RE: [Paddlewise] Bow Lift Rescue

Peter Treby [mailto:ptreby_at_ozemail.com.au] wrote:
>
>
> Matt writes:
>> "the bow lift rescue should be practiced because in certain situations it
>> can be a lot faster
>> than a pump at emptying the water. The problems with it are that
>> it is both boat and conditions specific."

> Isn't the big problem that you are clowning around in the water
> wasting time
> doing it? You empty the boat using a bow lift, right the boat, the waves
> that capsized you in the first place fill the cockpit again, and you are
> still in the water getting colder and less coordinated as time
> goes on. Why
> didn't you spend your valuable hypothermia-unaffected minutes getting back
> into the boat and pumping out? Deep Trouble.

Since you are going to deploy your paddlefloat anyway that is not adding any
time. If the kayak is empty and the seas aren't extreme (so the cockpit is
unlikely to refill on entering it) the bow lift or stern push can be done in
a short period of time (and save you a long pump out sitting in cold water).
You also might possibly be in an area you would like to move away from as
quickly as possible. I'd say it's well worth learning these dump out methods
but keep in mind the limitations so you aren't wasting time in cold water
trying them at a time and place (or with a kayak or gearload) where they
aren't likely to succeed.
Some kayaks have enough freeboard that they aren't likely to take on as much
water while reentering the cockpit as others do. With a fixed outrigger and
paddlefloat stabilizing the kayak to the wave face it would take some very
rough seas to swamp them again while you were setting up the outrigger and
reentering. Like I said, this is a very boat specific and condition specific
rescue but in the right situation it could be the best option. It is not
however the one I would teach first. A new paddler needs to learn the rescue
that is the most reliable in the widest range of conditions. One that works
with the widest assortment of kayaks and with the least required skills or
courage required (knowing how to roll or just putting your head back
underwater--as with the Reenter & Roll for example). I think the rescue best
fitting that criteria is an outrigger paddlefloat and pump out. Since some
rescues will work better than it with certain kayaks or under certain
conditions they also should be learned but a strong emphasis needs to be put
on the downsides of any rescues so the capsized new paddler won't waste a
lot of time and heat trying to do the impossible (because they didn't
understand the limitations). An instructor should encourage learning a wide
variety of rescues and promote the Eskimo roll as the best rescue once
capsized and bracing to prevent capsizing as another essential skill one
should learn early on.

Matt Broze
http://www.marinerkayaks.com



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