Re: [Paddlewise] Ferry Crew Rescues Seattle Kayaker - Update - Sponsons?

   I've taught the paddlefloat rescue for more then twenty years. I have 
always stressed that the rescue should be done on the downwind side of 
the boat for the very simple reason that if you lose your grip on your 
boat during the rescue attempt then you want the boat to be blown into 
you rather then away from you. If you do the rescue correctly then you 
should always have your weight leaning in the direction of the 
paddlefloat (downwind) so that if you lose it you will fall back into 
the water on that side and not on the upwind side. That said, one of the 
most common mistakes made by inexperienced paddlers attempting this 
rescue is to get too high on their boats as they climb up on it and then 
lean the wrong way and re-capsize on the side opposite the paddlefoat. 
This means that in windy conditions, which are the type likely to 
capsize the paddler in the first place, the boat can very quickly be 
blown away faster then the paddler can possibly swim, especially when 
slowed down by the drag of the sprayskirt and pfd. In such cases 
beginning the rescue on the upwind side would mean that when you screw 
up and fall back into the water then you would fall on the downwind side 
of the boat - which would be a good thing - I guess :-)

   I think the real problem here is people putting too much faith in 
their equipment. One must constantly practice with and maintain their 
rescue equipment for it to be considered a reasonably reliable resource. 
Which is just another way of saying what I am always saying, it's not 
really about the equipment - it's about the skills. The fellow on the 
Youtube video had obviously done very little, if any, practice with the 
paddlefloat. He probably bought it and read the instructions and figured 
he was covered. By his own admission the good doctor has minimal 
experience with the paddlefloat as well. Yet he seemed to figure that it 
was OK to go out in extreme conditions by himself simply because he had 
one as a backup. Derek mentions s-devices - but once again, if you don't 
practice with them then carrying them may do more damage then good by 
instilling a false sense of confidence in the paddler. Of course if one 
is willing to put in the constant practice required then the sponsons 
are not necessary and the paddlefloat will more then suffice. Being all 
about the hubris, I personally no longer carry a paddlefloat since I 
consider it overly redundant for my own abilities :-)

Scott
So.Cal.
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