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From: Larry L. Storer <larry_at_onewithgaia.com>
subject: [Paddlewise] T-Rescue not T-brace
Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2004 14:46:00 -0600
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.

Larry L. Storer
larry_at_onewithgaia.com
www.OneWithGaia.com
Products to celebrate our relationship with the Earth.
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From: <KiAyker_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] T-Rescue not T-brace
Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 07:37:19 EST
> 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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From: Lenze <lenze_at_havkajakcenter.dk>
subject: [Paddlewise] SV: T-Rescue not T-brace
Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 17:42:07 +0100
* 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.


Scott's reply was a wonderful description of the T rescue  like We use it
her in Europe.
* The thing to remember is that in most cases the "victim" is fully capable
to assist in his own rescue making it a lot easier to handle a laden boat by
f.ex. crawling on the rear end to lift the bow
* I have also used this rescue in hard conditions as the "Storm rescue"
where the rescued boat stays on top of the rescuer until the "victim is back
in his boat with spray skirt and all and the pushed back in the water. This
might cost you a spray skirt after some time, but you get the guy out in the
water with a empty cockpit.
* Pumping the boat is something we never do, but I feel that the important
thing for an instructor is to have a whole range of tools to fall back on.
There will always be the situation where your usual tool/technique does not
work. This is the moment of truth, you'll know the experienced instructor by
the way his dishes up with alternative possibilities
In the end there is no one right way, the art is to choose the right way for
the right situation and the right time.

Have fun out there
Lenze
www.havkajakcenter.dk
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From: John Fereira <jaf30_at_cornell.edu>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] SV: T-Rescue not T-brace
Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 12:19:18 -0500
At 05:42 PM 2/23/2004 +0100, Lenze wrote:
>* 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.
>
>
>Scott's reply was a wonderful description of the T rescue  like We use it
>her in Europe.
>* The thing to remember is that in most cases the "victim" is fully capable
>to assist in his own rescue making it a lot easier to handle a laden boat by
>f.ex. crawling on the rear end to lift the bow

The most recent issue of Sea Kayaker magazine (my copy arrived last 
weekend) has a very good article on the T-rescue.  It suggest a different 
school of though regarding having the victim assist in the rescue.  Rather 
than have the victim assist in lifting the boat it is suggest that the 
victim go to the bow or your boat (keeping their paddle).  That way you can 
always see the victim and, while having them push down on the stern help 
lift the bow, you're also dragging them through the water as you pull the 
bow of their boat in front of you.  There is also the possibility that the 
victims boat will have a rudder and having them grab onto their stern in 
rough conditions might be and additional injury risk.

I have also done many T-rescues in controlled and "real world" 
conditions.  In a few instances it involved paddlers that were in a kayak 
for the first time and had no idea they could even reenter their boat in 
deep water.  Giving short and direct instructions is very important in this 
case as is practicing the technique so that it *can* be done quickly 
without assistance.
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From: Lenze <lenze_at_havkajakcenter.dk>
subject: [Paddlewise] SV: SV: T-Rescue not T-brace
Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 18:28:42 +0100
<There is also the possibility that the 
victims boat will have a rudder>

You must be kidding :) 

Lenze
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From: WhiteRabbit <whiterabbit_0117_at_charter.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] SV: SV: T-Rescue not T-brace
Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 12:25:25 -0600
What works best for perimeter lines?  Is 3/16 thick enough?  Elastic or not?

Putting perimiter lines on my Chesepeake was on my winter maintenance
schedule before this thread started.   I didn't put them on when I built it,
and soon discovered, as someone previously noted, that a wet wood boat is
slicker than pig snot.

Robert
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From: <Seakayakerjb_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] SV: T-Rescue not T-brace
Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 13:09:58 EST
To effectively execute a T-rescue it is important that the "victim's" kayak 
be outfitted with deck lines--and that these lines be loose enough to enable 
the rescuer to get their hands around.

Though getting better, too many North American manufactured kayaks are not 
outfitted with deck lines when sold.  And, often those that are outfitted with 
deck lines, the lines are too tight--especially if paddling in cold waters and 
hands are covered by neoprene gloves.

John Browning
Milwaukee, WI
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From: <KiAyker_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] SV: T-Rescue not T-brace
Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 20:17:53 EST
> To effectively execute a T-rescue it is important that the "victim's" kayak 
> 
> be outfitted with deck lines--and that these lines be loose enough to enable 
> 
> the rescuer to get their hands around.



   I'm sorry, but I don't understand this at all. I have done countless "T" 
rescues and would have to say the very vast majority of boats that I have 
applied this to do not have deck lines. I don't think I really used the deck lines 
for the rescues on the boats that did have them. Please understand that I have 
nothing at all against deck lines, they can be a nice little luxury in 
certain situations, but I can't say that I really consider them to be a necessity in 
your typical everyday sea kayaking type of scenario, and they are certainly 
are not required for doing the "T" rescue. 

Scott
So.Cal. 
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From: <SNStone_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] SV: T-Rescue not T-brace
Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 22:53:33 EST
While I agree deck lines make life a lot easier, a T rescue can be executed 
on boat without the lines - although it more difficult. I know from experience.

sid
To effectively execute a T-rescue it is important that the "victim's" kayak 
be outfitted with deck lines--and that these lines be loose enough to enable 
the rescuer to get their hands around.

Though getting better, too many North American manufactured kayaks are not 
outfitted with deck lines when sold.  And, often those that are outfitted 
with 
deck lines, the lines are too tight--especially if paddling in cold waters 
and 
hands are covered by neoprene gloves.

