John touched on a big key that I totally missed. Most rescues are solo or 2-person assisted rescues. "All-in" implies a group rescue, where both the need and opportunity for leadership arises. This can make or break the situation. Shawn --- John Fereira <jaf30_at_cornell.edu> wrote: >In the real world, an all-in condition would much more likely only involve 2-3 paddlers. ... In any assisted rescue one of those involved (typically the rescuer) would "take charge" so someone that would be leading group trip might benefit from the experience of taking charge of a rescue involving more than one person in the water, especially if that person is one of those that capsize. Yahoo! Health - Feel better, live better http://health.yahoo.com *************************************************************************** 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 07:17 AM 7/30/02 -0700, Shawn Baker wrote: >John touched on a big key that I totally missed. > >Most rescues are solo or 2-person assisted rescues. "All-in" implies a >group rescue, where both the need and opportunity for leadership >arises. This can make or break the situation. When I have been involved in teaching beginners how to do assisted rescues we demonstrate the rescue and stress the importance of taking charge and maintaining a dialog throughout the rescue. For example, approaching someone in the water that is panicking can put rescuer in jeopardy. In very cold water, an ongoing dialog would make it much easier to evaluate whether the victim may be going hypothermic. Once we've demonstrated the assisted rescue we have the students pair up. As soon as the person capsizes, we tell the rescuer "you're in charge" and then just observe and let them learn from any mistakes. After the victim is back in the boat and stable then we'll critique not only physically skill but how the rescue was managed verbally. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
I'd like to add another problem I see with the All-In-Rescue. Just how long am I supposed to spend swimming into rough seas and high winds while towing my kayak behind me to get into position before I can start hanging out in the cold water waiting my turn at rescue. Everybody that can, should do a self rescue ASAP and then go help the stragglers finish up. The only danger I see in practicing it is that it may "block" the ideas of better rescues to do in this situation. Anyone teaching it should point out the limitations and suggest the better alternatives that exist for most if not all situations where this rescue might be considered. I'm afraid in the panic and excitement of the real thing the thinking might go. Oh my god, were all in the water at the same time so what rescue should we do. The catchy name for this pool exercise just might be about all that comes to mind. As long as I have it in front of me here is what I wrote Derek about the All-In-Rescue after I had read one of his manuscripts back in the mid 80's: I was rereading your book "Sea Canoeing" (first edition) last week and wondered if the "All In Rescue" was included in this new book. If it is I wonder how this pool exercise will work in the real world where everybody is in the water 50 yards apart with a strong wind blowing. The most important thing to know would be how to get together to start the rescue. I had the same problem (of misleading the student as to the best course of action by making a big deal about information that would not likely lead to success in a situation but would more likely use up a most valuable resource -- body heat -- in trying) with all the friction fire starting methods included in the book (now "Expedition Kayaking"). I wrote to Derek in the same eight page letter: Fire by friction is beyond all but the most dedicated practitioners. If you can do it please teach me the tricks I tried many times one summer and though I improved greatly I never succeeded even with the best woods that were thoroughly dried. To include this is far worse than not mentioning it at all. A hypothermic kayaker who has just swum in from his kayak that's been lost or is out of his reach would be far better off to find himself some shelter or insulation quickly rather than waste valuable heat trying to start a fire with the bow and drill method because he read about it in your book. Most people can't start a fire with matches in a damp environment using natural materials. It would be far better to stress keeping waterproofed matches and some dry tinder on your person at all times when kayaking. The need to practice lighting a fire with only a match and materials you can find at the site should also be stressed. Perhaps the most frustrating thing about all this was that even though almost nothing in the book changed as the result of my letter, Derek included my name in the acknowledgements so it appeared as though I endorsed the book when I couldn't in good conscience do so. Oh God, its still there in the 1999 edition! YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! Matt Broze http://www.marinerkayaks.com *************************************************************************** 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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