[Paddlewise] Paddlefloat

Ken Rasmussen


kayakfit_at_fidalgo.net


www.kayakfit.com





"When we talk about time for a rescue shouldn't we take into account the time



to re-enter the kayak and get it "dry". A well executed assisted rescue can


be done in less than a minute - and you have a dry boat. I don't think one


can do a paddle float rescue and pump the boat out in that time.


Particularly in choppy water.





I seriously question the viability of the paddle float rescue in other than


fairly calm conditions. Whenever I teach this I emphasize this. I have also


taken to introducing  people to a re-entry and roll with a paddle float,


which I think has more applicablility in choppy waters."


 


    In response to Sid Stone's comments (see above), I wouldn't dream of
disagreeing.  I roll.  I wish everyone would.  I also re-enter and roll,
though I've never needed to--the roll has always worked.  Sometimes I have
resorted to an extended paddle roll, which never seems to fail me.  The roll,
and the re-enter and roll take less effort and require less balance than any
other rescues.  However, everyone doesn't roll.


    The assisted rescues are nice because the boat can be emptied, and the
assistance is reassuring, and two boats are more stable than one water-filled
one, BUT, the victim of a capsize can't always count on a highly skilled
rescuer, or even any rescuer.


    A very well worked out paddle float rescue is faster than any assisted
rescue except the Eskimo rescue, and it doesn't require outside intervention.



    No paddler who doesn't roll and brace well is well defended, but I know an
awful lot of very nice people who would be sad if we told them they didn't
belong on the water.  As a former kayak shop manager, I know to what extent
people are counting on the paddle float rescue.  I think they are fooling
themselves with wishful thinking.  That is why I'm interested in exposing the
low level of the rescue as it is normally practiced.  I'm also hoping that in
the course of going to the pool to practice, that people will learn assisted
rescues, and elevate their goals to include rolling and bracing.  I think the
roll ought to be the minimum standard, but it ain't gonna happen.  What can
happen for certain, is that we can influence people to improve their skills.
I can't point to paddler "Bob", and say, "I will get him to learn to roll",
but I have pushed numerous people in the direction of safety--towards
practice, lessons, and immersion clothing.  I have started a kayak club.  I
have written articles promoting safety.  I have taught rolling and rescue
skills.  I have gotten people to fit their kayaks to themselves.  So, one can
move people in the direction one wants them to go.  They won't all go all the
way, but some of them will move in the right direction.  If a lot of us
promote kayak safety, a lot of people will become safer.











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