John Browning
Milwaukee, WI
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From: Lenze <lenze_at_havkajakcenter.dk>
subject: [Paddlewise] SV: SV: T-Rescue not T-brace
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2004 07:56:14 +0100
Deck lines

There is a general difference in approach between American and British
Kayak. Where American tend to be leisure touring kayak and British
performance kayaks. So happy to see that most American manufacturers now are
introducing British style kayaks.
For a performance kayaks deck lines and end toggles are standard equipment
both are necessary in T rescues. The deck line ensure the person in the
water a positive grip on the boat and a safe transit from wherever he is to
the rear of the boat to assist by pushing down. End toggles ( often misnamed
in American literature as carrying handle) are to be able to hold on to the
boat even in surf zone conditions enabling a grip even if the boat is
turning and twisting. End toggles therefore should be placed so they hang
down from the end of the boat (in stead of mounted on top of the deck) This
is of course impossible with boats with a rudder, but we wont start that
discussion again  :)

Lenze ( who imports American boats to Denmark)
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From: Steve Holtzman <sh_at_actglobal.net>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] SV: SV: T-Rescue not T-brace
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2004 06:32:11 -0800
Lenze said:

> Deck lines
> 
> There is a general difference in approach between American 
> and British Kayak. Where American tend to be leisure touring 
> kayak and British performance kayaks. So happy to see that 
> most American manufacturers now are introducing British style 
> kayaks. For a performance kayaks deck lines and end toggles 
> are standard equipment both are necessary in T rescues. 

Lenze, I will agree with you that deck lines SHOULD be standard
equipment on all sea kayaks (as well as toggles).

However, not having them, only makes a "T" rescue more difficult, but
not impossible.

Steve Holtzman (who paddles a British designed boat, built in 
Canada, in US waters).
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From: Lenze <lenze_at_havkajakcenter.dk>
subject: [Paddlewise] SV: SV: SV: T-Rescue not T-brace
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2004 17:16:46 +0100
Sure Steve

I think I expresed my selv wrongly (what boat are you paddling?)

Of course you can perform a T rescue without decklines and toggles.

An other thing some contributors have mentioned is the impotence of using
you whole body and boat to do these rescues.
It all works a lot better if you are so confident in your bout that you can
twist you body and lean over the other boat .

I see a lot of people how are doing rescues ( and other disciplines) sitting
straight up, looking forwards and working with the hands somewhere to the
side. I think this is the main problem for those who claim that T rescue's
do not work in rough conditions.

Lenze
www.havkajakcenter.dk



Lenze, I will agree with you that deck lines SHOULD be standard
equipment on all sea kayaks (as well as toggles).

However, not having them, only makes a "T" rescue more difficult, but
not impossible.

Steve Holtzman (who paddles a British designed boat, built in
Canada, in US waters).
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From: Steve Holtzman <sh_at_actglobal.net>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] SV: SV: T-Rescue not T-brace
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2004 15:32:23 -0800
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Lenze [mailto:lenze_at_havkajakcenter.dk] 
> 
> Sure Steve
> 
> I think I expressed my self wrongly (what boat are you paddling?)
> 
> Of course you can perform a T rescue without decklines and toggles.
> 
> An other thing some contributors have mentioned is the 
> impotence of using you whole body and boat to do these 
> rescues. It all works a lot better if you are so confident in 
> your bout that you can twist you body and lean over the other boat .

Lenze,

You're right about this, but there's also another technique that works
real well (especially if there are deck lines and toggles). Right the
boat if necessary without emptying it, then pull it up over your skirt
(the smooth hull is easier to pull over yourself then the deck is). Once
the cockpit is far enough out of the water, you can rotate the boat to
drain it, then slide it in and perform a normal assisted rescue.

Works a lot faster and easier. Also if you are having trouble getting
the boat over your skirt, lean your boat way over and get the other
boats bow over your boat. Then straighten up. As you mentioned, if you
can twist90 degrees to your own boat, you will have a lot more leverage.

Steve Holtzman

PS. My boat is a CD Gulfstream
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From: <SNStone_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] SV: SV: T-Rescue not T-brace
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2004 12:01:19 -0500
Deck Lines

While I believe deck lines should be a standard on sea kayaks they are in no means vital to performing a T rescue - on either the boat be rescued or the rescuers boat. I have rescued many a person in boats without deck lines. We are starting to see more manufactures designing and buidling both composite and plastic boats with deck lines. 

best wishes
sid
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From: <KiAyker_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] SV: SV: T-Rescue not T-brace
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2004 20:18:43 EST
> Lenze, I will agree with you that deck lines SHOULD be standard
> equipment on all sea kayaks (as well as toggles).
> 
> However, not having them, only makes a "T" rescue more difficult, but
> not impossible.



   Hmmmm, interesting. I have never had even the slightest difficulty doing a 
"T" rescue on a boat without decklines. I wonder why that is?

Scott
So.Cal.
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From: Geoff Jennings <geoff_at_texaskilonewton.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] SV: SV: T-Rescue not T-brace
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2004 19:36:55 -0800
>    Hmmmm, interesting. I have never had even the slightest difficulty
doing a
> "T" rescue on a boat without decklines. I wonder why that is?
>
> Scott
> So.Cal.

The only time I remember having trouble was on a long homemade wood kayak.
I couldn't reach from the toggle to the cockpit, and the middle section was
slicker than pigsnot.

Geoff
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From: Steve Brown <steve_at_brown-web.net>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] SV: SV: T-Rescue not T-brace
Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 07:03:07 -0800
Same problem with our boats. Vickie has a mariner Elan and I have an
Express. It's a long-long ways from the toggle to the deck bungies. Neither
boat has deck lines in the classic sense. Thankfully, both the standard bow
lines that come with the boats and slightly enhanced quick release tow
system I now have on them solve the problem.
Without them it's very risky to pull the boat past the bow toggle and
stopping at the bow toggle doesn't come close to doing the job. The cockpit
is just too far to the rear.
I'm not familiar with the viscosity of pigsnot because in SoCal we usually
use just plain snot. Both of these boats are definitely slicker than (plain)
snot when wet.

