The key question is: will trying to get them ashore exacerbate the existing problem or create new and more lethal ones? If the casualty is severely incapacitated then the answer is most probably yes. If seriously incapacitated then providing physical support is critical as they are going to capsize as soon as you let go of them and possibly not wet exit. Sending them off into the surf in their boat is suicide even if they use a drogue or what ever. Trying to support and surf them in will result in major carnage with new casualties resulting from boats smashing into each other (the Horror the Horror). Even tipping them out of their boat and letting them float in would be dicey as they may not be able to look after themselves, get caught in rips - the list goes on. We'd look at forming a raft to support the casualty and start a rotating V tow towards a safe landing spot. The supporting boat provides reassurance, water etc. to the casualty. We have effectively towed people for hours rotating towers every 20 mins. If you are miles from anywhere then tow into the prevailing conditions to maintain position and call in rescue services. Even if they have been severely injured (eg. shark attack or advanced hypothermia) I would be very reluctant to take them into the surf zone. Richard Sydney Australia *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************Received on Mon Jan 03 2005 - 05:47:16 PST
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:31:19 PDT