I. Experience with "hands of god" and "eskimo" rescues II. Difference between white water and sea kayaking III. The illusion of safety IV. Promoting safe practice in the sea kayaking community I. Experience with "hands of god" and "eskimo" rescues Congratulations to Dave for his interest in learning safe paddling skills. I wish there were more paddlers like him around here! ;-) I have performed and seen used both "hands of god" and various "eskimo" rescues in both whitewater and "in conditions" sea kayaking contexts. I'm sure there are many other paddlers who can claim similar experience. In my experience, panic has invariably been the main cause of entrapment, although I have seen several gut-wrenching instances of calm people getting temporarily tangled up in loose lines or gear stuffed between their legs. In one case the river knife holster of a swimmer captured a sea kayak deck line of a capsizing boat during a botched rescue (yikes!), and in another a strap loop on a pfd snagged a deck-mounted bilge pump handle. Sometimes panicking paddlers arch their back so strongly that it locks them into the cockpit, making it hard to pull them out of the boat. Yes, I found "hands of god" challenging to learn, but, Lord, where would I have been without it. I would consider swimming out of the boat to rescue someone only as a last resort. In each of the lifeguard training courses I have taken, there was emphasis on a variant of the following mantra: "Talk. Throw. Reach. Row (or Paddle). Go (ie - swim)." Don't put yourself in danger. Switching roles from rescuer to victim helps no one. >From what I've seen, the "eskimo" (bow, paddle, etc) rescues have limited utility with paddlers who have panicked after capsizing, but work better when there's a lot of motivation for a calm paddler to stay in the boat, for example a teaching situation, cold water, or the potential for an exciting swim over rocks or through big waves. These rescues also have pedagogical benefits, which several on this list have already discussed. Do I practice these rescues with my buddies? You bet! Do I sometimes capsize without warning and ask for a bow rescue (by waving my arms around), and encourage my buddies to do the same? Yes. Are all rescues timely? No, of course not. But things generally go better the second time. And the third, and fourth, ... II. Difference between white water and sea kayaking There has been some discussion of white water rescues being inherently different than sea kayak rescues because of constraints in the physical environment and boat design. No doubt. However, I would like to suggest that the greatest differences in rescue practice are due to such human factors as attitude and perception. Is there any reason that sea kayakers are inherently less able to keep in tune with their group, paddle close together, assign spotters at hazards, or practice rescues. Of course not! And any whitewater paddler can attest to the fact that safe practice is not universally observed on rivers ... not by a long shot. III. The illusion of safety I believe that one of the main differences between average whitewater and sea kayakers is the perception of risk. A whitewater paddler gets constant reinforcement of the reality of hazards in the environment: eddy lines to capsize over, rocks to bump into or get pinned on, waves to toss you, and cold water to chill you. Even the youngest, most rebellious, anti-authoritarian, risk-seeking whitewater boaters I have seen always where a helmet, pfd, and spray skirt on a river, and wouldn't dream of paddling without flotation in their boats. I would go so far as to say that I have perceived an ethos in the whitewater community of supporting, even pressuring, others to learn to roll, perform "eskimo" rescues, surf, swim in whitewater, and develop group consciousness. On the other hand, for many sea kayakers kayaking may be secondary to enjoying nature, socializing, or getting away from it all. More power to them! However, they might not be as focussed on identifying and avoiding environmental hazards, or gaining paddling skills. Such people might choose to paddle in warm, calm conditions most of the time, and may pick a very stable boat with a rudder so they can get by without learning to control it with their paddle or body. After several times out many come to believe that capsizing is very unlikely, and so don't seriously consider the consequences. There is often no immediate feedback that the environment contains significant hazards, some deadly. Five years ago I was a whitewater kayaker intent on taking up sea kayaking, and had an arrogant lack of respect for 'flatwater' paddlers and paddling. While planning a November kayak tour of Acadia National Park, I had the good fortune to be brought up short by a Maine outfitter who, not being particularly careful to promote my self esteem, rather bluntly informed me that he wasn't going to rent me the boats, and that perhaps I should learn something about the ocean and sea kayaking before I got myself and my friends killed. This rude fellow started a transformation of my paddling life. Since then I've taken dozens of sea kayak courses which have allowed me to: meet skillful, safety-conscious instructors and students; confidently paddle in a variety of conditions; see remote places; climb out of my plateau as a wobbly class II white water 'yaker; enjoy the total thrill of getting maytagged (wash, rinse, and spin cycle) by 8 foot "flatwater" waves in 16 foot boats; and become a contract kayak instructor at a university. I owe a huge debt to those instructors and fellow students who have shared their wisdom and experience so that I could learn at least some of my lessons without foolishness and peril. They allowed me to work through some of those "what-if's" without my life being on the line. IV. Promoting safe practice in the sea kayaking community So, what to do? Like many (most?) of the folks posting to this list, I'm frustrated by the lack of safe sea kayaking practice I observe in many (most?) of sea kayakers I have met on the water. In the past year, I have had too many opportunities to reflect on the fact that I would probably feel safer running a class IV rapids or playing in 8 foot surf in a snowstorm than I do right now, paddling with "experienced paddlers" who rarely practice rescues, and whose dress, gear, and behavior announce louder than words that they, despite a lack of competent bracing skills, will never capsize. So, what should I do? Only paddle with people with similar skills and safety consciousness? That would be pretty limiting, and would be avoiding what I feel is my moral obligation to promote a safe paddling ethos in the sea kayak community. I've made a New Years Resolution. This summer I'll paddle at least once with friends who are willing to get wet long enough to do a wet exit and perform a self rescue, be it only swimming their boat to shore. That will at least screen people who are inappropriately dressed, and hopefully will help set a tone of safety consciousness. If they want to paddle with me again, they can progress to a paddle float rescue, or some type of assisted rescue, a bow rescue, a scoop rescue, a roll, even a "hands of god" rescue. Ten to fifteen minutes of something new each time out. Maybe they'll become the kind of paddler who without fail only paddles near shore in warm, protected water in calm conditions. More power to them! Maybe they'll buy a wetsuit. Maybe they'll start thinking that practicing multiple self rescue techniques is worth their while. Maybe they'll learn to hold their breath for 20 seconds underwater. Maybe they'll gain a group consciousness and paddling skills that allow them to present their bow to someone who capsizes within 20 seconds. Best of all, maybe they'll become the kind of paddler that exercises good judgement by competently matching their own and their group's paddling skills and equipment to the hazards they are likely to encounter each time they go out. A trip of one thousand nautical miles begins with the first stroke. -Mike Pitzrick *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
It would be nice to hear from anyone else who has had to perform the Hand of God Rescue. I personally do not consider the Eskimo rescues to be viable options. I simply do not believe that in a typical sea kayaking scenario a paddler would be able to keep their composure while hanging underwater long enough to wait for the rescue, or that the average sea kayaker would be in tune enough with the situation to perform such a rescue quickly enough. 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. Certainly a group of good friends who practice them on a regular basis and is warned of the possibility of having to perform one, such as a "team" of paddlers looking out for each other while paddling through some challenging rock gardens, would be a different story. But this is a far cry from someone who accidentally capsizes and waits, hanging in their boat underwater, hoping for a rescue. 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. 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. One time I did have a girl in my surf class who could not release her neoprene sprayskirt. Once I reached her I simply reached over and grabbed the coaming of her boat and pulled it over so that she was on the surface and could breath, and I could then release the sprayskirt for her. There was never any question or problem with her clinging onto to me. 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. Scott So.Cal. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Great (useful) comments on this topic. Food for thought at least. For sure I'm going to affix a biner or rubber ducky or some other "hood ornament" to the grab loop of my spray skirt. Something to notice when it's tucked in other than just the black strap, and something easier to feel that a wet noodle under water. Seems an obvious thing to do once you think about it. You can even use the biner to clip the skirt up out of the way while walking about. And I'll add the R&R of the spray skirt, simulating a rushed wet exit to my pre-flight check as well. Better to break two or three spray skirts on the hard than one while counting fishes. The Eskimo rescue seems appropriate for an Eskimo hunting party who paddles together a lot, as Scott said. Or a posse who's out every weekend and practices etc. Personally, I'm thinking that a typical group paddle is really just a number of people doing solo paddles at the same time. Each person should be able to manage on their own, or better still to watch out for another, should someone need assistance. If you are taking a paddler along who does not have that degree of skill (me?), then you should have enough skill for both, and paddle like you might need to use it - in close proximity. Cheers, Carey *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
