[Paddlewise] Symposia Save Lives -or- Clue-up or Die

My friend Pam sent this to me and gave me permission to post it on
Paddlewise. It speaks for itself but that won't stop us from commenting on
it. :)

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>From Pam Powell:

Well, another interesting day yesterday.  I took both the Sprite and the
Tern up to Port Orchard, as I knew the husband of the head tech wanted to
try the Tern.  Of course, work ran late, and we ended up after six pm when
we launched at the Manchester boat ramp.  We had discussed where to paddle,
and decided to try and go around Blake Island. It's about 3 Nautical miles
to the far side, and we figured a paddling time of two hours or less.  That
would put us back at heavy dusk.     He found the Tern to be a bit unstable,
which he found odd, as he had paddled them at a Symposium before.  The
weather was light, with wind less than five, and most waves basically boat
wakes. Tide not influential.
    Well, he capsized about 3/4 mile out.  I was looking at him and a wave
caught the kayak just as he had turned his head and was finishing a stroke
on the downwind side.  Over he went.  Head hardly submerged as the
sprayskirt was a bit large and came off instantly.  I headed right over, and
he had the boat righted as I got there.
     Did I mention that this Tern has no bulkheads?  In the class I took
with George Groseth, he insists that you have the primary floatation and a
backup, so we did have floatation bags both ends AND were using the Sea
Sock.  Less than a gallon of water in the boat.
    Unfortunately, though I was in a drysuit, he had eschewed his wetsuit
and was in fleece and a paddle jacket.  Was rather cold in the water.
    We tried an assisted rescue and he couldn't make it up onto the back
deck.  The Tern does have a minimum of deck cords, as I have been waiting to
install the perimter lines until I get the bulkheads installed.  He tried
reaching over and grabbing the deck lines on the Sprite, but the reflective
lines I have installed stretch lots when wet.  Also, with no intermediate
secure points, just bow and by cockpit, the lines showed tremendous
deviation when pressure was applied in the middle (law of physics).  He was
getting tired after several attempts.
   I asked if he wanted to try a paddlefloat assisted rescue and he said
yes.  I had him hand me the floatation bag to blow up, as I find the process
to be exhausting while I am in the water.  We got the bag on the paddle (the
paddle leash was wrapped completely around the boat, had to deal with it)
and he made it into the cockpit with the float assist. Pumped out most of
the water but he was still sitting in some.
      He was ready to keep paddling to the island, as he had correct
underlayers and he warmed quickly.  I mentioned a possible second capsize
and we quickly agreed to return to launch point.
      Where do the Symposia come in?  I have taken rescue classes at them,
he has taken a couple.  We had not paddled together before but both knew how
to rescue and had a backup plan.

Mistakes:  Shouldn't have done an open water crossing with a new boat.  He
should have had a drysuit on, or his wetsuit at the least. We should have
talked more about abilities.  The problem with the Tern was, I believe, that
it was not only not fit for him, most of the fitting material had been
removed for larger people to use the boat.  We were late in the day, if we
had had to call for help it would be getting dark.

Good things:  Floatation and Sea Sock.  Paddle float and back up paddle
float, and extra paddle.  VHF radio (checked the weather report just before
we started). Good weather.  Stayed close together when paddling, minimum
delay in starting rescue. Both of us had practiced rescues, though not with
each other. Neither of us started exhausted, both had eaten.  Both of us had
taken NSAIDS before starting (never underestimate the wearing effects of
pain). Both were well hydrated.

    I believe the fact this didn't go bad quickly was because of good
instruction at the kayak Symposiums.  I am thankful that we were able to get
him back in, I would guess in about 10 minutes.
     Well, got away with it this time.  Will try to be smarter next time,
and make the trip decisions better.

     How was your day?
                                Pam
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