John said: <<< I was wondering whether anyone had any experience using something like a Backup by RollAid (pre-inflated by mouth) or a pre-inflated paddle float as a back-up to a failed roll when doing roll practice. >>> <snip> Generally, I use the opportunity (during a rolling practice session) of a failed roll where I've run out of air or whatever to simply bail and then practice my re-enter and roll (from the upside-down position once I reinsert myself from the underwater position after orienting myself, etc.). If I'm inclined to use a backup method, I either use my solid paddlefloat or inflated float, which I keep handy, respectively, on a tether for the practice session. I don't like the paddlefloat attached to my paddle on the up-air side (non-sweep side), as it prevents normal paddle play underwater during rolling practice (such as passing the control blade from one side to another, etc.). I have to add that in the event of a failed roll during practice, or after a few failed attempts, there isn't much point to a backup device as your body is now screaming for air. In the time it takes to access the backup device, repositioning of the paddle and one more attempt to roll could also have been manipulated - so where's the cheddar here? In my experience, the backup devices (pre inflated), floats, etc., are best when utilized by the beginner roller wanting to employ methodologies to imitate rolling mechanics as per articles by Matt B. Perhaps that is one reason I gave my Backup device by RollAid back to a friend who gave me one free. Though, I think it is a good device overall. Avoiding trouble is still better. As an aside, I just got back from family camp on the island here where I spent a week on a warm, sunny, freshwater lake. Though nursing a forearm injury and overcoming dizziness symptoms from a previous medical emergency earlier this year, I was able to spend countless hours practicing and perfecting some of my rolls, while at the same time running through various scenarios -- including swim-tows, dog-paddling to distant paddle/rolling back up, deploying knives upside-down, reenter and rolls, etc. Though my sinus have yet to drain (I blew off a nose clip at an inopportune time), it was perhaps the best practice week of my life. I was able to fine-tune my off-side roll, and nail down an issue that has been responsible for a few missed rolls over the years (one's that had dire consequences). Anyway, I was also able to perform an experiment that I had been intrigued with in terms of possibilities (including perhaps an article). Unfortunately, it didn't go too well. I had bought a Mustang AirForce inflatable life jacket. While I had to use it a few months ago in a real semi-emergency, I had wanted to try deploying it while in the inverted position. With the vest on, I rolled over, then purposely failed at a few roll attempts. With little oxygen left (to simulate real-world conditions), I released the paddle (tethered, of course), and then pulled the inflator tab (easy to find and pull despite the panic for air). The vest filled with c02 immediately, and the kayak rolled predictably up to stareboard (the way I was slightly directing the kayak, as that is the side the paddle was on). The object was to see if the inflated vest would act like the RollAid device, and return at least my head to the surface where one might be able to breathe. Alas, the 35# of buoyancy located around the torso was sufficient only to keep my head 2 inches below the surface of the water, yet did not allow me to reorient for another roll attempt once I realized it wasn't going according to plan. I was able to scull back up once I had oriented my paddle, but not before the nose clip failed. I was really pushing the envelope with seconds of air remaining. Re-arm kits run $25.00 cnd. It's my second re-arm kit. This is getting expensive...but fun in a Doug Lloyd kind of way. BTW, my buddy had caught 400 pounds of crayfish, cooked in Dill Weed. MMM, MMM, good. Perhaps I weighed too much by the end of the week fot he experiment to work :-) Happy rolling. Doug Lloyd *************************************************************************** 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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