RE: [Paddlewise] Pumping Out/Paddlefloat rescues

Matt said (mega-snip):
>I agree, I'm for doing what ever works best for the situation. No, I have
never tried a "good" foot pump and all the ones I have tried were slow,
awkward with my size 12's and resulted in my foot or legs cramping before I
got the boat pumped out. Does no one else have these problems with this
system? <

Oh yeah, pretty much; I once dumped purposefully in some very heavy air-sea
conditions (well out beyond the surf zone). By the time I got back in the
cockpit, and back upright, I was feeling a wee bit wobbly (tide was
outgoing, so was less than a perfectly controlled lee-shore situation) and
had a hard time relaxing. I figured if I had a wider kayak, then perhaps I'd
have felt a bit more stable; but then it occurred to me that there would be
more water sloshing about (this was a non-paddlefloat rescue practice day
for me).

Perhaps some day I'll have to try an A/B test. Anyway, foot-pumping
eventually went well, but I must admit that unless one has a fairly large
cockpit, a lot of the pumping action isn't all that ergonomic. Again, with
the smaller volume, narrow kayak, I got the water out in a reasonable time
frame. If the kayak had been of larger volume, then I would have had to pump
longer and maybe cramped up, though it would have been easier to find a more
natural pumping-action, so I don't know. Foot pumps aren't the be all and
end all, but I do think they have an appropriate place in lower-volume
kayaks with small-footed folks for those who have thought through the pros
and cons.

I attempted the experiment again a few minutes later to simulate a
subsequent capsize, as this can and does occur in real-life self-rescue
scenarios. I definitely cramped up the next time through the test. It was
much easier to just paddle the swamped kayak. I headed to shore, dumped the
boat, and went out one more time. After a quick re-enter and roll, there
didn't seem as much water in the cockpit. Paddling was easier. I headed out
to deeper and more dangerous water, and actually had a good time. Turning
the swamped boat was a huge chore though, especially in the windy breaking
whitecaps.

The bracing requirements were split-second, and this turned out to be a
great way of practicing. I think it was the following year I had the
incident off Trial Island. Once back in the kayak off Trial, it was so
rewarding to have the confidence and wherewithal to paddle back through a
wind-swept tiderace because of prior training and experience. And yes, my
legs were hopelessly cramped by then (though I'd have given the foot pump a
try if the seat-cushion hadn't wedged up against the bulkhead after
dislodging). I also doubt I'd have been much good with a hand pump either. I
can see why the Aussie's like their electric pumps. But it is all personal
choice. Matt, myself, Peter, or anyone else can only share opinion and
perhaps experience.

I can pontificate on one point that we all maybe miss once and awhile:
Especially in rough-water solo-rescue scenarios, it can be very exhausting
and taxing on both one's mental and physical reserves. As simple as most
rescue techniques are, with the complexities of on-water wind/wave dynamics,
compounding problems, permutations with gear-failure and failed
expectations -- it is good to note that thinking in an exhausted and/or
worried state is something most of us have not practiced. As a survivor of a
number of incidences over the years, all I can say is please think through
your rescue strategies, get a few workable ones down pat, and keep
yourselves out of trouble in the first place (preach it ye hypocrite :-)  ).
The resources mariners depend on aren't always there these days, what with
government cutbacks in every nation. One really need's to be self-sufficient
on their own or with their mates, whether in Canadian, Australian, U.S.
waters, or wherever.

Doug Lloyd
Victoria BC



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