[Paddlewise] Foldable Rescues

	Hi Ralph H :

	I have no particular 'downunder' techniques at self rescue.  My practice
is invariably the 'cowboy' rescue.   I like its simplicity!  No fussing
with paddlefloat or stirrup set ups.  The boat flips upright  easily, even
unloaded. I can be back in the boat literally in seconds [ with a little
boost of adrenalin!] I am 56 years old,  by the way, no spring chicken,
but with a healthy respect for the sea which comes from 45 years plus
mucking about in various boats.
	 The key is to practice in varying weather and sea conditions and with
varying loads.  In a decent sort of sea, which presumably capsizes you in
the first place, the boat is quite a different beast, as you know! 
	In these realistic  conditions,  the Klepper is usually half swamped, with
seas washing into the boat.  Sprayskirt on,  electric pump on, both hands
engaged in paddling into the sea.   I have a 800gph pump which provides the
capacity needed for a large volume boat.  I carry a one gallon collapsible
bucket, and the standard vertically operated handpump as backup.
	I spoke about inbuilt redundancy before.  I also practice paddling the
boat totally swamped.  This is, the Klepper is manageable [except in surf]
fully 'waterlogged', which has earned it U-boat status in my club!  This
implies integrity of sponsons [ the ones that come with the boat!] and
floatation bags.   This is a fun thing to do, unless it is freezing! and
you learn what it is like to paddle a boat with about six hundred pounds of
water moving along with you!  Interestingly, I have found the Klepper to be
as stable UPSIDE down, as right side up!  Again, useful knowledge in
survival.   May be other boats have similar characteristics. 
	There is a helluva difference between practising rescue techniques, be
they a roll up, re-enter and roll, or cowboy , in a decent sort of sea
state, and  in the swimming pool like conditions I see lots of folks do.  I
also carry  surf fins, in the  event of having to swim the boat in through
surf,  and I tether myself to the boat when paddling and/or sailing solo.
	So dominant is hardshell technique that in my club at least, one is NOT
qualified as a sea going kayaker unless one can demonstrate a reliable
roll.  This implies a boat of Inuit heritage, ie  designed to roll.   I
just like the idea of SURVIVING,  I don't care how!
	Just a quick word on group rescue.  The flavor of the month here is for
the rescuer to help right the rescuee's boat;  have the rescuee hold on to
her/his boat near the cockpit,  rescuer manoevre's her/his boat alongside,
facing the rescuee, and the rescuee then uses the buoyancy/stability of
both boats to swing herself/himself back into her/his cockpit. 
	I do notice a strange reluctance among hardshell kayakers to engage in
realistic gelcoat-crunching  across the deck T rescues and the like! 
	Hope you find the above interesting. That's my two cents worth.  Regards
PeterR


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