Re: [Paddlewise] Entrapment

Mr. Scott posted (snip):
>>I personally do not consider the Eskimo rescues to be viable options<<

While an overrated rescue for sure, the opinion you express is, as stated,
namely your personal one. I certainly know enough paddlers who would
advocate the Bow Rescue as a basic technique -- even for sea kayakers. And
that, from paddlers here in colder waters than those off So Cal.

>>I have posted challenges on other lists to those folks who seem to believe
that the Eskimo rescues are real and asked them to capsize, without warning,
during a group paddle and see if they can wait long enough hanging in their
boat until someone comes along and rescues them with an Eskimo rescue. So
far I have had no takers.<<

Maybe know one like responding to your e-mails.

>>By the same reasoning I have always felt that the practice of banging on
one's hull while capsized, to attract attention, is likewise a frivolous
pursuit. This may work in whitewater, but not in the typical sea kayaking
scenario.<<

I've often wondered if the Inuit, et al, banged on their seal-skin hulls
while awaiting rescue (for those unable to roll for whatever reason).
Obviously, these paddlers of yesteryear were often sealed into their
respective cockpits, leaving the Eskimo Bow Rescue as a reasonable
alternative.

Also, I prefer to keep the sea kayak/recreational touring techniques
non-distinctive from whitewater methods/practices. Why draw an arbitrary
line between the two? Yes, we can get into the minutia of detail (as some
have done) with the differences as applied to rescues, but I'd rather
utilise as much as possible from all paddling pursuits.

>>As for the Hand of God Rescue, I have had several occasions to perform
this. Most of the time it is not a matter of entrapment, but one panic...Of
course, as I have stated before on this list, I do not really consider kayak
entrapment in a sea kayaking scenario to be much of a real threat either. I
suppose it could happen. But even in Mr. Lloyds article in Sea Kayaker
Magazine there were a lot of "what i'f's" with very little actual substance.
The most basic common sense would seem to be all that is really required
here.<<

No one ever claimed it was a "real threat" as in something that happens all
the time. My article justified and rationalized the concern, highlighted the
potential risks, underscored the issues of panic and common sense, and
clearly illustrated the matter with a cornucopia of real, anecdotal
accounts --- many in the first person. I don't mind your personal opinion
that entrapment is a minor concern, but I do mind it when you dis an article
(mine or anyone else) that you claim lacks content when in fact that is
patently not the case.

As for what if's, I think this is what makes a paddler much safer. By
playing the "what if game," combined with, yes, common sense, you employ a
synergistic strategy for most significant safety concerns. But what are we
going to do with poor Scott, knocked unconscious by a wave in the impact
zone, with no PFD. The other paddler tries to haul him up with the HOG
rescue, but can't get a grip on his slick drytop?  :-)

Doug Lloyd
Victoria BC
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