[Paddlewise] Safety

I have only a small amount of kayaking experience, compared to most people on
this list, but I have learned a few things ("the hard way") in the past 2
years and thought I'd pass them on in hopes of preventing someone else from
making the same (costly) mistakes. First mistake was to buy a really good PFD,
meaning a very high flotation model with several pockets and attachment points
on the front. This particular model has a double thickness of flotation foam
in the front panels and single in the rear. The theory is that you will float
"face up" because of this configuration. I tried it, and it works very well.
After attaching a knife and whistle to the tabs and putting a compass, candy
bars, camera, etc. in the pockets, making the front even bulkier, I tried to
do a paddlefloat re-entry and couldn't! All that junk on the front, plus the
extra foam (plus a few extra inches around my middle) made it impossible to
get back into the boat. Even an assisted rescue was difficult. I cringe every
time I hear people talk about how much they carry in the pockets of their PFD
or paddling jacket.  The second lesson came the same evening when I discovered
that "bungy cord" is not a good anchor material for the paddle when doing
paddlefloat re-entry's ...., way too flexible. It allows the paddle to wander
around fore and aft, and the boat to roll, when you put your foot on the
paddle shaft. Also, the location of the bungy cords is critical and I find
that the boats that have the bungy's located close to the rear of the cockpit
make it even more difficult to pull yourself up and over the rear deck with
the paddle blade in the way. One thing that did work out very well was the
application of clear plastic sheet to high-wear areas of my fiberglass boat.
This is the stuff that is used to make graphics on the side of cars and
trucks, only it's clear, thus virtually invisible. A couple strips where the
paddle goes under the bungy's has prevented any damage to the gelcoat in this
area. I have also installed it under the other bungy cords to protect the deck
surface when the bungy's are used to secure gear on the deck. I'd like to
thank everyone on this list for providing numerous other "tips" which have
improved my safety and comfort levels immensely.


Ron - Rochester, MN 



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