat, but
after my roll, re-entry and roll, and scramble rescues, I'd go for a
paddlefloat as my first back up because it is twice as fast. But no one can
expect a paddlefloat rescue, or sponsons either for that matter, to work in
rough water if they haven't practiced first in rough water. 


    Maybe you could be a trend setter in your area. Buy a good paddlefloat,
learn proper technique, and be the one to show the locals what they don't seem
to know yet. Just a thought.


    Roger Schumann 


    ESKAPE Sea Kayaking


    (831) 427-2297.  Web Page: http://www.eskapekayak.com


    co-author Guide to Sea Kayaking Central and Northern California


    


    








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