Re: [Paddlewise] Entrapment

> >>What is different in whitewater situations vs sea-kayaking that would
make
> Eskimo rescues useful in one and not the other?
>
>    I believe that in whitewater paddling paddlers generally are in
closer
> proximity to each other since they are pretty much confined within the
width of
> the river. Whitewater paddlers also commonly rely on "spotters" to
quickly come
> to their rescue if they should get into trouble.
>

In a formal teaching situation for whitewater kayaking, there may be some
utility in the eskimo rescue, as not having to delay a class for boat
dumping is a great time-saver.  In actual recreational paddling settings,
the main use of eskimo rescues may be in a situation where a group of
people is waiting in the pool at the base of a larger/harder rapid, and
can see that someone upside down is having difficulty rolling.  Eskimo
rescues are rarely used in more difficult whitewater rapids, where
paddlers are essentially paddling solo - even with a group.

IMO, the reason eskimo rescues are not stressed in the sea kayaking
community lies mostly in the fact that it's hard - especially for
beginners - to maneuver the boat to set up for an eskimo rescue before
the rescuee runs out of air.  Whitewater boats, by their very design
pivot easily, and so it's much easier to set up an eskimo rescue if the
paddlers' proximity allows.  Having said that, there still is some
utility in eskimo rescues for sea kayakers who are learning to brace or
roll, and are being 'spotted' by a fellow paddler who is already set up
for such a rescue.

Happy 2004!
Erik Sprenne
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