On 3 Jan 2004 at 0:14, Carey Parks wrote: > For > sure I'm going to affix a biner or rubber ducky or some other "hood > ornament" to the grab loop of my spray skirt. Whiffle balls (practice golf balls) work great - light and don't hold water. Unlike a 'biner, it won't bonk anything. I attached one to mine using a wire tie (those plastic loops used for gathering wires together that only tighten and can't be undone without cutting). Mike *************************************************************************** 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 also use a wiffle ball - but just one completely minor detail - but in terms of zip strips or wire ties - the white ones are *usually* not UV stable - quickly get brittle when exposed to sunlight....the black ones are *usually* made of plastics that have been UV stabilized... K *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
On Fri, 2 Jan 2004 23:35:47 EST, KiAyker_at_aol.com said: I personally do not consider the Eskimo rescues to be viable options. I once performed a Bow Rescue [hate that word Es***o] in Class IV water on the Ocoee River at high water. The paddler I assisted was unable to roll but was not panicked. He had tried his roll and was continuing to attempt it when he saw me charging at him. He waited a second, saw or felt my bow, grabbed it and came up. That's the only bow resuce I've ever attempted and it worked fine. Another technique I have used many times when teaching whitewater is to paddle up to a person who is setting up to roll. Knowing that most of my students did not have really good rolls, I would sit along side while they were setting up. Just as they started the sweep or extension, I would grab their stern with both my hands and torque the boat as hard as possible to aid the roll. Many students came up with surprised smiles on their faces. I would try not to tell them that I had "helped". With a panicked paddler in the boat, the Hand of God is the only choice unless there are more than one assistants, in which case the torque method would work. I think. Jim Tibensky *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
To Geoff, TFord, Jim, et all, I have absolutely no argument that the Eskimo rescues are useful in a whitewater scenario. That is why I was very specific to state several times that I was talking about "sea kayaking." Scott So.Cal. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Paddlewisers, I am also skeptical about Eskimo rescues being practical in most circumstances. However, there is usually and time and place for almost every type of rescue, which is why I never discard any of them. Several years ago I personally witnessed a grandmother with not much kayaking experience or skills perform an Eskimo bow rescue that saved the life of a man who was entrapped during a rescue practice that I organized. I was sure glad she knew something about how to do it. I was surprised that the BCU put a lot of emphasis on Eskimo rescues in the training I received. But then again, the BCU also puts a lot of emphasis on sea kayaking being a team effort. Duane Strosaker Southern California *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Hi First, with respect to the HOG rescue. It can often be difficult to get a person uprighted, particuarly when there is a weight/stength differential between the rescurer and rescuee. But it is important to keep in mind that a prime objective is to get the "victim's" head above water so they can breath. Second, another option is to reach under the cockpit, find the grab loop and pull off the spray skirt thus permitting the entrapped paddler to exit the boat. If the person is unconscious then you will need to "pull" them out of the boat. I have done this in a white water situation when the person capsized and panicked doing a wet exit (leaning back rather than bending forward, kissing the deck, and doing a wet exit. Regardless of the venue, sea or whitewater the eskimo or bow rescue can be effective is the group attuned to watching and being patient. I paddle in both venues. In whitewater the eskimo rescue tends to be used more in training exercises when wet exiting, getting to the shore, emptying the boat and starting over is very time consuming. Doing actual river runs, people more to wet exit and swim to shore - with or without assistance - unless things just happen to work right for an eskimo rescue. You should remember that in most cases, the river bank is in within reasonable swimming distance. I also tend to think the eskimo rescue is used more in training situations in sea conditions. Again, we the paddlers are aware and paddling close enough the eskimo rescue can work. I have done eskimo rescues in real conditions - actually I paddled backward and gave the person the stern of my boat for the rescue. Someone mentioned the emphasis on being positioned in a T for the eskimo resc ue. This is how it is initially taught. However I also teach people variations. In particular, coming in from a different angle rather than try to place yourself in the T position. This angle approach also provides more room for error as you can aim before the victim's hands and then slide down the hull till you bow (or stern) reaches their hands. I think I key point to take home from this discussion that both the HOG and eskimo/bow rescues are that these are two tools/techniques in your rescue kit. Of course practice is important. best wishes for a peacefull and healthy new year sid *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
