I recently learned of two separate incidents where paddlers were trapped in their kayak upon capsizing because they were wearing neoprene gloves. I talked to the near drowning victim in one of these incidents. She had been hospitalized and is alive today only because her paddling partners reached her and got her out of the kayak. She said the problem was that with the gloves on she could not feel what she was touching and could not find the grab loop to remove the spraydeck. This same lack of feeling also made it impossible for her to find and release the Velcro straps on the back of the gloves in order to take them off to free her fingers. Let me suggest that any new gear you get may have more effect on you than you can anticipate. Honestly, how many of us would realize that the addition of gloves to keep our hands warm could make it impossible for us top remove the sprayskirt, much less, the gloves themselves. Everyone should practice alternative ways to remove their spraydeck in case they inadvertently tuck in their release loop or have it fail and break loose. Some suggestions to try: Many spraydecks have the shock cord protruding from the rear where the tension can be adjusted. This can serve as an alternative grab loop. Also, try lifting your PFD by shoving your hand down inside the spraydeck through the waist tube opening and then push out to the side, palm up, just above the coaming rim with your fingertips straight to break the seal (and then lift up from the elbow and sweep your hand forward to remove the skirt). You push out to the side first because it is easier to get the shock cord to clear the cockpit where there is less of a curve. Consider using Pogies to keep your hands warm or cutting a few fingertips off your thick neoprene gloves. If you were to dislocate your shoulder (or stick one arm into the sharks mouth) you may need to be able to release the spray skirt with one hand. Practice this, try it with the grab looped tucked away too. Other alternative spraydeck removable suggestions you might have would be appreciated. Matt Broze http://www.marinerkayaks.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Are there really sprayskirts that fit so tightly that just bracing your hands on the coaming and shoving with the appropriate amount of adrenaline doesn't work?? (serious question) KeS >Everyone should practice alternative ways to remove their spraydeck >in case they inadvertently tuck in their release loop or have it fail and >break loose. _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Kevin Stevens wrote: > Are there really sprayskirts that fit so tightly that just bracing your > hands on the coaming and shoving with the appropriate amount of > adrenaline > doesn't work?? (serious question) Yes, and sometimes you need them tight so they aren't imploded by the breakers. Matt Broze http://www.marinerkayaks.com > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 3/6/01 8:32:44 PM, mkayaks_at_oz.net writes: << I recently learned of two separate incidents where paddlers were trapped in their kayak upon capsizing because they were wearing neoprene gloves.. . .big snip. . .you may need to be able to release the spray skirt with one hand. Practice this, try it with the grab looped tucked away too. Other alternative spraydeck removable suggestions you might have would be appreciated. >> We Chesapeake Paddlers have been accused of overdoing the safety "thing" but what you will see is a lot of us have whiffle golf balls, dog's toys, pieces of pvc, all kinds of things on the grab loops of our skirts. I have the bright orange balls on mine. This will seal our reputation, but before I paddle any boat I look for 3 ways out of the skirt. I do that when I set the pegs, if not before. Lean over to one side and grab the bunched fabric, use the tail Matt talked about and see if your knees will push it off. That orange ball feels odd when it is missing. I proved that last week when I was in a hurry because I was holding people up and the loop went inside. I fussed and fussed because something didn't "feel" right. I finally figured it out, fixed it, and off we went. Last year part of the $112 I spent on warm hand was a pair of gloves that keep my hands toasty, even when wet. But about 1/3 of the way through the first trip with them I had to take them off because I was increasingly aware that I would be unable to pull up a bungie cord, operate a simple thing like pulling down the zipper of my pfd if I was trapped by something stuck to it and so on. I'm VERY unsure about just pogies in cold water. If I go in with no protection or just my fingerless gloves, I really doubt I'd be in any better shape for dexterity than I was with the toasty gloves. What I have decided to do is *KICKING & SCREAMING* go to a Euro paddle, put short pogies on the shaft, and wear the Seal Skin gloves that will at least give me a few seconds before my hands are about useless. If your hands are gone you can't hold a paddle to do that reenter and roll, nor anything else that requires holding onto things. VERY scary! Joan Spinner who wants sssooooo badly for the water to get warm again *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
