Re: [Paddlewise] T-Rescue not T-brace

> I've been talking braces and rescues with fellow teachers because of an
> upcoming class we are teaching, so my mind wrapped the two together.  I 
> would
> like to hear your thoughts on the T-Rescue.  Thanks very much for your 
> input.


   

   OK, I'll bite. While I have heard some criticism of the "T" and the "HI" 
rescues in the past, I find them to be a quick and reliable way to empty the 
boat of water and get the paddler back in action again. Using the "T" rescue I 
have managed to get many a paddler back into their boat between sets in the 
surf zone. I certainly find it to be much quicker and easier then pumping the 
boat out, not to mention that it would be much more difficult to try to hang onto 
a boat full of water and keep it and the paddler upright in the event of 
waves. 
   I have also found it to be relatively easy to perform the "T" rescue on a 
fully loaded boat. The trick is in the technique of lifting the bow from the 
water. The best way to do this is to lean your own boat over and hook the edge 
of your boat under the bow of the boat to be rescued and then lean your boat 
back over in the opposite direction pulling the bow of the other boat over your 
deck in the process. Of course the whole process can be made much easier if 
the person in the water assists, either with helping to lift their boat onto 
yours, or by pushing down on their stern while you pull their bow up and over 
your own deck.. That said I do recognize a potential, however small, that the 
rescuer could hurt themselves in the form of a pulled muscle or perhaps a hurt 
back if this is attempted with a heavily loaded boat in difficult conditions 
and one does not take proper precautions or has sloppy technique. If there is 
any doubt, then choose an alternate method to rescue the boat and paddler.

Scott
So.Cal.
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