Steve Brown
 

-----Original Message-----
 The only time I remember having trouble was on a long homemade wood kayak.
I couldn't reach from the toggle to the cockpit, and the middle section was
slicker than pigsnot.

Geoff
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From: <Seakayakerjb_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] SV: SV: T-Rescue not T-brace
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2004 23:18:26 EST
In a message dated 2/24/2004 7:26:46 PM Central Standard Time, 
KiAyker_at_aol.com writes:

<<  Hmmmm, interesting. I have never had even the slightest difficulty doing 
a 
 "T" rescue on a boat without decklines. I wonder why that is? >>

Since I started this discussion by stating "To effectively execute a T-rescue 
it is important that the "victim's" kayak be outfitted with deck lines--and 
that these lines be loose enough to enable the rescuer to get their hands 
around."  I'm going to chime back in--

My experience has been that when handling another (i.e., victim's) kayak, 
whether it is for a T-rescue, or needing to repair a leaking boat, it is MORE 
effective to control and handle said boat if it is outfitted with properly fitted 
deck lines.  In performing a rescue in 4 foot seas, I once had a kayak 
without decklines ripped from my grasp by a rogue breaker.  Wet kayaks can be pretty 
slippery too, even in warm weather.  Paddling in cold weather, the decks 
become icy--making rescues without decklines very difficult, but not necessarily 
impossible.

I don't know about the conditions that other paddle in, but I do know that in 
the conditions I paddle in, I want the people I paddle with to have their 
kayaks outfitted with decklines, they may make a difference when time is of the 
essence.

John Browning
Milwaukee, WI
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From: Ian Dewey <ian.dewey_at_canoe.org.au>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] SV: SV: T-Rescue not T-brace
Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 15:32:48 +1100
Hi All

I have sat quietly reading this discussion but feel that I need to agree
with the last comments and put in my two cents worth (thats dimes to those
of you in the US)

I am Manager - Canoe Education at Australian Canoeing with responsibility
for the Australian qualification system.  I also have many years experience
as a commercial sea kayak guide and Outdoor Educator (taking school students
on sea expeditions).  I have also managed a sea kayak training centre.

In Australia on a "normal" spring/summer afternoon we get sea breezes and
wind/wave conditions that make it impossible for anyone other than Ian
Thorpe to easily get back to their boat in the event of separation -
decklines make it much easier to keep hold of your boat if you do end up in
the water.

Further as per John Browning's comments we often get sea conditions where
(unless the persons boat is made of a sticky substance or very badly
scratched) it is near impossible to grab hold of a hull - decklines make all
the difference.

Decklines are also a good point to attach side-by-side towing systems as
well as long tows (many attachment points are always safer than one.

Finally on the question of getting the "victim" to assist in the rescue - I
could go on forever about this however if a person ends up unexpectedly in
the sea they are probably no longer an asset and should be treated very
differently.

Ian Dewey


-----Original Message-----
From: Seakayakerjb_at_aol.com
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] SV: SV: T-Rescue not T-brace


In a message dated 2/24/2004 7:26:46 PM Central Standard Time,
KiAyker_at_aol.com writes:

<<  Hmmmm, interesting. I have never had even the slightest difficulty doing
a
 "T" rescue on a boat without decklines. I wonder why that is? >>

Since I started this discussion by stating "To effectively execute a
T-rescue
it is important that the "victim's" kayak be outfitted with deck lines--and
that these lines be loose enough to enable the rescuer to get their hands
around."  I'm going to chime back in--

My experience has been that when handling another (i.e., victim's) kayak,
whether it is for a T-rescue, or needing to repair a leaking boat, it is
MORE
effective to control and handle said boat if it is outfitted with properly
fitted
deck lines.  In performing a rescue in 4 foot seas, I once had a kayak
without decklines ripped from my grasp by a rogue breaker.  Wet kayaks can
be pretty
slippery too, even in warm weather.  Paddling in cold weather, the decks
become icy--making rescues without decklines very difficult, but not
necessarily
impossible.

I don't know about the conditions that other paddle in, but I do know that
in
the conditions I paddle in, I want the people I paddle with to have their
kayaks outfitted with decklines, they may make a difference when time is of
the
essence.

John Browning
Milwaukee, WI
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From: <KiAyker_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] SV: SV: T-Rescue not T-brace
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2004 23:29:06 EST
> The only time I remember having trouble was on a long homemade wood kayak.
> I couldn't reach from the toggle to the cockpit, and the middle section was
> slicker than pigsnot.



   I'm afraid I don't have a lot of experience with "pigsnot," so I'll have 
to take your word on this :-))

   I just don't get this emphasis on deck lines for doing the TX rescue. 
Perhaps I am assuming that the boat being rescued has bulkheads --- or at least a 
rear bulkhead. This may be a bit presumptuous on my part. If the boat in 
question has bulkheads then it is a very simple matter of lifting the bow, allowing 
the boat to drain, and dropping it back in the water again. It's just not 
that big of a deal! I've done this countless times - in the surf zone no less! In 
fact in really rough conditions one is better off with a loose grip on the 
boat then the tight one deck lines would provide. When a wave hits, if you have 
a tight grip on the decklines then you are inviting an injury!
   Of course if the boat in question does not have bulkheads then the rescue 
can be a bit more involved. Not a lot more involved, mind you, but just a bit. 
In this case, to completely empty the boat of water (which may, or may not 
actually be necessary) one must wrestle the boat across their deck until it 
balances and the rescuer can rock the boat from end to end in order to get the 
water out the boat. In rough conditions this can be a little more work, and 
decklines could make the process a little smoother. Not a lot smoother, but a 
little. Of course, who is paddling a sea kayak in rough conditions without a rear 
bulkhead?
   As Mr. Sutherland has pointed out, this rescue, as with most rescues, gets 
even easier when the swimmer assists. I will attempt to utilize the swimmer 
in the rescue whenever possible, however, unless it is a good paddling buddy 
that I have practiced with, I usually find that I can accomplish the rescue much 
more quickly without their help.