JSpinner_at_aol.com wrote: > I'm VERY unsure about just pogies in cold water. If I go in with no > protection or just my fingerless gloves, I really doubt I'd be in any better > shape for dexterity than I was with the toasty gloves. What I have decided to > do is *KICKING & SCREAMING* go to a Euro paddle, put short pogies on the > shaft, and wear the Seal Skin gloves that will at least give me a few seconds > before my hands are about useless. > If your hands are gone you can't hold a paddle to do that reenter and > roll, nor anything else that requires holding onto things. VERY scary! The short pogies/Seal Skin glove solution sounds like the ticket for you, Joan. I have used pogies (but with no gloves) for years, in cold water, and never had a problem with cold-induced loss of finger dexterity, in multiple wet exits. Caveat: I am one of those "warm hands" people who rarely need gloves when the weather is cold. Unless you have a medical condition (or somesuch) which makes your hands especially sensitive to cold, I suspect that if your hands quickly become useless on immersion, the problem is likely to be insufficient immersion clothing on your torso/head. This is a variant of the old saw: "If your feet are cold, put on a warm hat." When I paddle on cold water, I wear enough immersion clothing so that I am really warm while paddling. Consequently it takes a long time (at least an hour? has not happened yet) for my hands to lose function/feeling when I go in. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
From: <JSpinner_at_aol.com> > This will seal our reputation, but before I paddle any boat I look for 3 > ways out of the skirt. I do that when I set the pegs, if not before. Lean > over to one side and grab the bunched fabric, Similar to this is the "smash and grab" approach. This works for neoprene skirts. Slam your open hand down on the skirt in front of you. This will generate a fold that you grab. Then just pull the skirt up until it releases. It won't work if you press down slowly - you have to slam it. Leaning back may also create a fold behind you as well. Mike *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Matt Broze wrote: > I recently learned of two separate incidents where paddlers were trapped in > their kayak upon capsizing because they were wearing neoprene gloves. I > talked to the near drowning victim in one of these incidents. She had been > hospitalized and is alive today only because her paddling partners reached > her and got her out of the kayak. She said the problem was that with the > gloves on she could not feel what she was touching and could not find the > grab loop to remove the spraydeck. This same lack of feeling also made it > impossible for her to find and release the Velcro straps on the back of the > gloves in order to take them off to free her fingers. Many, if not most of the people I paddle with attach a ball or float to the grab loop of their spray skirt. It makes it easy to find regardless of what you have on your hands. Personally, I use a paddle biner in a tightly stitched loop, so it cannot shift around. There's no way I can miss it. -- Regards Brian *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 3/6/01 6:30:25 PM Pacific Standard Time, brian.nystrom_at_att.net writes: > . Personally, I use a paddle biner in a tightly stitched loop, so > it cannot shift around. There's no way I can miss it. > Biners work great because they are heavy enough to hang the strap straight down away from the coaming when you are inverted, making it easier to find. Also, it gives you an extra biner should you need one for towing or rescues. However, be sure to use a locking biner so that it doesn't inadvertently hook on something before you need to exit or when you're swimming, thus fulfilling its paddling moniker -- "death hook". Harold *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 3/8/01 1:12:51 AM Pacific Standard Time, teitelba_at_post.tau.ac.il writes: > Harold: > > Who makes a locking carabiner that is stainless steel, i.e., good in salt > water. I have had many carabiners that get sticky after a while, even if > you rinse them. > > Thanks, > > Josh > > I don't know. Anyone else out there have a source? This is why I replaced the biners on my vest-mounted tow system with plastic side-release buckles and removed the spare biner from my PFD or grab loop. There have been several references to Witchert (sp?) clips on this list in the past. They work with one hand, are great, very costly and available through West Marine. I think these are stainless. A good quality climbing biner in colored anodized aluminum will