[Paddlewise] Double fatality, double kayaks, are you using sea socks???

on 9/26/00 7:47 AM, Doug Lloyd at dlloyd_at_telus.net wrote:

snip
> We have had some here on the west coast too. I've just finished Part One
> of an article on hypothermia for the CPA Newsletter, and I touch on the
> "double-trouble" issue. Perhaps I can send it to PW in the near future,
> after the issue comes out. Essentially, a pair of solo double paddlers
> can easily rescue a their double, normally, but the conditions that
> would cause a double to go over would require more time and skill to
> effect a rescue, in the conditions likely to flip such vessel. Without
> proper immersion apparel, in a weather tide situation, it would be
> difficult indeed.
snip

Having owned two double sea kayaks and having some experience practicing
rescues in them I would not say that recovery from a capsize of a double is
easy.  The volume of water is huge compared to a single kayak and a swamped
double will sit deep down in the water near the coaming making it very
difficult to manage a recovery.  Bailing in rough water can be impossible.

If you read the book, "Deep Trouble" by Matt Broze and George Gronseth you
will find at least four stories about accidents in double kayaks.  Page 105
has a report on a double fatality in Prince William Sound, Alaska.  Two
brothers were in a double and capsized when they encountered a tide rip in
40 to 45 knot winds.

If you are paddling a double in cold water then you should be using sea
socks!!!!  Go to page 148 and read what Matt Broze has to say on this
subject.  It takes a little while to get used to a sea sock but it's worth
the hassle.  I use one in my single skin boat, along with bow and stern
float bags.  

We will never know the details of this recent tragic accident in which two
young men died but if you read the following three stories from "Deep
Trouble" you will a have pretty good idea of the nightmare they experienced.

Page 12, Drifting with he Current
Page 146, Ferry Rescue in the San Juans
Page 155, Rosario Strait Rescue

The victims in these accidents survived but in some cases were very close to
dying from hypothermia with core temperatures in the 80 degree (F) range and
one individual had a core temp. of 77 degrees.  Read these stories and see
what it's like to try to recover from a double kayak capsize.

The same story keeps repeating, with slight variations, as it has with these
two college students.  A double kayak, no emersion clothing, usually no VHF
radio, currents, wind, no sea sock, capsize, failed recovery, hypothermia,
if no rescue within 50 t0 60 minutes- death.  I don't have any information
on if the two college students had sea socks but I would be surprised if
they did because I hardly ever see anyone use them.  If only they would have
had dry suits, a VHF radio, and sea socks their chances of survival would
have been so much greater.

If you paddle a double in cold water, get sea socks.  Use them.  Do you have
friends that use a double?  See if you can talk them into getting sea socks.

Rex
    

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