   I think it is worth noting that the Inuit paddled without decklines, end 
toggles, bulkheads, bow lines, or pfd's!!! I wonder how they ever managed to 
survive??????????

Scott
So.Cal.
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From: WhiteRabbit <whiterabbit_0117_at_charter.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] SV: SV: T-Rescue not T-brace
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2004 23:04:52 -0600
Given the conditions it is a good bet that many did not.  But unlike them,
we have a choice.  We can do things the Inuit's never dreamed about that
make our paddling safer and more enjoyable.


>    I think it is worth noting that the Inuit paddled without decklines,
end
> toggles, bulkheads, bow lines, or pfd's!!! I wonder how they ever managed
to
> survive??????????
>
> Scott
> So.Cal.
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From: Lenze <lenze_at_havkajakcenter.dk>
subject: [Paddlewise] SV: SV: SV: T-Rescue not T-brace
Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 07:01:02 +0100
You are quite right many did die
At one time kayakdead was the main course of dead among Greenland Inuit
Thank god for these modern inventions

Lenze
Given the conditions it is a good bet that many did not.  But unlike them,
we have a choice.  We can do things the Inuit's never dreamed about that
make our paddling safer and more enjoyable.


>    I think it is worth noting that the Inuit paddled without decklines,
end
> toggles, bulkheads, bow lines, or pfd's!!! I wonder how they ever managed
to
> survive??????????
>
> Scott
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From: Lenze <lenze_at_havkajakcenter.dk>
subject: [Paddlewise] SV: SV: SV: T-Rescue not T-brace
Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 07:01:01 +0100
[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.]

 Think Again, Inuit did not exit the boat the  either had he skills to
paddle or died !!!!

Lenze

   I think it is worth noting that the Inuit paddled without decklines, end
toggles, bulkheads, bow lines, or pfd's!!! I wonder how they ever managed to
survive??????????

Scott
So.Cal.
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From: John Fereira <jaf30_at_cornell.edu>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] SV: SV: T-Rescue not T-brace
Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 08:47:38 -0500
At 11:29 PM 2/24/2004 -0500, KiAyker_at_aol.com wrote:
> > The only time I remember having trouble was on a long homemade wood kayak.
> > I couldn't reach from the toggle to the cockpit, and the middle section was
> > slicker than pigsnot.

[snip]


>    As Mr. Sutherland has pointed out, this rescue, as with most rescues, 
> gets
>even easier when the swimmer assists. I will attempt to utilize the swimmer
>in the rescue whenever possible, however, unless it is a good paddling buddy
>that I have practiced with, I usually find that I can accomplish the 
>rescue much
>more quickly without their help.

Good point.  I would certainly not count on a victim to assist in a rescue. 
Most of the t-rescues I have done were with victims that had never done a 
t-rescue before.  I have also seen someone demonstrate a technique that 
involved paddling up to the capsized boat, grabbing the bow, rolling away 
from the boat, turning the boat over to empty the water, then rolling back 
while turning the boat back upright.  From contact to having the boat back 
upright, mostly empty, took less than 10 seconds.


>    I think it is worth noting that the Inuit paddled without decklines, end
>toggles, bulkheads, bow lines, or pfd's!!! I wonder how they ever managed to
>survive??????????

That's a bad example because the Inuit never came out of their 
boats.  They'd either roll up themselves, or use the bow or paddle of 
another boat to right themselves.  Coming out of the boat in water as cold 
as what they paddled in was almost sure death.  They also didn't have PFD's 
or wet/dry suits.
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From: James <jimtibensky_at_fastmail.fm>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] SV: SV: T-Rescue not T-brace
Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 05:53:22 -0800
I just don't get this emphasis on deck lines for doing the TX rescue.
Perhaps I am assuming that the boat being rescued has bulkheads --- or at
least a rear bulkhead.

AND

I think it is worth noting that the Inuit paddled without decklines, end
toggles, bulkheads, bow lines, or pfd's!!! I wonder how they ever managed
to survive??????????          Scott     So.Cal.



One consideration about deck lines is the idea that the paddler, the
owner, has some responsibility for making her or himself "rescuable", I
think.  And deck lines make a difference.  So, if I want to be as safe as
possible, I have an obligation to consider them as an aid to whomever
might have to rescue me.   Plus, they sure make it easier to haul the
boat out on expeditions where landing spots are not always friendly.

AND

The Inuit were probably, as traditional people always have been,
incredibly risk averse.  Conditions are bad - you don't go out.  And for
those times when they got caught in bad conditions, they had and have all
those techniques for rolling, rescue and recovery.  But getting out of
the boat has never been one of them.

For the Inuit man paddling a kayak was probably the same as driving a car
for most of us.  A routine thing that took a lot of practice at first and
for which a lot of experience was built up over time.  It would be
interesting to know if their accident and fatality rates were anything
like ours on a time-in-the-vehicle basis.

Jim Tibensky
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From: <Seakayakerjb_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] SV: SV: T-Rescue not T-brace
Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 17:22:35 EST
In a message dated 2/25/2004 7:22:55 AM Central Standard Time, 
sh_at_actglobal.net writes:

<< Right the boat if necessary without emptying it, then pull it up over your 
skirt
 (the smooth hull is easier to pull over yourself then the deck is) >>

Additionally, if there is a spare paddle or compass on the fore deck of the 
"victim's" boat, they can get it the way when dragging it across your cockpit 
with deck-side down.  I can also see that it might happen that a hatch cover 
could also become dislodged.  The last thing I do before separating after doing 
a rescue is check that grab loops are out, and all hatch covers, and deck gear 
are in place and properly secured (or as best can be given the conditions).  
If not, we remain rafted until all is secured.  Then I (as the rescuer) ask 
the victim "Ready to paddle?"  Once they respond in the affirmative, we separate.

