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. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Ken wrote: <<< 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.>>>> OK. Challenge Time! Let's have a contest. Someone does a well executed paddlefoat rescue. I will do an assisted T rescue. I can do the "t" rescue in 45 to 60 seconds with the "victim" in a dry boat. Can someone doing a paddlefoat rescue get the float inflated and on the paddle and then into the boat in that time? And how about the dry boat. Now, I am not professing people do not practice and understand the paddlefloat rescue. It is another tool in the rescue toolbox. My concern is that people must understand its limitations - particularly in choppy conditions. Let me know when you want to do the "rescue race". best wishes and a happy Thanksgiving to all paddlers and their families sid *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
At 06:40 AM 11/21/01 -0800, Sidney Stone wrote: >OK. Challenge Time! >Let's have a contest. Someone does a well executed paddlefoat rescue. I will >do an assisted T rescue. >Let me know when you want to do the "rescue race". > >best wishes and a happy Thanksgiving to all paddlers and their families > >sid OK let paddle solo and you do a T rescue, with who?, or what if you are with some one and they are a ways away from you and you dump and can't hold your breath long enough for them to get to you. If you dump it is because of some thing you did wrong no matter what, you didn't brace well enough even if the wave is to big. So lets try not to fall over by having better skills like bracing that become automatic and still practice rescues so when all else fails. Just my opinion and I am sticking to it :) Dana http://www.fska.org/ *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Less then 3 should never be. ;-) JFF OK let paddle solo and you do a T rescue, with who?, or what if you are with some one and they are a ways away from you and you dump and can't hold your breath long enough for them to get to you. If you dump it is because of some thing you did wrong no matter what, you didn't brace well enough even if the wave is to big. So lets try not to fall over by having better skills like bracing that become automatic and still practice rescues so when all else fails. Just my opinion and I am sticking to it :) Dana http://www.fska.org/ *************************************************************************** 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/ *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
At 11:29 AM 11/21/01 -0800, Joe Federici wrote: >Less then 3 should never be. ;-) > >JFF In a perfect world you wouldn't need a rescue, and if I didn't paddle solo I would loose half my paddling time. You can be safe paddling solo, you are a lot more carful and don't take as many chances as you would knowing help is near Dana http://www.fska.org/ *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Sid said: "I can do the "t" rescue in 45 to 60 seconds with the "victim" in a dry boat. " I would agree with the idea that someone who has experience with assisted rescues can get a wet paddlers back in there boat faster then a paddle float. The only time I really use my float is when showing students how to use them so speed isn't an issue. More importantly I find most people who do carry and use them don't use any type of a tether on them. If you've ever practiced using one when it's windy you'll find a blown up paddle float can really MOVE across the water once inflated. JFF *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Sidney Stone wrote: > > Let's have a contest. Someone does a well executed paddlefoat rescue. I will > do an assisted T rescue. I can do the "t" rescue in 45 to 60 seconds with > the "victim" in a dry boat. Can someone doing a paddlefoat rescue get the > float inflated and on the paddle and then into the boat in that time? And > how about the dry boat. 10 bucks on Sid. But...when I go out solo, I take a paddlefloat. -- Steve *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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