Interesting Rescue Practice
This was the third year in a row that I have hosted (this time co-hosted) a
rescue practice for CKF. The purpose of these practices was to get together
to practice, not to receive instruction, although some of that does end up
happening informally. The president of the club, Mark Brodeur, held a
beginning rescue class last weekend for those wanting instruction.
Even though today's event was rescue practice, not a rescue class, my
co-host, Anneli Kyner, did go ahead and demonstrate a few rescues on the sand
before our group of 13 people launched. After her demonstration, one of the
participants, who I will refer to as Kayaker X (who is on this list and can
identify himself and elaborate if he wants), stepped in on his own and did a
good job demonstrating a couple of other rescues on the sand too. He seemed
to know what he was doing.
As we paddled a half mile out into the open ocean (calm day), KX told me that
his sea kayak was being repaired, which is why he was paddling a river
running white water kayak instead.
Shortly after everyone started doing rescues, I was warming up by sculling
and noticed that KX appeared to be setting up to try to roll, with his long
time kayaking partner standing by to give him a bow rescue if needed. I
continued sculling, and when I looked back over at KX about 30 seconds later,
I saw him upside down in his kayak, his hands frantically splashing at the
water surface, and his partner a few feet away. I could tell he was in
trouble, and I yelled for anyone to help him while I started paddling the 30
feet over to him as fast as I could.
About 10 feet from KX was Barbara Levine, who I assume is a grandmother, if
not already a great grandmother, and she smartly paddled right over to him
and gave him a bow, and he pulled himself up. Quite simply, Barbara saved
his live!
I paddled up to KX, and he looked like he saw a ghost. His sprayskirt was
still on. He blamed his partner for not giving him a bow, and his explanation
for not being able to wet exit was that he wasn't use to the tighter knee
braces, even though he claimed he had wet exited from that very kayak in the
past. I told him to take his sprayskirt off. Later, when he was recovered
from the scare, I told him to do a wet exit to get his confidence (and mine) back.
KX's partner said that he gave him a bow, but KX pushed it away, apparently
in panic. He thought maybe KX wasn't use to the whitewater sprayskirt.
I couldn't believe the whole thing and was glad everyone signed the club
liability waiver!
Then I was called over to help a small group trying to empty a kayak that was
about to sink. It was one of those recreational sea kayaks that was about 14
feet long, made of plastic, and had rubber hatches. The guy, about 250
pounds, was trying to do a cowboy self-rescue, and in the process, he
accidentally knocked off the back hatch, which caused the back storage area
to flood. The cockpit area was already flooded from the wet exit. The only
thing floating the kayak was the front storage area.
I started to try to get the guy to do the curl rescue, but he was too tired.
It ended up taking three of us to pull the flooded kayak over ours and drain
enough water to allow for pumping. I couldn't believe how heavy that kayak
was and how hard it was to get the water out of it. The guy said that he had
previously expressed concern about the hatches accidentally coming off to a
company rep, who told him not to worry about it. I, as well as some others,
suggested that he keep some floatation bags in the kayak in case the hatch
comes off again.
Later, this same guy wasn't able to get into his kayak with a paddle float
and had to be helped back in. If you are overweight or paddle with someone
overweight, be especially aware of the difficulties with rescues.
Afterwards, I suggested to him that he do some reading on self and assisted
rescues with slings and to practice near shore in the bay.
Another guy had one of those sleek fiberglass Heritage SOT's, and he had a
lot of difficulty getting back into it without a paddle float. However, he
did just fine with a paddle float. This wasn't the first time I saw a SOT
paddler have trouble getting back into the boat. They should practice
rescues too, and some of them should carry paddle floats also.
One woman, who is a very fast paddler and had been on many guided trips in
Baja, didn't appear to have done rescues before. She learned a lot today and
was by far the most improved.
All in all, it was a very interesting rescue practice. Again, it was a
practice, not a class, so it was expected that the participants had some
training or experience. Most of them did and were doing great safely
practicing and experimenting, and they even had a lot of fun. I was there to
practice and have fun too, so I gave only a very limited amount of
instruction to those who needed it. Like I already said, instruction was
already offered by Mark last week. I just wish that learning and practicing
rescues was more prevalent in sea kayaking. A lot more work needs to be done
in this aspect of the sport.
Duane
Yesterday I attended Duane Stosaker's rescue clinic off Dana Point and had a
near miss with drowning.
About 10-12 paddled about 1/2 mile outside the harbor entrance to practice
rolls, deep water rescues, wet exits, paddle float rescues, etc.
I borrowed a river kayak that was a tight fit for my large frame. It had a
very tight fitting neoprene spray skirt with knee braces and a bulkhead
between the legs. I did not adjust the foot pegs before leaving the harbor.