Someone mentioned about using the decklines for towing--I do as well.  
Depending on the conditions though the deck fittings take a lot of stress.  During a 
BCU 5 Star training class last fall, I "suffered" two broken fittings on 
day-one and one on day-two while being towed.  In both instances I remained 
"on-tow" as the tow lines were secured to the decklines and not simply looped around 
them and clipped to itself (the towline).

I'll also add that the instructors were duly impressed that while waiting for 
our shuttle to arrive on day-one, I whipped out my repair kit and replaced 
the broken deck fittings.  Still had spares and fixed the third one before the 
start of day-three.

Upon close examination of all my deck fittings (1997 NDK Romany), I noticed 
that a couple of others looked "weak" (ashen in color, though I routinely 303 
them, but apparently not frequently enough), and I discoverd a crack in one.  
I've since replaced all of the old ones, and will 303 and inspect more often.

I use 4mm cord for my decklines.  Elastic cord (bungee)--I only use for 
storing gear on my deck, and in my repair kit.

John Browning
Milwaukee, WI
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From: Lenze <lenze_at_havkajakcenter.dk>
subject: [Paddlewise] SV: SV: SV: T-Rescue not T-brace
Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 23:38:14 +0100
<I have also seen someone demonstrate a technique that 
involved paddling up to the capsized boat, grabbing the bow, rolling away 
from the boat, turning the boat over to empty the water, then rolling back 
while turning the boat back upright.  From contact to having the boat back 
upright, mostly empty, took less than 10 seconds.>



That sounds innovative got to try it !
Lenze
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From: Matt Broze <mkayaks_at_oz.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] SV: SV: T-Rescue not T-brace
Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 14:31:58 -0800
Scott wrote:
<snip>>>>>>I think it is worth noting that the Inuit paddled without
decklines, end
toggles, bulkheads, bow lines, or pfd's!!! I wonder how they ever managed to
survive??????????<<<<<<<

It must have been because of a high birthrate and the fact that the
birthrate is dependent on the number of surviving females rather than on the
number of surviving males. A lot of the men who left to go hunting in kayaks
never came back home.
I imagine this was because when they got nervous they inflated their seal
skin spontoons and then couldn't paddle as fast as the spontoon encumbered
kayak was blown away. I wasn't there so this is just idle speculation.

Matt Broze
www.marinerkayaks.com
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From: Ian Dewey <ian.dewey_at_canoe.org.au>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] SV: SV: T-Rescue not T-brace
Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2004 09:41:49 +1100
We recommend the wedge rescue, no dragging of deck on deck, fast and simple.
details are below;

Wedge rescue

This is one of the fastest methods of clearing the cockpit of water.  It
works best with boats with minimum volume cockpits, and can be hard on spray
covers and fore decks.


The victim rights their kayak once the wet exit is completed and moves to
the bow and holds onto the toggle. The rescuer approaches the victims bow
with an angle of 45600 between the two. As the rescuers bow crosses that
of the rescuee, the rescuee grasps the rescuers bow toggle and passes
theirs to the rescuer.  The rescuer grasps the rescuees kayak by the deck
lines and pulls so that it rides up onto their foredeck (whilst upright)
until the cockpit is clear of the water.  Timing of the pull with wave
action can save effort and avoid being speared.

The rescuer then rolls the boat toward themselves so that it inverts
spilling the water from the cockpit.

When the cockpit is clear of the water; roll it back so that it is upright.
Do not try to remove every last drop: you will not be able to and will waste
time if you try.

The kayak is slid off the deck and supported for the victim to re-enter.

On the various Inuit notes - they did a fantastic job in EXTREME conditions
with VERY limited resources - with our unlimited resources we should be able
to learn from them and then create the next level of best practice, not be
held back by the past.

Regards
Ian
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From: Doug Lloyd <dalloyd_at_telus.net>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] SV: SV: T-Rescue not T-brace
Date: Sat, 28 Feb 2004 00:53:46 -0800
Steve posted (snip):

>>I'm not familiar with the viscosity of pigsnot because in SoCal we usually
use just plain snot. Both of these boats are definitely slicker than (plain)
snot when wet.<<

I lost "grip" of my Nordkapp on one occasion after "involuntarily" exiting
the boat in high winds. I'd installed new lines recently just before the
incident, upping the diameter, which left the perimeter line(s) too tight in
their existing deck-fitting holes. I drilled the diameter of the wholes a
bit bigger after that incident (with a Dremel-like tool) and slacked off the
line a bit too (cut some new lines longer, which is actually a bit of an
expense buying good quality cordage all the time). Decklines aren't much
help if the paddler can't get their fingers under them.

I could have gone back to a smaller diameter deckline, but liked the thicker
diameter of 1/4", being a little more robust and easier on the fingers once
said grip has been established. Being a mostly solo paddler, my deck lines
are my business, there for my use and emergencies -- though I have had
occasion for emergency raft-ups in heavy seas, and can guarantee the list
that negative talk of deck-line redundancy for open ocean paddling is as
absurdly abusive toward overall safety as is some of the other opinions
often expressed by these sublime jesters. Okay, takes one to know one  :-)

BTW, plain snot obviously meets Kosher requirements for those packing Matzo
Balls in their day-hatch, though I do think Mel Gibson recently greased the
lining of his pockets using a lot of pigsnot.

Doug Lloyd
Victoria BC
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From: <Harley1941_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] SV: SV: T-Rescue not T-brace
Date: Sat, 28 Feb 2004 08:55:17 EST
In a message dated 2/28/2004 3:54:51 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
dalloyd_at_telus.net writes:
BTW, plain snot obviously meets Kosher requirements for those packing Matzo
Balls in their day-hatch, though I do think Mel Gibson recently greased the
lining of his pockets using a lot of pigsnot.

