Ken Rasmussen kayakfit_at_fidalgo.net www.kayakfit.com It is my observation that the paddle float rescue is potentially a very quick rescue when skillfully done in the manner shown in the Performance Sea Kayaking Video (I think that is where I learned it--please correct me if I'm wrong). They show the rescue being done without using rigging to secure the paddle, and with the paddler coming up aft of the cockpit. I tried it that way, and found it perfectly easy, and distinctly faster, so I've adopted the method. I've never taken the paddle float rescue seriously though, because I couldn't imagine myself bobbing around blowing up a float, or carrying a solid foam float on my deck. I recently made a solid foam float that is 12.5" x 9.5" x 5", less some contouring and rounding, for a total volume of about 530 cubic inches. I carry it under the rear deck rigging, and secure it with a fastex buckle. Because it is thick, it can be relatively small, and still have adequate volume. It is contoured to fit the deck, and upholstered, and out of the way. It looks sharp, weighs little, stays in place when car topping the boat, and there is no reason not to carry it. I leave the float under the deck rigging when inserting the paddle. I unsnap the buckle and withdraw it from the rigging after it is on the paddle. That way I don't have to keep track of the boat, the float and the paddle when doing a rescue--the boat and the float are one unit until such time as the float and the paddle become one unit. My time, from capsize, to being back in the cockpit ready to brace, is about 30 seconds. I still need to pump and reattach the skirt--though my particular kayak (Eddyline Falcon) is stable and usable when full of water. The rescue is obviously inferior to a roll, but faster than an assisted rescue, though not as secure. I'm getting interested in teaching and popularizing it because so many paddlers are counting on the paddle float rescue, and they generally take a looooong time doing it, which makes it very hazardous in cold water. Part of my plan for promoting it is to have a paddle float rescue contest annually at our club picnic. I'm also planning to put photos and descriptive text on my wife's website when I can find the time. Ken *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************Received on Mon Nov 19 2001 - 19:34:54 PST
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