[Paddlewise] Fw: Paddlefloat

Ken Rasmussen


kayakfit_at_fidalgo.net


www.kayakfit.com


    I've been enjoying all the responses to my original posting.  As to Sid's
challenge, I would win if and only if I had a fast electric pump.  His speed
on the T rescue is commendable.  I can do a paddle float rescue faster
(usually 30 seconds), but I've still got water in the boat.  My boat does
function well with water in the cockpit due to the sharp V hull and the bow
and stern flotation, but that is not true of most kayaks.  


    I would award the points this way:  


        Rolling is best in all respects.  


        Assisted rescues properly done, are stable, fast, and result in a dry
boat.  However a victim has little control over the expertise, proximity, or
availability of a rescuer.  


        An optimised paddlefloat rescue is faster than an assisted rescue
(except the Eskimo rescue), but still requires pumping.  The paddlefloat
rescue is less stable than an assisted rescue.  An unoptimised paddlefloat
rescue is poor in all respects.  


        Re-enter and roll, and re-enter and roll with a paddle float are fast
and stable rescues, but require the ability to roll.  Generally a person who
rolls well won't need either of these rescues, and a person who can't roll,
can't use them.


    I would like to re-emphasize that with my foam float, the paddle is
inserted into the float before the float is detached from the kayak, thus the
kayak and the float are a unit until the float and the paddle have become a
unit.  


    Great commentary, all of you!








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