work for a long time if protected with Boeshield T-9 lube and religiously rinsed and worked after each use in salt water. Harold *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Another quick way to release the sprayskirt is from the side. If you just grab the side of the skirt just above your hip or 1/2 back, and give a big tug, it'll pop off. It's a sure fire release if you happen to bury the loop. Another exit that *usually* works is put a knee up thru the cockpit opening and push out. I've seen the combing part from the boat using this technique. I use a skirt with an implosion bar <SnapDragon> that is an easy release with the knee trick. Steve Alder Creek Kayak and Canoe N 45º 39' 47" 250 NE Tomahawk Isle Dr. W 122º 36' 16" Portland, OR 97217 Web: www.aldercreek.com Phone: 503.285.0464 Email: aldercreek_at_qwest.net ----- Original Message ----- From: "Matt Broze" <mkayaks_at_oz.net> To: "Paddlewise" <paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net> Sent: Tuesday, March 06, 2001 5:30 PM Subject: [Paddlewise] Safety Warning > I recently learned of two separate incidents where paddlers were trapped in > their kayak upon capsizing because they were wearing neoprene gloves. I > talked to the near drowning victim in one of these incidents. She had been > hospitalized and is alive today only because her paddling partners reached > her and got her out of the kayak. She said the problem was that with the > gloves on she could not feel what she was touching and could not find the > grab loop to remove the spraydeck. This same lack of feeling also made it > impossible for her to find and release the Velcro straps on the back of the > gloves in order to take them off to free her fingers. > Let me suggest that any new gear you get may have more effect on you than > you can anticipate. Honestly, how many of us would realize that the addition > of gloves to keep our hands warm could make it impossible for us top remove > the sprayskirt, much less, the gloves themselves. > Everyone should practice alternative ways to remove their spraydeck in case > they inadvertently tuck in their release loop or have it fail and break > loose. > Some suggestions to try: > Many spraydecks have the shock cord protruding from the rear where the > tension can be adjusted. This can serve as an alternative grab loop. Also, > try lifting your PFD by shoving your hand down inside the spraydeck through > the waist tube opening and then push out to the side, palm up, just above > the coaming rim with your fingertips straight to break the seal (and then > lift up from the elbow and sweep your hand forward to remove the skirt). You > push out to the side first because it is easier to get the shock cord to > clear the cockpit where there is less of a curve. > Consider using Pogies to keep your hands warm or cutting a few fingertips > off your thick neoprene gloves. > If you were to dislocate your shoulder (or stick one arm into the sharks > mouth) you may need to be able to release the spray skirt with one hand. > Practice this, try it with the grab looped tucked away too. > Other alternative spraydeck removable suggestions you might have would be > appreciated. > Matt Broze > http://www.marinerkayaks.com > > > *************************************************************************** > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed > here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire > responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. > Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net > Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net > Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ > *************************************************************************** > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Steve wrote: > Another quick way to release the sprayskirt is from the side. If you just > grab the side of the skirt just above your hip or 1/2 back, and give a big > tug, it'll pop off. It's a sure fire release if you happen to bury the > loop. <SNIP> I haven't found this to work very well for me. It's very hard for me to get a secure grip on the wet spraydeck outside of the coaming and my big fingers can't seem to get under the shock cord anywhere either. I certainly wouldn't find this reliable. I've talked to one guy who was trapped in his cockpit at the symposium a few years ago and he tried this as a second resort and it failed (before inventing the reach inside the skirt through the waist hole technique on the spot to rescue himself). Necessity may be the mother of invention, but I have to admire his calmness in the face of impending doom to come up with this technique at the spur of the moment without ever having heard of it before. Adding the wiffle ball was the victim's (in the original story I told) solution to the problem. I worry that the wiffle ball might break so prefer a T-stop sewn into