When I tipped over and my first two roll attempts failed, I seeked
assistance by banging on my hull. My spotter came over and I tried to lift
myself up using his bow but slipped and his boat was pushed away. I reached
again but could not get his boat.
I tried to wet exit but could not reach the grab loop for the spray skirt
because I had accidentally put it on the inside of my tight fitting spray
deck. I tried to push loose but my legs were wedged up against the thigh
braces. Because I had not adjusted the footpegs, I couldn't loosen my legs
in the upside down confusion.
I knew that I could be in deep doo doo!
I banged my hull again this time more wildly. I tried to roll up again to
grab a breath of air but could not. I did this several times more. I felt
for my partners boat.
Finally, a hull came close to my grasp and I was able to surface. (You know
your name. Thank you very much!) Duane had observed my struggle and came
along my side. He wisely suggested that I not put the spray deck on the
boat again and only practice wet exits.
On the surface, the other kayakers said that they had no idea of my few
seconds of torment. They thought I was practicing but a breath away of
swallowing the briney death.
Lessons learned:
- Don't be overconfident. Check the fit of an unfamiliar boat before you
leave shore. Short foot pegs in my craft made wet exit very difficult.
- Keep the spray deck grab loop on deck at all times. This was my near
fatal mistake! My borrowed spray deck was too tight and I had no way of
pulling it loose.
- Practice bow rescues with your partner. Be certain of your signals and
technique. Eskimos were attached to their boat and could not wet exit. The
bow rescue was their first and only line of defense when rolls fail.
- Paddle with other kayakers. Though I could have swallowed water and
passed out, I was in the company of many excellent paddlers. I am confident
that someone would have come to my assistance had I become incapacitated.
- Practice all rescue techniques regularly.
A heartfelt, "thank you" to Duane for having this excellent clinic. I
learned a lot!
Stephen Nestel
Steve and CKF,
I'm really glad your okay and the drowning was avoided. You mentioned a
couple of lessons learned and a couple of other things I noticed.
First of all, I often teach basic kayaking and rescue techniques. I have
been doing this for free as I can't afford the liability that goes along with
becoming a professional instructor. If I turn professional and lead a social
trip I'm liable and that's all there is to it.
Many paddlers sit back and watch not reacting to a paddler in trouble. They
assume he or she will be okay and I've seen this many times. Lets face it,
nobody hangs upside down in a kayak with water up their nose for the fun of
it. I always emphasize to get to the person and offer assistance without
being told to. Especially when they see hands banging on the hull after
making a couple attempts at a roll. Always always give assistance and not
assume the person just likes hanging around upside down in the water....
I'm not pointing to you Steve when I say this but more addressing the club.
Always make sure your boat and gear fits. Never enter a boat you can't get
out of easily. Man it just sucks when your upside down. The spray skirt is
never on until you've checked the pull handle and where it's located. I made
the same mistake once and had the pull handle tucked under the spray skirt.
I was lucky though and a buddy noticed and pointed it out to me.
Again I'll say this, always paddle over to any paddler upside down and be
ready to offer assistance. Allow he or she to try their roll and be close to
lend help if they need it. I haven't seen any paddler grow gills under there
yet. I always emphasize this in my classes and one of the reasons I insist
on practice paddles with people who desire to join me on long paddles I lead.
I want people with me that will help my butt if I get into trouble as well as
help other members of the group without being told to. It sounds so simple
but there are many out there that watch and wait.
Your comment about being over confident is so true Steve. There are many
people out there that forget about the basics and are leading trips when they
shouldn't. The main problem with this sport is that the basics cover so many
different areas when leading trips. Gear, boats, paddle techniques, launch
times, reading the weather and water as you paddle, destination and
conditions between point A and B, not to mention qualifications of trip
members. The list of things good trip leaders need to know goes on and on.
Please all of you, if a paddler is in the water, whether it's a SOT boat or
closed deck paddler, get to him fast and be ready to get them out.
Gregg Remer
Glad you're ok! Sounds like you made (and survived) a couple of dumb
mistakes, but you're not alone. Below is what I e-mailed to sea kayaker
magazine in response to their request for incidents like yours (ours). I
don't know if they will print it, but it may be of use. I suggest you send
in yours as well (chris@seakayakermag.com). I have talked with at least one
other experienced paddler that has had a similar panicky experience, so "we"
are not alone. Also, when my daughter was learning she had a panicky
experience during an exit. She insisted on trying again before packing up
for the day -- a very good decision.
