Re: [Paddlewise] BackUp Roll Aid (was self-righting devices)

Peter Treby <ptreby_at_ozemail.com.au> wrote:

> ...
> Be very interested to hear of experiences with the roll-aid.

I have used the roll-aid "BackUp" device. While it is not without its
faults (which I discuss below), I find it to be vastly superior to any
wet-exit and reentry system. Of course it is not quite as good as an
"unassisted" roll, since it requires the use of an additional piece of
equipment which then needs to be stowed. But it does provide a good
"back up" for a roll (allowing one to roll "back up"--get it?), and it
is also useful for people who have not yet learned how to roll. As the
manufacturer stresses, however, the device should not be used as an
excuse not to learn how to roll.

The Good:

It is extremely simple to roll with the device. The last time I went out
to practice rescues I had along a friend who does not know how to roll.
The first time he tried the BackUp device he came right up, even though
he did every thing wrong (weak hip snap, lifted his head first, etc.).
The bag provides the flotation of several paddle floats, so it is like
rolling up while hanging onto a dock. It is very easy to inflate -- just
grab the handle and pull.

The Bad:

(1) When pulling the handle, the device inflates by means of a pin which
is driven into the CO2 cartridge and then retracts, leaving a hole
through which the compressed gas flows into the bag. Unfortunately the
pin often becomes stuck in the cartridge and does not retract. The bag
will still inflate (since the pin is hollow), but the inflation takes
much longer to occur. If you are already out of breath from attempting a
couple of rolls, it can be quite annoying to wait for the bag to inflate.
On the positive side, you do not have to wait for the bag to inflate all
of the way, since it has much more buoyancy than is required (if you have
any technique at all). While the manufacturer claims that such pin
extraction failures are rare, in my practice sessions I find that they
occur about a third of the time.

(2) Unless you make some modifications, it is extremely inconvenient to
paddle with the bag once it is inflated. The inflated bag is very large
--much larger than it needs to be (see comments above). This is not much
of a problem if the bag is stored against the deck immediately behind
you. Unfortunately, it comes with an attachment clip on the end of a
very long tether. If you use it the way it comes from the manufacturer,
the long tether means that it will drag in the water and blow around,
sometimes creating noticeable drag on one side, sometimes interfering
with your stroke. The solution is to re-tie the clip next to the bag
(rather than on the end of the tether), and to install a d-ring (or
alternative attachment point) on the rear deck just behind the coaming.
You can then clip the bag against the deck, which keeps it out of the
way. (Well, it is out of the way unless you do a lay-back roll--does
anyone still do that? :-))

The other disadvantages are obvious--another piece of equipment to carry,
loss of deck "real estate", etc.

The Ugly:

Because it is so easy to roll up with the device--even with poor
form--it may cause some to become reliant on it, never developing a
proper roll. The manufacturer wisely warns against this, but human
nature being what it is, the device will provide some with yet another
excuse not to learn how to roll.

On balance, I strongly recommend carrying the device, unless you are
sure that your roll will never fail, or unless you always paddle in
benign conditions. While certainly not "fail safe", it does provide a
useful addition to one's repertoire of rescue techniques. 

Finally, I should mention that some people use a solid paddle float as a
roll aid. This may provide a good alternative to the BackUp. Paddle
floats have less buoyancy, but the BackUp's size is overkill for most
paddlers. There are some obvious advantages to a solid paddle float. The
main disadvantage to a solid paddle float is that it typically takes up
more space than the BackUp, which most of us would need to inflate only
rarely (if ever). The BackUp is quite compact when tucked away in its
cylinder.   

I hope this helps.

Dan Hagen
Bellingham, Washington
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