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

From: Doug Lloyd <dlloyd_at_telus.net>
Date: Wed, 27 Sep 2000 07:10:37 -0700
Rex Roberton wrote:

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

Rex, that was kind of my point. Rescuing a double in summer in choppy, but not
too terrible conditions, is actually very easy. You know the routine: one person
gets in the stern while the bow paddler in the water stabilizes the craft. Then
the stern paddler braces, while the bow paddler gets in. There are variations,
but I've seen people who are "experienced" get back in very quickly indeed. Your
point about sea sock is well taken. Heck, all your points are well taken. You
gave a list of gear which it sounds like these guys didn't have. Perhaps they
should not have been out in the conditions they had encountered in the first
place, assuming it was a simple case of capsize in rough conditions.

We lost a couple off Victoria in a Klepper a few years ago. I know for a fact
the couple did not have a lot of rescue skills. Their friends also said they
were kind of reckless. Recklessness comes in many forms, and the line between
adventure and irresponsibility is a fine one, ameliorated somewhat by
preparation, skill development, and carrying proper gear like sea socks, etc.

Over the years, I've seen a lot of "action" out on the water, including numerous
weather tide situations. I've seen groups of single kayak kayakers, scarred to
death (as a group, even). Though the number of solo doubles I've run across are
few, the individuals in these doubles always seemed a lot less worried and felt
a lot safer - and were actually enjoying themselves. Some of them were more
experienced than others, for sure, but I always feel like they were an accident
waiting to happen. Thanks for your advice Rex. next time I meet such people,
I'll remember your post, and mention the sea sock, etc., rather than just shake
my head.

BTW, it was Ken Fink who mentions every year at the PT Symposium, the easabiliyt
of a solo double rescue in his talk on oceanography and sea conditions. I took
him to task on the point last time I attended.

Enjoy your skin boat with your inner body condom, Rex :-)

BC'in Ya
Doug Lloyd

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Received on Wed Sep 27 2000 - 07:15:53 PDT

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