the grabloop that will keep my hand from slipping off the end of the loop as I pull (push) it forward before lifting it up to release it. The T works even if I can't get the loop open to get my fingers inside it. Steve also wrote: > Another exit that *usually* works is put a knee up thru the > cockpit opening > and push out. I've seen the combing part from the boat using this > technique. I wouldn't want to have my life depend on poor construction of the kayak (that lets the cockpit rim break out so easily). The technique certainly is worth practicing though. Can anyone suggest a field repair to replace a break away cockpit so I can get back out through the surf to continue my solo trip in the wilderness. Matt Broze http://www.marinerkayaks.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> Are there really sprayskirts that fit so tightly that just bracing your > hands on the coaming and shoving with the appropriate amount of adrenaline > doesn't work?? (serious question) > OK, a quick story. I was teaching a class in kayak surf technique during which I mentioned that neoprene sprayskirts are really better suited for surf play then are nylon. So when the sand talk ended we prepared to launch into the surf. One couple in the class came prepared with two whitewater boats as well as two sea kayaks, not sure of which they would want to practice in. Well, they chose to use the sea kayaks. As they prepared to launch I noticed the girl was struggling a bit to get her neoprene sprayskirt on. I didn't think too much about it as it was their own equipment of which they had used before, and I assumed, they were familiar with. It turns out that this was a mistake on my part. After we launched I was working with the class moving from one student to another in order to try and give each some personal attention. At some point I hear the girls partner, you know, the one's with their own equipment, shouting at me with some urgency. I look and see that his girl friend (wife?) had capsized and obviously was having trouble exiting the boat! The boyfriend or husband or whatever was farther away then I was so I paddled like mad to reach her, then I reached under water and ripped her sprayskirt free which allowed her to exit. It turns out that with my endorsement of neoprene sprayskirts in the surf the couple had decided to use the rubber skirts from their whitewater boats, which had appreciably smaller cockpits, on their sea kayaks for this class. Something neither one of them had ever tried before. I think all three of us learned a thing or two in that class. Scott So.Cal. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Scott wrote: <SNIP> >>>>>>I look and see that his girl friend (wife?) had capsized and obviously was having trouble exiting the boat! The boyfriend or husband or whatever was farther away then I was so I paddled like mad to reach her, then I reached under water and ripped her sprayskirt free which allowed her to exit. It turns out that with my endorsement of neoprene sprayskirts in the surf the couple had decided to use the rubber skirts from their whitewater boats, which had appreciably smaller cockpits, on their sea kayaks for this class. Something neither one of them had ever tried before. I think all three of us learned a thing or two in that class.<<<<<<< Thanks for bringing that up Scott. It is not just wrong sized spraydecks that are a problem here. Spraydecks made for plastic kayak coaming rims are often way too hard to remove from a fiberglass coaming rim. Fiberglass kayaks sprayskirts often won't stay on a plastic kayaks slippery rounded coaming. It is hard to see how to remedy this problem since the spraydeck designers are trying to solve the individual problems each kind of kayak has but the solutions, biasing the remove ability in one direction or the other, can make the spraydeck a hazard when used on the wrong kayak. Maybe education about this potential hazard and a warning to everyone to try taking off any spraydeck you put on (with your eyes closed and your hands wet) might be in order. I've heard of several spraydeck removal incidents over the years besides my own. Perhaps with these new incidents its time to do a safety article for Sea Kayaker on this subject. I appreciate all the tips. The "slide the spraydeck across the coaming to make a wrinkle to grab" that Jed gave was a new one I hadn't heard of before. Thanks Jed I'll have to give it a try. Matt Broze http://www.marinerkayaks.