Re: [Paddlewise] wet exits/entrapment

I also agree and haven't been to beginners instructions that did not
include a pretty thorough spray deck release/wet exit portion of the
lesson.  
I am very interested in the thoughts about approaching a panicked person
in the water.

gabriel

Bob Volin wrote:
> 
> I agree this is a good policy, Chuck.   Another approach is to issue loosely
> fitting spray skirts so that (a) removal in the prescribed way is easy, and
> (2) the skirt will fall off the cockpit in a capsize.
> 
>     Bob V
> 
> <snip> It is my policy, wether teaching novices or taking "guests" out for a
> > first paddle, to NEVER allow them to use a spray skirt without first
> > demonstrating command and comfort in executing wet exits first
> > without and then with spray skirts. These exercises are done in a
> > situation where an instructor is standing nearby the the student in
> > position to assist the student if they panic or fail for any reason
> > to exit the boat.
> >
> > If conditions are such that we can not initially do such wet exit
> > training but must paddle to work on strokes and rescues--- THEN THE
> > STUDENTS PADDLE without spray skirts. We never break this rule.
> > Students always wear PFDs, of course.
> >
> > Demonstrations of wet exits on land are not, in my opinion, ever
> > sufficient to allow students to skip the capsize drills in the water.
> <snip>>
> > Am I the only instructor following this practice?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Chuck Sutherland
>
-- 
¤   Gabriel L Romeu  
¤                                                    
http://studiofurniture.com    +   /diary   or  +   /paint

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