This ain't the place for this.
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From: Doug Lloyd <dalloyd_at_telus.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] SV: SV: T-Rescue not T-brace
Date: Sun, 29 Feb 2004 19:16:06 -0800
>>though I do think Mel Gibson recently greased the lining of his pockets
using a lot of pigsnot<<

>This ain't the place fot this.<

Sorry 'bout that -- poor late night humour and off-topic.

In terms of the subject header, I was talking with a fellow Victoria paddler
who was out with a small group on a semi-exposed day trip a week or so ago.
One of the paddlers was a fairly new paddler, but the rest of the group
figured there was enough back-up to look after this guy. A low swell was
running with a bit of a chop and a 5-knot current a couple of headland west of
Race Rocks.

Apparently, the new paddler in question attempeted to run a gauntlet through a
narrow slit that seperates off a small island in front of a perfectly-placed
West Coast lunch stop. On a high tide, the gap can be negotiated in a
reasonably safe manner, sea state dependant. One of the more advanced paddlers
took the long way around the island, pulling into the bay where there is a
visual line-of-sight out to sea through the slit. From the back side, as it
were, the paddler put up his hand as a "stop" signal, as he thought it not
advisable to run the gap when he saw who was coming through. For some reason,
the new paddler misinterpreted the signal as meaning it was okay to proceed. I
do not believe the group follows any particular pre-arranged signal strategy.

The paddler in question capzised in the boistrious movement where the water
shallows at the narrow point. The other paddlers moved in cautiously, not
wanting to hurt themselves, yet realising the new paddler was in some truoble.
Fortunately, the paddler was adept enough to get back in the cockpit during a
lull, utalizing the shallow water to board, then high-tailed it out. Unlike
the incident well documented on PW recently (a very good acounting of the
incident, BTW), the paddler was not hurt.

The outside of the island can be a bit choppy (a reason some run the gap,
other than it's just a shorter route into the bay from the westward approach).
The paddler was a bit cold and shakey, and went over again. The boats were
lightly loaded, and a T-Rescue was accomplished post haste. It was decided to
take the paddler to a more sheltered location for rewarming/settling down.

The area is the same setting where some of these paddlers got into trouble
last year (minus inexperienced paddlers for the most part) and decided to
abandon their kayaks, opting to walk out on the rough local trail (some
returing to paddle out later in the week, and some portaging their kayaks out
later). Think cliffs, wind, shallows, swell, boils, current, cold.

I've been out to this area in every conceviable condition, solo and with other
paddlers. I'm actually impressed with the paddlers who have turned back when
they felt threatened with further exposure - at least that is how I feel in
retrospect, now that I've had time to think about how difficult it can be for
certain paddlers to voice their aversion when surrounded by a bunch of weekend
warriors.

As for the new paddler who got into trouble, I'm glad he was out with some
caring, skilled paddlers. But I'd hate to think this fellow, who could
concieviably want to do more solo, exposed paddling, might be out there on a
really rough day. The Victoria paddler who relayed this story to me was kind
enough to help the paddler who required the T-Rescue to subsequently review
and learn some bracing skills, stern ruddering, etc. I hope the new paddler
listens, learns, and progresses at an appropriate pace in the sport. Anything
else would snot be nice.

Doug Lloyd
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From: <KiAyker_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] SV: SV: T-Rescue not T-brace
Date: Sun, 29 Feb 2004 09:49:49 EST
> though I have had
> occasion for emergency raft-ups in heavy seas, and can guarantee the list
> that negative talk of deck-line redundancy for open ocean paddling is as
> absurdly abusive toward overall safety as is some of the other opinions
> often expressed by these sublime jesters.



   Hey, I resemble that! While this is most likely a poke at me (or perhaps 
I'm just paranoid - no I'm not - yes I am :-) I would like it to go on record 
that I do realize and appreciate the utility of decklines for open water 
paddling. For people doing the kind of paddling that Mr. Lloyd does I would consider 
decklines to be an absolute necessity. Then there are the Doug Lloyd wannabes 
who want to pretend that they do that kind of paddling. Hey, if it makes them 
happy then what's the harm?
   However, I have to believe that the very vast majority of "sea kayaking" 
is NOT done in extreme conditions and the novice reading this and other 
newsgroups about this sport might get the impression that they cannot participate in 
this activity responsibly unless they invest thousands of dollars in rescue 
and safety equipment and fill their boat up with an abundance of high tech crap! 
I have been paddling on the ocean for over thirty years and very rarely use 
much of the stuff that is given such tremendous importance on the group - and 
much to the chagrin of several of the people on this list, I'm sure, I'm still 
alive and well!
   I just attempt to instill a little balance to the discussions. Some times 
I think I do this better then others :-))

Scott
So.Cal.
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From: James <jimtibensky_at_fastmail.fm>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] SV: SV: T-Rescue not T-brace
Date: Sun, 29 Feb 2004 14:06:49 -0800
I have been paddling on the ocean for over thirty years and very rarely
use much of the stuff that is given such tremendous importance on the
group - and much to the chagrin of several of the people on this list,
I'm sure, I'm
still alive and well!   I just attempt to instill a little balance to the
discussions.        Scott So.Cal.



Your logic works equally well to support not wearing seat belts, not
having a fire extinguisher in the home, not wearing a pfd.  All that
because I have never had an auto accident where a seat belt made any
difference, I have never been in a home that caught on fire and I have
never needed my pfd to save my life or even make a rescue easier.  Your
opinion is your opinion, but my opinion is that your opinion is certainly
not even a little bit balanced.  It seems to say that, since only an
immeasurably small number of paddlers fail to survive their trips,
prudent safety practices are not really that important.