<Sid wrote:But it is important to keep in mind that a prime objective is to get the "victim's" head above water so they can breath. Second, another option is to reach under the cockpit, find the grab loop and pull off the spray skirt thus permitting the entrapped paddler to exit the boat. If the person is unconscious then you will need to "pull" them out of the boat.> Very interesting line of discussion as at shows different approches to seakayaking and the problems involved and also the difference between ww and sk. I think Sid must be a ww man as he wants the man out of the boat, that?s fine iff you are 20 yards from the shore with dry clothes wating for you. On sea you want to keep the guy in his boat and dry, even iff he?s unconsciuos. Also I want to say that the hog is not dificult, it just takes som training. To do the Hog you get alongside the victim and reach across his boat for a hold on the pfd. You then pull him forwards so his head touches the fordeck. You then pul him up while you puch down on his deck with your other hand. Luckely I have newer had to do this for real. As for the Eskimo rescue I think it is perfekt for training sesions in rolling, braces etc. For real life rescues it will take paddlers who realy know and trust each other and they would probaly just roll up. Lenze www.havkajakcenter.dk *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 1/5/2004 3:04:20 AM Eastern Standard Time, lenze_at_havkajakcenter.dk writes: I think Sid must be a ww man as he wants the man out of the boat, that?s fine iff you are 20 yards from the shore with dry clothes wating for you. On sea you want to keep the guy in his boat and dry, even iff he?s unconsciuos. Also I want to say that the hog is not dificult, it just takes som training. To do the Hog you get alongside the victim and reach across his boat for a hold on the pfd. You then pull him forwards so his head touches the fordeck. You then pul him up while you puch down on his deck with your other hand. Luckely I have newer had to do this for real. Actually I am primarily a sea kayaker. What I said was releasing the spray skirt is simply another option if the person cannot get the person up. Yes, I prefer to keep the person in their boat and dry. However, if I cannot get their head above the water so they can breathe things will not be good. WHile the HOG is not technically difficult, you also need to take into consideration the relative size (weight) and strength of the rescuer and rescuee. It can be a real challenge for a small person, say 130lbs, to rescue someone weighing over 200 lbs. I have observed this in training classes with some smaller people in very good physical condition. You may want to try actually laying the person out backwards with their head "on" the back deck. This lowers the center of gravity. I believe it is how most people teach the rescue. regards sid *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
<Sid Wrote You may want to try actually laying the person out backwards with their head "on" the back deck. This lowers the center of gravity. I believe it is how most people teach the rescue.> Yes there are a lot of local differnces and yes must places use the leanback, also in roll etc. A more modern approache is leaning forwards, the center of gravety is the same ! but for most people and in most kayaks leaning forwards is a lot easier. It is a much more natural movement, anybody can put there forhead on the for deck, but I can only reach backwards iff I lift my bum from the seat. This even more so in many modern boats with high backrests. As for rolling the forwards lean will olsa place yuo in a lot better situation facing forwards then the the leanback ! Best regards, and a prosperous new year Lenze www.havkajakcenter.dk *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Original message: > > I have absolutely no argument that the Eskimo rescues are useful in a > whitewater scenario. That is why I was very specific to state several times that I > was talking about "sea kayaking." > > Scott > So.Cal. What is different in whitewater situations vs sea-kayaking that would make Eskimo rescues useful in one and not the other? I have no whitewater experience and have not done any Eskimo rescues in my sea-kayak so I am asking to better try to understand limits of this rescue. Mark J. Arnold *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
>>What is different in whitewater situations vs sea-kayaking that would make Eskimo rescues useful in one and not the other? I have no whitewater experience and have not done any Eskimo rescues in my sea-kayak so I am asking to better try to understand limits of this rescue. 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. This and the fact that the Eskimo rescues are much more often applied in the whatewater scenario then they generally are in sea kayaking means that the whitewater paddler will be more inclined to be expecting it then their ocean counterparts. Of course this is merely speculation on my part as I don't do whitewater rivers either. I simply assume that the Eskimo rescues work better in river paddling based on the numbers of whitewater paddlers who always chime in with stories of Eskimo rescues every time this topic comes up. Scott So.Cal. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
> >>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 *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