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 3/6/01 5:27:59 PM Pacific Standard Time, mkayaks_at_oz.net writes: > Other alternative spraydeck removable suggestions you might have would be > appreciated. > The age-old technique of installing a permanent strap running from inside your cockpit to a largish ball tucked under a bunji seems a good idea. Works even if you ripped the grab loop off your skirt on any skirt/coaming combo. If the ball is large enough, you should be able to locate it with gloves on. This method was reinvented in a recent issue of Seakayaker magazine. Harold *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Somebody was marketing it a few years ago. Good idea but anything that somebody has to install on there kayak will have a limited market. For the same reason I'd like to see some easier solution to implement. Best if it is incorporated into the cockpit or spraydeck and works automatically and adds no other hazards. I can dream can't I? Matt Broze http://www.marinerkayaks.com -----Original Message----- From: HTERVORT_at_aol.com [mailto:HTERVORT_at_aol.com] Sent: Wednesday, March 07, 2001 3:43 PM To: mkayaks_at_oz.net; paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Safety Warning In a message dated 3/6/01 5:27:59 PM Pacific Standard Time, mkayaks_at_oz.net writes: Other alternative spraydeck removable suggestions you might have would be appreciated. The age-old technique of installing a permanent strap running from inside your cockpit to a largish ball tucked under a bunji seems a good idea. Works even if you ripped the grab loop off your skirt on any skirt/coaming combo. If the ball is large enough, you should be able to locate it with gloves on. This method was reinvented in a recent issue of Seakayaker magazine. Harold *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> From: "Matt Broze" <mkayaks_at_oz.net> > Subject: [Paddlewise] Safety Warning > > I recently learned of two separate incidents where paddlers were > trapped in > their kayak upon capsizing because they were wearing neoprene gloves. Thanks Matt for this insight. Teaching safe wet exits is one of my obsessions within our club. While it seems a no brainer 99.999% of the time, all it takes is one entrapment to take your life if you panic, or haven't thought through the possibility. During wet exit practice, I encourage folks to 'pretend' that their grab loop is folded under. Think through how they would handle that situation, and then try it. Leaving the grab loop exposed, but pretending it is folded under, allows them a way out in the event their alternate method doesn't work. My other wet exit peeve is the wide spread trend to wear sandals or other type of shoes that can catch easily on foot pegs. Once, it wasn't 15 minutes after my "don't wear Birkenstocks' speech that a women got hers hung up on a foot peg. Although she didn't capsize, she was visibly shaken for a bit, and it made the point for the rest of the group. Your observations on gloves is something else I will add to my class. Thanks Matt. Woody *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
At 08:28 PM 3/7/01 -0500, Robert Woodard wrote: > > From: "Matt Broze" <mkayaks_at_oz.net> > > Subject: [Paddlewise] Safety Warning > > > > I recently learned of two separate incidents where paddlers were > > trapped in > > their kayak upon capsizing because they were wearing neoprene gloves. > >Thanks Matt for this insight. Teaching safe wet exits is one of my >obsessions within our club. While it seems a no brainer 99.999% of the time, >all it takes is one entrapment to take your life if you panic, or haven't >thought through the possibility. > >During wet exit practice, I encourage folks to 'pretend' that their grab >loop is folded under. Think through how they would handle that situation, >and then try it. Leaving the grab loop exposed, but pretending it is folded >under, allows them a way out in the event their alternate method doesn't >work. Thinking about anything besides "I've got to get out of this boat and breathe" probably helps. As a member of our local college outdoor club I am often called upon to witness the mandatory wet exit at pool sessions before new members are allowed to paddle the clubs kayaks (actually, they're not given a paddle until a wet exit is demonstrated). If the new members are first time kayakers I'll explain the sequence of events in great detail, then demonstrate a wet exit. When I demonstrate mine I make sure that I am very deliberate with each step and really take my time getting out. Then I'll ask each of the new members to describe the sequence verbally. I'll make sure that they repeat each step back to me before they demonstrate their wet exit. Inevitably, what happens is someone will tip upside down and forget everything I said, and I'll witness a mad scramble to get out of the boat and breathe. When that happens, I'll make them do it again. Only after they've done a wet exit in a controlled deliberate manner are they given a paddle. For those that seemed to panic at first I'll often ask them to do another one near the end of the pool session. Last weekend I lead a pool session for the club and had everyone do a wet exit at the beginning. One woman said, "I hate this part" and I said, "that's why I'm asking everyone to do one". I told her that capsizing in a kayak is