Jim Tibensky
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From: Nick Schade <nick_at_guillemot-kayaks.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] SV: SV: T-Rescue not T-brace
Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2004 12:01:36 -0500
On Feb 29, 2004, at 5:06 PM, James wrote:

> I have been paddling on the ocean for over thirty years and very rarely
> use much of the stuff that is given such tremendous importance on the
> group - and much to the chagrin of several of the people on this list,
> I'm sure, I'm
> still alive and well!   I just attempt to instill a little balance to 
> the
> discussions.        Scott So.Cal.
>
> Your logic works equally well to support not wearing seat belts, not
> having a fire extinguisher in the home, not wearing a pfd.  All that
> because I have never had an auto accident where a seat belt made any
> difference, I have never been in a home that caught on fire and I have
> never needed my pfd to save my life or even make a rescue easier.

I haven't been reading this whole thread, but while I think it is a 
really good idea to always wear a PFD, there are times a rational 
person can make a reasonable choice to forego "best practice" without 
being irresponsible.

Last summer I brought some friends paddling. It was a warm day in the 
height of summer and the conditions were calm. I found I had forgotten 
to bring enough PFDs for everyone. So I gave the PFDs I did have to my 
friends and didn't wear one myself. It was unreasonable to make an hour 
round trip to my house to get one more PFD.  It was also silly to just 
go home without paddling.

There was a risk that I could have died due to the decision. But it 
would have required that I capsize by mistake (unlikely due to the 
conditions and my experience), I would then would have had to fail to 
roll (unlikely as I've got a reliable roll and am willing to keep 
trying until I get it). If I did resort to wet exit I would then need 
to fail to reenter, failing to reenter alone would then require the 
help of my friends or passing boats. If they couldn't help, I would 
need to be far enough from shore that I couldn't swim in order for the 
capsize to kill me (summer water is warm and we weren't going more than 
100 yds from shore the whole day).

OK, a heart attack or other catastrophic event could have created this 
situation, but the best way to limit the damage from these is to stay 
home with an ambulance running outside. Sometimes assuming a small 
amount of additional risk is worthwhile and OK.

Just because there are certain best practices which everyone should 
consider when going out in a small boat, it is not automatically 
irresponsible if someone chooses to skip something. A rational 
evaluation of the risks involved can result in the decision that a 
certain safety factor really doesn't change the risk substantially in a 
certain situation.

Whether it is a PFD or deck lines or carrying a VHF, signal flares, or 
whatever there are perfectly rational and responsible reasons why you 
might choose not to follow what would be considered the "safest" way to 
proceed. What is important is that you know what you are doing and why 
you are doing it.
Nick Schade

Guillemot Kayaks
824 Thompson St
Glastonbury, CT 06033
USA
Ph/Fx: (860) 659-8847
http://www.guillemot-kayaks.com/
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From: James <jimtibensky_at_fastmail.fm>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] SV: SV: T-Rescue not T-brace
Date: Mon, 01 Mar 2004 10:27:06 -0800
Just because there are certain best practices which everyone should
consider when going out in a small boat, it is not automatically
irresponsible if someone chooses to skip something. A rational evaluation
of the risks involved can result in the decision that a certain safety
factor really doesn't change the risk substantially in a certain
situation. 
Whether it is a PFD or deck lines or carrying a VHF, signal flares, or
whatever there are perfectly rational and responsible reasons why you
might choose not to follow what would be considered the "safest" way to
proceed. What is important is that you know what you are doing and why
you are doing it.
 
Nick Schade


I really overplayed my hand, as usual.  

I only meant that it is wise, prudent and important to allow for the
risks as best we can.  And, to me, deck lines are in the category of
"likely to be useful a lot of times when not really necessary, and
fantastic to have when necessary".  And it is important for leaders,
instructors and vocal folks to stay with the tradition that safety is
emphasized above almost everything.

So I was attempting to say that it is incumbent upon paddlers to
everything prudent to be safe and upon us to remind others, and be
reminded ourselves,that it is so.

Others are saying it better.  My skin on frame boat has no deck lines,
nor does one of my doubles.  And I have done, and continue to do, lots of
things that may kill me.  I didn't mean to be Caesar's wife, just a voice
of "reason."  If a poor voice at that.

Jim Tibensky
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From: <KiAyker_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] SV: SV: T-Rescue not T-brace
Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2004 07:21:19 EST
> Your logic works equally well to support not wearing seat belts, not
> having a fire extinguisher in the home, not wearing a pfd.  All that
> because I have never had an auto accident where a seat belt made any
> difference, I have never been in a home that caught on fire and I have
> never needed my pfd to save my life or even make a rescue easier.  Your
> opinion is your opinion, but my opinion is that your opinion is certainly
> not even a little bit balanced.  It seems to say that, since only an
> immeasurably small number of paddlers fail to survive their trips,
> prudent safety practices are not really that important.


   No, what I'm saying is that prudent safety practices are dependant on each 
individual paddling situation - paddler skill and experiance, enviroment and 
equipment. Two seperate paddling trips in two different locations may have 
very different requirements for what constitutes "prudent" safety practices. In 
fact two different paddlers on the same trip may still have very different 
requirements so that while a blanket safety rule may not be enough for one 
paddler, it may be total overkill for the other.
   But let's take a look at your argument, shall we?

You:   A paddler in Alaska needed to use a handgun to fend off an aggressive 
Grizzly Bear. That handgun saved his life. Therefore all paddlers should carry 
a loaded handgun with them at all times.

Me:   Yeah, but I live in Southern California, and even though the Grizzly 
Bear is our state symbol we don't have any of them living here anymore. In fact 
it would be a pretty strange situation if any kind of bear were to make it to 
the coast of Southern California. So why can't I leave the handgun home when 
I'm paddling locally and only carry it when I am out of state in bear country?

You:   Because you need practice carrying it, and get in the habit of having 
it with you. Besides, if you don't carry a handgun at all times then you will 
be setting a bad example to those people who do paddle in bear country and 
really should always carry one.

Me:   Yeah, but don't you think people are generally intelligent enough to 
make that distinction without needing you to do it for them?

