RE: [Paddlewise] How would you deal with the following situation

Mark wrote:

> I agree with the notion of paddling to them and trying to 
> calm them to the
> point that they could hold on to the kayak.  If possible, I 
> would paddle
> slowly to the dock.  If not, I would use some communication 
> method to summon
> additional help.  I might throw them my PFD, if I was close 
> enough that I
> *knew* I could swim to shore if I had to.  I might try to 
> inflate a paddle
> float and throw them that.  But I would not get out of the 
> boat voluntarily.
> 

(climbing up on my stump)
  
  The key thing here, I think, is that if you're dealing with a panicked
non-swimmer they won't be calm until they get hold of something that floats
- you/your kayak.  A fully inflated paddlefloat is good flotation - but
devilishly hard to throw accurately, especially in the wind.  Once the
victim has hold of your boat all bets are off as to what can happen - I
wouldn't let anyone grab my boat while I was in it without being fully
prepared to bash'em in the face/chest/arms with the paddle to get them off
if they began to make the situation precarious (and at that point you're
dangerously close to becoming a possible victim yourself).

  People drown every year - and every year well-intentioned, but unskilled,
rescuers drown too.  Happened right here earlier this year - Mom loved her
child who was drowning, Mom died too.  A single death is a tragedy, two
doubly so.  The only reason that most paddlers in this position should even
_begin_ to consider making a rescue attempt in a situation like this is
because they have a large floating object - not necessarily a stable one,
but floating.

  If you're the only chance of immediate rescue for the victim you have to
make a quick decision -  to help or not.  It's not easy - I once watched
helplessly from the beach as my brother was pummeled in 8 ft clapotis waves
as a strong current pulled him toward some dangerous rocks that would likely
have killed or severely injured him - fortunately he made it, but I _knew_
that I couldn't help him and that it would only make things worse by trying
(we're both very strong swimmers and had been swimming competitively for 12+
years at that time).  The decision shouldn't be made out of nobility or love
or any other emotion - it should be made logically based on what you know
you can do.  It won't do anyone a single iota of good if you die trying.

  A panicked, thrashing victim is not going to calm down and begin treading
water when they see you approach - if they could do that they wouldn't be
panicked.  They stay panicked sometimes even when you grab them in the water
and support them.  I never had to punch anyone, but I have had to apply
enough pressure around a neck to make someone stop fighting me.

  If you give them your boat and you're in it they basically own the boat.
If they start to crawl up on it and threaten to cause a capsize you'll have
two options - beat them off the boat (they will not reason logically right
then<grin>) or abandon ship - and at that point you may be dangerously close
to them.

  Giving up a boat to a panicked swimmer is definitely taking a risk - no
doubt about that at all.  __Don't do it if you can't make shore by
yourself__.  Letting you and your boat come in contact with a panicked
swimmer could become more than merely risky.  Before you get in a position
like this ask yourself a question - what would you be able to do if someone
much bigger and stronger grabbed you around the neck with both hands and
began shoving you under water.

  These scenarios, while worthwhile exercises for the discussion and the
thoughts generated, leave so many holes that we as a group cannot come up
with the one best answer.  If it's a 95 lb woman or boy in the water I'd let
them grab my kayak and attempt to paddle to safety - they could not over
power me.  If it's a 250 lb guy and I'm not trained -  well, I would not
want them grabbing my kayak with me in it.

Dave Seng
dismounting my stump
Juneau, Alaska

***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not
to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************