inevitable so you might as well feel comfortable doing it. Practicing a wet exit after an intentional capsize will provide the experience to keep you from going into a panic when (not if) you capsize unintentionally. Once you've unintentionally capsized and wet exited a few times you won't "hate this part" but just accept it as part of the sport. Oh, the steps that I go over go like this: 1. put your forehead to your knees. (I explain why this is very important if you're paddling potentially shallow water) 2. reach around and slap the hull three times (this has the effect of thinking of doing something else before pulling the spray skirt, and also serves a real world purpose of alerting other paddlers in your group that you've capsized) 3. move your hands toward your hips to the cockpit rim and then slide them toward the grab loop. 4. find the loop and pull toward the bow first, then away from the hull. 5. slide the fingers between the skirt and cockpit rim all the way to the back until the skirt is completely free. 6. put hands just behind the hips and somersault forward as if you're taking off a pair of pants. I realize that one does not need to go through each step to successfully wet exit but going through a series of steps seems to help people be more deliberate, and thus less likely to panic, when they tip over. One final step that is often not mentioned is to stay in contact with the boat (and paddle if you can) after exiting the kayak. If wind driven waves were responsible for an unintended capsize that same wind can quickly blow a kayak across the water faster than a human can swim. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
In the interest of looking at this from all angles, let me add what I'll call a "humane insight" to this discussion. I'm one of those "instant panic" folks, and remember well how hard it was for me to learn to roll. Took me 2 years, 30 years ago, and I still feel it whenever I turn over. I'm near 100% in the swimming pool, closer to 50% "in the wild" - panic, and not technique my biggest problem. Rather than forcing a panicked person to do this over and over again, how about giving them an alternative of lower-panic move of starting with the boat upside down, without them in it, and have them learn the re-entry and roll maneuver from this start point. I.e., have them do a reverse somersault, in the water, to get their feet and legs into the boat knowing if they got in that way, they can easily get out too. This is perhaps oversimplifying, but it's a technique I've seen Peter Kennedy use in teaching kids and adults how to roll. I.e., rather than feed the panic reflex that many of us have, teach to a solution rather than set up for failure (panic). yes, I realize your interest here is in simply seeing that people have a safe and workable wet exit, not necessarily moving on to the roll. Just adding a proposed technique here to help with the panic folks... Natalie Wiest Galveston TX -----Original Message----- From: owner-paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net [mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net]On Behalf Of John Fereira Sent: Thursday, March 08, 2001 9:40 AM To: Robert Woodard; PaddleWise_at_paddlewise.net Subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Safety Warning At 08:28 PM 3/7/01 -0500, Robert Woodard wrote: > > From: "Matt Broze" <mkayaks_at_oz.net> > > Subject: [Paddlewise] Safety Warning > > > > I recently learned of two separate incidents where paddlers were > > trapped in > > their kayak upon capsizing because they were wearing neoprene gloves. > >Thanks Matt for this insight. Teaching safe wet exits is one of my >obsessions within our club. While it seems a no brainer 99.999% of the time, >all it takes is one entrapment to take your life if you panic, or haven't >thought through the possibility. > Thinking about anything besides "I've got to get out of this boat and breathe" probably helps. As a member of our local college outdoor club I am often called upon to witness the mandatory wet exit at pool sessions before new members are allowed to paddle the clubs kayaks (actually, they're not given a paddle until a wet exit is demonstrated). If the new members are first time kayakers I'll explain the sequence of events in great detail, then demonstrate a wet exit. When I demonstrate mine I make sure that I am very deliberate with each step and really take my time getting out. Then I'll ask each of the new members to describe the sequence verbally. I'll make sure that they repeat each step back to me before they demonstrate their wet exit. Inevitably, what happens is someone will tip upside down and forget everything I said, and I'll witness a mad scramble to get out of the boat and breathe. When that happens, I'll make them do it again. [snip] *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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