You:   No.

Me:   Whatever!  


Scott
So.Cal.
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From: Doug Lloyd <dalloyd_at_telus.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] SV: SV: T-Rescue not T-brace
Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2004 21:14:46 -0800
>>>...often expressed by these sublime jesters.<<<

>Hey, I resemble that!...However, I have to believe that the very vast
majority of "sea kayaking"
is NOT done in extreme conditions and the novice reading this and other
newsgroups about this sport might get the impression that they cannot
participate in this activity responsibly unless they invest thousands of
dollars in rescue and safety equipment and fill their boat up with an
abundance of high tech crap!<

I can't remember, is it against listserver etiquette to openly bait?

No problem Scott at my end, always good to hear folks and their _reactions_.
As long as you know it's _always_ in fun and the interest of provoking
thought/discussion. However, you do make a bit of a jump from a discussion
about decklines (and PFD's I suppose -- that dead-horse we've beat so many
times, Paddlewise should be marketing its own signature-series glue by now),
to "thousands of dollars in rescue and safety equipment..."

Your post brought back some interesting memories from bygone days: In the
early eighties, a small group of Victoria paddlers allied themselves with a
local paddlesport retailer (who sold British kayaks) and formed a kayak
association (called O.K.A.B.C). We were wanting to adopt a BCU style
assessment/coaching scheme that might eventually spread across the land. A
group of dedicated paddlers in Vancouver changed their name to S.K.A.B.C
eventually and did everything they could to prevent "Victoria" from trying
to represent the sport.

At the first public meeting on this rather emotional-at-the-time subject, I
was sent over as a representative of the OKABC, and basically faced a
ravenous crowd who were none too happy to see me. There must have been
"SUCKER" written all over my head for volunteering to go. It was supremely
bitten off you might say. Anyway, the audience wailed away about the
possible implementation of mandatory decklines for all kayaks used on the
ocean. I'm not sure where they got the idea that the OKABC was trying to
foist this on BC paddlers (well, maybe I do; could have been the Brit-boat
retailer), but I was rather amused. This thread reminds me of that day long
ago.

Well, sorry for the history lesson. I would like to go on to quote Wayne
Horowich on the subject of PFD's however. Surely, he is a man of moderation
and balance from your neck of the woods. The following excerpt is off
Wayne's University of sea Kayaking website:

"Over the past few years I have re-evaluated my priorities and my
responsibilities to myself and others. Even though I have practiced putting
my PFD on in the water under all kinds of conditions I have to admit it is
impossible to do when you are unconscious. Once you admit to the possibility
that you could be rendered unconscious without significant warning then you
may start rethinking your desire to paddle without wearing your PFD.
Possibilities for sudden unconsciousness are: heart attack, stroke, seizure,
dehydration, hit by motorized craft, impact from large marine life, allergic
reaction to marine organism when hands or body are in the water (i.e.: jelly
fish type creatures, electric rays,...), hit by your own kayak or partner's
kayak in a surf zone, hitting a submerged object... only to mention a few."

He continues:

"I love my wife dearly. If she were to pass away suddenly I would be
devastated. She tells me she feels the same way about me. (Although I do
wonder why the sudden increase in my life insurance, by her request.)
Knowing how I would feel convinced me to minimize the possibilities of
making my wife a widow and put her through what I would never want to feel.
To put this in perspective, I still do things that are high risk but I also
calculate the possibilities. However, losing my life over a decision of
wearing a PFD is a no brainer. "Put up with a little discomfort Wayne and
wear the PFD!!!" are my words to myself."

He does go on to talk about occasion not to wear one's PFD, as well as
anecdotal highlights of backup uses of PFD's, etc. Food for thought, anyway,
for those interested in a balanced diet.

See you on the water some day. I'd like to see some of you Paddlewisers in
some real surf -- see if folks can put their money where their mouth is.
Likewise, I'm sure. 'Till then.

Doug Lloyd
Victoria BC
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From: Strosaker <strosaker_at_cox.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] SV: SV: T-Rescue not T-brace
Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2004 21:40:28 -0800
Paddlewisers,

Speaking of Wayne Horodowich's website (http://useakayak.org/), he just
added a section on the issue of wearing helmets, which came up because of a
recent head injury here in Southern California. It is under the
"Reflections" section. I'd link to the page directly, but the website uses
frames.

Duane Strosaker
Southern California
www.rollordrown.com


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Doug Lloyd" <dalloyd_at_telus.net>
To: <KiAyker_at_aol.com>
Cc: "paddlewise" <PaddleWise_at_paddlewise.net>
Sent: Monday, March 01, 2004 9:14 PM
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] SV: SV: T-Rescue not T-brace
>
> Well, sorry for the history lesson. I would like to go on to quote Wayne
> Horowich on the subject of PFD's however. Surely, he is a man of
moderation
> and balance from your neck of the woods. The following excerpt is off
> Wayne's University of sea Kayaking website:
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From: Steve Holtzman <sh_at_actglobal.net>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] T-Rescue not T-brace
Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2004 16:28:04 -0800
> [mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net] On Behalf Of Larry L. Storer
> 
> 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.  

Larry,

I find the T rescue to be a very viable rescue. If you have a heavily
loaded boat, instead of just trying to lift the boat over your combing,
I find the following technique (taught to me by Wayne Horodowich) to be
the best.

Prior to righting the boat, grab it's bow while it is at 90 degrees to
you. Lean way over so that your boat gets under the other boat's bow.
Then start righting your boat. You are now using the buoyancy of your
boat to help lift the capsized boat's bow. As soon as you get the boat
drained, flip it right side up, push, pull, and walk your boat around it
so that the boats are now bow to stern and perform a typical assisted
rescue.

Hope this helps. The technique has worked for me when the capsized boat
was too heavy for me to lift.

Steve Holtzman
Southern CA
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