[Paddlewise] T-rescue-deck lines

Now that I think about it:

A couple of issues need some additional comment.

Deck lines have only been mentioned in relation to managing the boat 
during the rescue. To me, the real place for deck lines relates to 
catching the boat after a capsize and exit. In a training session on 
a windy day I saw a skilled paddler capsize and make a grab for the 
boat and catch only the slippery deck. Another paddler caught the 
boat, which had quickly gone out of reach. If you only get one shot 
at the boat after an exit, there better be a deckline where your hand 
hits the boat.

Inuit skills:

It should not be said that Inuits didn't/don't have drysuits. They 
had anoraks with tightly snugged hoods that allowed relative comfort 
in rolling in rough cold seas.  I have pointed out on another 
occasion that some, if not all, of those anoraks had long skirts that 
allowed a paddler to exit the boat "Petrussan manuver" and bring head 
and shoulders out next to the cockpit while waiting for an assisted 
rescue. Spray skirt part of Anorak remained attached to the cockpit.

IMHO, the trained Inuit paddlers were more like our modern whirte 
water paddlers in that they had one basic skill above all others, 
which was to roll the boat without fail. As a former white water 
paddler, and canoeist before that, I was well aware that a fellow can 
die swimming rapids. I spent enough time swimming after dumping the 
canoe that " I GOT THE MESSAGE"!  I worked with diligence to learn to 
roll no matter how I got hammered. I once rolled up after the spray 
skirt blew off and still paddled to shore. It was a dangerous place 
for swimming. 

We have too many sea kayakers who don't get the message. They depend 
too much on rescues. If they insist on storm paddling or rough water 
paddling, they should have a dependable roll. The Inuit have many 
rolls and they are "low impact", not power manuvers. Such rolls can 
be done repeatedly in rough conditions. Being capsized, half up in a 
balance brace position, skulling brace or upright was rountine not a 
struggle. It should be so for us. We are not safer than Inuit 
paddlers.

What do you mean no deck lines on Inuit boats? They had throwing 
sticks, seal skin floats, harpoons, etc all on the deck under deck 
lines. such boats had many lines and some cinch toggles to tighten 
pairs of lines.

Chuck Sutherland 
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