On 4 Jan 2004 at 11:16, Erik Sprenne wrote: > 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. I think that this is partly due to the over-emphasis of the T setup position in the bow rescue. In one of the most "aggressive" rescue courses I've taken (at a symposium, though which escapes me) emphasized just getting your kayak in contact with the rescuee. They then grab anything (not necessarily the bow, e.g. any lifeline) and pull themselves up. If the kayaks were very close to parallel, the rescuer was to switch to the paddle bridge rescue. The rescuee was expected to respond to either, based on clues from the rescuer (notably, grabbing their hand and placing it on the paddle shaft to indicate a bridge rescue). I don't know how many beginners would have this level of training and expect this kind of flexibility. In SK, I've never seen any such rescue in real conditions (though common in WW as others noted - esp. w/ yers truly as the rescuee :-). Most paddlers bail out almost as soon as they hit the water. This could be helped if more paddlers learned to condition themselves to relax and hang on for 20 or so seconds - they have the time and ability to hold their breath, just not the nerve. I know that Amie and I have a standard for paddling in iffy conditions. I tell her in advance I expect her to hang on and I make a point of paddling just aft and to one side of her so that I can make contact in a couple of paddle strokes. I remember rounding a point in Newfoundland where the land to starboard was a hull smashing landing and the land to port was Greenland or the British Isles. This is "iceberg alley", the route that Greenland icebergs take down the Labrador coast and past northern Newfoundland out to the open Atlantic. Cold water and no safe landing - if one of us went over, there would not be time to swim without either freezing in a tow or being smashed on the rocks. We rounded safely, but with the understanding that Amie would wait for my rescue. We've practiced this often, but never needed it. Mike *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
[Moderator's Note: Content unaltered. Excessive quoting (including headers/footers/sig lines/extraneous text from previous posts, etc.) have been removed. Please edit quoted material in addition to removing header/trailers when replying to posts.] Perhaps there are regional differences in teaching bow rescues to new sea kayakers. On the east coast, where I learned, before skills are learned (edging, bracing), the wet exit and then the bow rescue are learned and practiced and perfected. I was taught to bang on the hull, and if no one came, then wet exit. It's a no risk, no stress waiting period. And it has saved me a few wet exits. Lyn *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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 *************************************************************************** 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've seen some debate on the bow rescue this year - I attended the first annual Whitewater Symposium at Zoar Outdoor in MA, and found out that some whitewater instructors don't teach it. I, on the other hand, teach it frequently, and was just asked last week by one of my whitwater students from last why. 1. In beginning progression it helps people to be patient and stay upside down, and gives them something to do. 2. It's a good progression from hip-snapping off the bow. 3. It's a great way to keep some people busy while helping others. 4. As said, in begining whitewater, it saves a lot of time. That said, I've been integrating team building and water polo in both whitewater and instructor level coastal courses. One great game is to have a circle with some one in the middle. They flip over, and someone from the outside is called to give a bow rescue. It's really fun and it shows both groups various difficulties while it trains them in being accurate. In coastal instructor courses it's fun to flip over unexpectedly and pound on the boat - people get sensitive to it and they more ready and alert. They know that if they don't get there on time they are in for a scenario! I think that is good training. Both groups end up watching their peers more carefully. It's also really important to stress not hanging out too long, and that it's ok to swim once in awhile, for safety's sake. Rapid coming up, knowing when your are running out of air, whatever. Being aware of what is coming up that could hurt you so you don't hang out too long. Andree Andree Hurley ACA Instructor Trainer http://www.onwatersports.com New products: http://www.viewit.com/Store/Gaia/ *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
