Re: [Paddlewise] Rescuing a capsized canoeist

<< Rather than throw my PFD (was she wearing it?) or extend my paddle, which 
 would almost certainly guarantee a capsize, I would have maneuvered my 
 kayak so the rescuee could grab the bow and hang on. In this case, even 
 that might not have worked; reportedly the victim was Spanish-speaking, he 
 might not have been able to follow directions in English very well. How 
 would other Paddlewisers have tried to rescue this victim? >>


   While you folks all sat around and analyzed the situation, I think I would 
probably just paddle up to the person and offer up my boat. If the person in 
the water were unable to grab hold for whatever reason then I would try to 
approach sideways so I could grab a hold of the person. I believe I could 
keep my boat upright in the ensuing chaos. If not, then I would end up in the 
water with the victim, and I would continue the rescue from there. If the 
person went under, I would most likely exit my boat anyway in an attempt to 
dive under and find them. I am a water person. I am quite capable of taking 
care of myself in or out of my boat. And whatever happened I think would be 
preferable to going through life thinking I could've done something, but 
didn't try. 

Scott
So.Cal.
***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************