Re: [Paddlewise] Rescuing a capsized canoeist

Here is a part of story I reported in Sea Kayaker (and "Sea Kayaker's Deep
Trouble") that seems  relevant to this discussion:

Realizing that the frightened swimmer could easily capsize him, Gord stayed
ten feet away and told him (Norm) how vulnerable he was in the kayak and if
he didn't do exactly like he was told they would probably both die.  Norm
said he understood and Gord let him grab onto his bow loop.  Gord realized
later that he should have just given him some flotation to hang onto, such
as his homemade paddle float/self-rescue kit device.  Gord blew up his sea
seat (a large square air pillow that can be used like an innertube) and
described how to climb on to it.  Norm grabbed it but wouldn't let go of the
kayak to get on the sea seat.  Norm kept trying to climb up on the bow of
Gord's Seafarer to get on the sea seat.  This threatened to capsize Gord and
twice he had to push Norm off with his paddle and warn him not to do it
again.  The sea seat blew away in the light breeze so dragging Norm on the
bow Gord chased after and barely caught it.  Gord tied the line on it to
himself and had Norm try again to get on.  Norm was drunk, very heavy, and
his legs were cramping up.  He couldn't get up on the seat.

Gord began to tow Norm and the sea seat towards shore.  Norm pulled himself
forward on the line without Gord realizing it.  He was half way up on the
back deck!  Gord feared he would be tipped so he shoved Norm off with his
paddle and yelled at him that he would leave him if he didn't cooperate.
That controlled him.  Gord paddled at maximum effort for 20 minutes before
getting near shore.  But the shore was cliffy except at his camp so he had
to struggle along just offshore for another few minutes before finding the
campsite.  Norm lay in the water.  He couldn't get himself out because he
was drunk, hypothermic, and his legs were cramped.  Gord dragged him ashore
and helped him into camp.


Matt Broze
http://www.marinerkayaks.com

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