----- Original Message ----- From: "A. Hurley" <ahurley_at_viewit.com> > That said, I've been integrating team building .......... > > In coastal instructor courses it's fun to flip over unexpectedly and pound > on the boat - people get sensitive to it and they more ready and alert. > They know that if they don't get there on time they are in for a > scenario! I think that is good training. > > Both groups end up watching their peers more carefully. > Andree I started hanging around some WW kayakers two years ago when I was invited to play kayak football in town. At the time I could brace well but could not roll well. I found it interesting watching the WW kayakers react to someone going over who needed assistance. Lots of "Save him, save him!" and things happening fast as multiple paddlers converged on the stricken. The sea kayakers in the crowd kind of lazed in their cockpits and took it all in. We eventually caught the infectious spirit of these aggressive WW paddlers and soon found ourselves staying alert, as Andree put it, and helping out with overturned kayakers. It is not uncommon during a game to have to do a HOG rescue as skill levels are all over the place. One player who suffered a brain injury in a car accident and does everything like he has mild CP is a frequent victim. He is a 200 lb man and isn't too bad to yank upright. But I think it is easier to yank up a WW boat than a sea kayak. I have tried to instill some of this spirit into our regular paddling club but it just doesn't catch. I have filled my lungs with air and dumped my kayak in front of, next too and behind fellow club paddlers while out on the lake and beaten my hull. Only once was I rescued. The rest of the time I pulled the skirt and came up to be greeted with questions. No action just questions. Jim et al *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Yes, many paddlers begin exiting their kayak before they have even hit the water. Still, I have done bow and side rescues many times in sea kayaks. It is just that it is a really a "re-enter and bow or side rescue". The victim usually doesn't even have to stick their head back underwater to re-enter since they can usually do so while hanging on to your bow (or a paddle shaft bridging the two boats) while they re-enter from the side. If you are the victim doing an Eskimo side rescue be sure to come up very slowly. I have hit my head hard on the other kayak during practice. As the victim, hanging on to the paddle shaft as your point of contact (and leverage) you don't have much control of how far the kayaks are apart. For this reason come up slowly and make room for yourself between the kayaks. You have plenty of leverage from this position and because the paddle bridges the boats the rescuer also has a solid platform from which to help pull you up if that is necessary. An advantage WW paddlers have is that they can turn their kayak almost instantly. This helps when starting towards the victim from an angle and once near the victim to get your kayaks bow lined up right where the arm waving victim can find it. The average (of 428 North American single recreation and sea kayaks I tested for this) take a little over 6 seconds to spin through 90 degrees. For 81 Non-North American touring kayaks it was about 7.5 seconds. The longest in each group took over 1.5 times (N.A.) to over 2.5 times (Non-N.A.) longer. Is it any wonder that so few (who can't roll) are going to squander what air they might need trying to get unentrapped while hanging out waving their arms about on each side of the kayak (before even finding out if they are going to be entrapped or not) until just before running out of reserve air. Personally, I see far more value in a re-enter and Eskimo bow or side rescue than I do in a re-enter and roll. While they do share the "full of water kayak syndrome" just like the re-enter and roll the Eskimo rescues are a lot quicker in getting the kayaker back in the kayak and upright than most rescues. I think they are safer for the rescuer too, especially if the victim is heavy and possibly could be overpowering in a "climb up on the righted kayak with help rescue", especially if the victim doesn't know exactly how to do it in a manner that keeps both kayaks stable (or in a semi-panic does not follow directions well or shifts weight around too fast). The re-enter and bow or side rescues have been my choice for righting strangers I have come across who needed rescuing. Especially with the bow rescue, there is not much the victim could do to capsize me even if he tried. One word of caution before trying one of these with a stranger in a strange kayak. Be sure that the victims kayak has plenty of flotation in each end or a re-entry and Eskimo rescue may help to sink it. I know this from experience too. The first time was in 1984 at the L.L.Bean Symposium during a group trip. After the rescue the boat was sitting unexpectedly low so I asked the victim if the (folding) kayak he was using had any flotation in it. He didn't know, he had just borrowed it from the beach for the tour. It didn't have much if any. John and Bea Dowd (folding kayak experts) came along about then and helped get the kayak emptied out. One other time I came upon a kayaker swimming next to his old original Aquaterra Chinook in Seattle's Montlake cut among heavy powerboat traffic. this time before proceeding I asked if he had flotation in his kayak. He said yes. He reentered and came up easily but his coaming edge was now about 2" underwater. We managed to get him pumped out by holding the spraydeck in place on the cockpit rim as best we could (it kept wanting to pop off) while pumping out through the waist hole until we finally got some freeboard. Sure enough, his kayak had the flotation bag it was sold with in the back and it was fully inflated. I called a manager at Aquaterra that I knew and asked why they would sell such a little WW bow sized float bag for flotation in that big kayak. He said they wanted to still have some room to store gear in the back. I pointed out that with a full sized float bag one could just let out some air if they needed space and if the gear was stored in a waterproof gear bag they wouldn't be loosing much in flotation in either situation (with or without gear). They soon began making somewhat bigger float bags for the boat. Foam bulkheads in the stern came a little later for the Chinook but they didn't stay sealed very well so they didn't seem like much improvement to me. Matt Broze www.marinerkayaks.