Re: [Paddlewise] Bad advice on paddle float rescue

Rex wrote:

> Rule #1 when you capsize and wet exit it to NEVER let go of the
kayak.  Slip
> one arm under a deck line (this is what perimeter lines are for) so
you can
> have both hands free and still have a hold on the kayak.  The wind can

> easily blow a kayak away faster than a person can swim to catch it.
>

Jack responded:

...are you sure that you want to loop an arm under the
perimeter lines while you rig a paddlefloat?  If the wind is blowing,
what's
to keep it from rolling the boat --- and you --- a couple of times,
...snip

Good to hear from you Jack. Hope you are getting out in that Pintail as
much as you should be. Hey, I agree with you in part regarding the arm
entanglement issue, but do remember, the trouble with all illustrations
and advice is that it is often "condition dependent". In light winds,
securing attachment in that manner as a precautionary principle might be
well appropriate. In breaking seas, sticking a leg in the cockpit while
the boat is inverted might just be the better answer. In tests that I
performed preparing for the in depth (pardon the pun) article on float
rescues done for SK Magazine, the "leg-in" methodology had its draw
backs too,  in steep seas. I often just lurch over the hull. Geesh, on
the west coast here, just blow up one of them inflatable fmale dolls,
and you'll have 20 fishing boats zero in on you in seconds! 8-) Or just
use anti-suicide sponsons.

Unfortunately, there are no pat answers. So much depends upon the type
of lines you have, the conditions present, how "fixed" the hold downs
are, level of difficulty placing the blade under the deck lines (float
on first vs float on after securing paddle to deck); and all this in
relation to keeping contact with the kayak. Most paddlers haven't got a
clue with respect to these variables in real life conditions (not
PW'ers). That is part of the reason so many folks experience failure
while others consider them such an unsafe device -- which is
unfortunate. The actual float (inflatable or foam) isn't the problem,
but the lack of _intimate_ practice in chaotic sea states is.

Anyway, I applaud Rex for noticing the initial incongruities, but thumbs
down to anybody suggesting pat answers -- especially ones that smack of
a particular Association or Union's (etc.) way of always doing it. I'll
crawl back into my "pink" hole now (my wife has me currently renovating
the entire house with deep-pink painted walls and new snow-white crown
moldings). Life will never be the same I fear.

PS Matt is off PW for a bit with legal matters. I miss his measured
remarks too.

doug (pink stinks) lloyd


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