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). 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>>What is different in whitewater situations vs sea-kayaking that would make Eskimo rescues useful in one and not the other? Scott wrote: >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". >I simply assume that the Eskimo rescues work better in river paddling based on the numbers of whitewater paddlers who always chime in with stories of Eskimo rescues every time this topic comes up I might add that there is generally more of a "team attitude" to a group of whitewater paddlers than to a group of sea kayakers. With this team attitude is the expectation of the capsize victim that someone will be there, and the expectation of the rest of the team members that the capsize victim will be expecting someone there. I don't think it works better simply because of the physical constraint of the width of the river. You can paddle in as close of formation in sea kayaks; most "non-team attitude" paddlers simply choose not to. In rough water, where "team attitude" (or actual "teams", per se) paddlers are more likely to be found, bow rescues are probably more prevalent. On flat water (like club trips) where groups get extremely spread out, bow rescues are neither prevalent nor often useful. Another hypothesis: most whitewater paddlers know how to roll, or have some beginnings of a roll. They then have the concurrent "hang time" to await a rescue. The average sea kayaker has an average maximum hang time of 1.6 seconds*. ;) Shawn *Fictional statistic that probably isn't far from the truth. *************************************************************************** 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 11:19 AM 1/6/2004 -0800, Shawn Baker wrote: >Another hypothesis: most whitewater paddlers know how to roll, or have >some beginnings of a roll. They then have the concurrent "hang time" >to await a rescue. The average sea kayaker has an average maximum hang >time of 1.6 seconds*. ;) One thing that I have noticed regarding being a "victim" in a bow/paddle rescue is that it while waiting for a rescue it might feel like you're about to reach your maximum hang time fairly quickly. Once you've grabbed a bow or paddle though, it feels like you've got plenty of time before coming up. I agree with someone else that posted on the thread about learning how to do a bow/paddle rescue early on in the development of ones paddlings skills. I have been involved in quite a few lessons (as an instructor). After the complete beginners class, many of the things taught are more conducive to an unexpected capsize. In the "intermediate" class I help teach, after a bit of review the next thing we cover is a bow rescue, although we don't introduce it as a rescue technique at first. We start by showing the students how to hip snap off the bow of a partners boat using both hands. One the hip snap looks reasonable, we'll have them let go with the onside (if the bow is to the right of them, let go with the right hand). That forces them to go completely upside down and also provides a good way for them to work on increasing their maximum hang time. Next we'll have them hold onto their partners bow, go upside down, then let go, regrab, and come up. Finally, we'll have them capsize with their partner fairly close to them and go through the motions. Since they're paired up with another student, they can both work on being a rescuer and victim, and try capsizing in both directions. It can be disorienting for many begin upside down and a common mistake is for the "victim" to only reach for a bow on one side. One of the tricks I have learned is to make sure you're sticking both hands out of the water (with your hands perpendicular to the hull) and wave back and forth until you feel the bow. Then reach across your body with the other hand and place it on top of the hand that made contact. During the classes most of the skills are done in a fairly close group and we try to keep them together so that should a capsize occur, usually someone will be nearby to perform a rescue. A couple of summers ago I saw someone go over that was probably 100' away and started waving his hands. I sprinted toward him, then put on the breaks so I didn't run right over his hull, he grabbed onto my bow and came right up. In "real" conditions, a bow rescue from that distance would likely be much more difficult. I also had the chance to perform a couple of bow rescues during a BCU assessment last year. There were a couple of people with marginal bracing skills and I as parallel to one of them about 20' away when she went over. I quickly edged over and grabbed a forward sweep. In my haste, I edged over a bit further than I wanted and started to go over myself. I save it though, with the best offside high brace I've ever done. Someone else got into the rescue before I did, but I turned to the assesor (Shawna Franklin) and said, "I hope that you'll count that one for my high brace". *************************************************************************** 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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