*******************
Nov 99 I had just learned to roll and I rented an Arctic Hawk to try out for
a few days. On the day I rented it I took it out alone to get used to it,
and try some rolls. I made good progress and managed my first offside rolls,
but then missed one, tried again, and again, and tried I'm not sure how many
times before giving up due to lack of air. I calmly reached for the grab
loop and pulled, but all I got was a handful of gear off my deck. This
cockpit was much shorter than the one I was used to and the loop wasn't in
the expected position. I fumbled some more, then panicked and began trying
to thrash my way out of the boat. Eventually I realized that if I didn't
calm down I was going to drown. Just as I started to collect myself I came
out of the boat. It was a fairly sloppy fitting spray skirt. I dragged
myself and the boat to shore, caught my breath, took the gear off the deck,
and went back out for some more practice.
Now I'm careful to keep gear away from the grab loop spot. Also, after
having a few exits (well, more than a few) in surf where my body position my
not be related to the boat in the usual way, I start at my neck, run my hand
down to my belly button and out to the loop. This always find the loop.
March 01 I had decided to outfit the cockpit of my NDK Greenlander Pro with
neoprene instead of minicell foam. It was very tight. I noticed I had to
squeeze my thighs under the combing on shore, but I wanted to paddle so I
went anyway (very dumb). I did a couple of rolls right away, no problem. A
few minutes later we stopped off point Fermin (San Pedro Ca) where I usually
practice a few more rolls in the waves at the point. I was trying some rolls
where I roll up on the same side as I go down. One side was working, but I
kept missing on the other. I kept trying that side until I realized that I
couldn't move my knees into the right position to roll. When upside-down my
wetsuit and the neoprene padding were locked together. I was low on air so I
went for an exit. My legs wouldn't come out, they were stuck. This scared
me (allot) and I started to get that panicky feeling again, but I managed to
stay calm enough to pry one leg out with my hands. The other leg then came
out ok. I tried a re-entry and roll, but I couldn't get back into the boat
well enough to roll up (too sticky). I got an assist from my partner, and
paddled very tentatively the rest of the day.
I tried reducing the thickness of the neoprene, but it never did work right.
It is just to sticky when up against a wet suit. Hard to get out of, and
impossible to reposition yourself under water if your thighs are out of
position. I removed the neoprene and replaced it with generous amounts of minicell. I
would discourage anyone from using neoprene outfitting.
My opinion is that when your oxygen gets below a certain level your brain
basically goes on automatic. I think it's important to start your exit
before you get to this point. Also, try out your outfitting carefully on
shore before paddling.
Steve Brown
Stephen,
Some helpful hints that may help in the future and
others. One important lesson obviously is always make
certain your grab loop is exposed! But, there have
been many who have experienced failure of the grab
loop from tearing off or not being able to pull a
tightly fitted skirt over the front of the cockpit
combing. In this case, regardless of how tight the
skirt is on the boat, the weakest area of the skirt is
just in front of the hips. Should the grab loop fail,
grab the skirt on one side at the cockpit combing
where the opening of the cockpit begins to narrow and
roll it over the cockpit rim. Slide your fingers under
the small opening created and pull the skirt open
(this will only open the side). Then, reach across
with the other hand flip it over the tip of the
cockpit combing where the grab loop is/was-do this
even if it seem to pop over itself making the movement
a habit just in case that one time it doesn't pop
over. This wet exit should be practiced as often as
you do using a grab loop if not more. I rarely ever
use my grab loop especially in the surf because the
force of the water can prevent you from bending
forward and reaching it.
The tight fit of the boat would have still been a
problem even if you popped the skirt because the skirt
only restricts you from dropping. I paddle several
boats for surf play and one specialized surf boat that
has an extremely tight skirt fit that requires me to
wedge in and wriggle slowly into the boat. I am wedged
in very very tight (necessary for moves). The best
exit on a tight fit boat is not using your legs to
push out. This is a habit that loose cockpits breads
and should be avoided because on a long tour there
may be a time when gear shifts into place and prevents
leg extension. Grab the cockpit on the sides near the
hip and push slightly-gravity should already have
seperated your butt from the seat. Don't push with the
legs. Instead, lean towards the deck and push your
butt towards the back of the seat. The angle creates a
pivit point that will move your butt over the back of
the cockpit. Once your butt moves outward, slide the
boat off like a pair of wet jeans-don't push with the
legs. Pushing in a tight boat will lock the legs in
the boat, which is what occurs when agressively
edging, turning, rolling, etc.
As for rolls, there is one roll that works very well
in almost any condition. If your roll fails and you
find that your partner cannot manuever into position
for an assisted roll an extended paddle roll or
extended paddle sculling brace will allow a tired
person an opporuntity for a roll or at least a breath
of air. I practice this often as a form of play to
keep the boat on its side toward incomming boat wakes,
letting the boat roll partly onto the deck then back
onto the its side. Slide your roll side hand to where
your off side hand is. Then slide your off side hand
to the tip of the paddle blade. Set up and sweep from
the deck out towards the side and even carry it
towards the stern. The amount of leverage on the water
is significant. Grab a breath and go back down if you
don't succeed. If you scull after the intial sweep you
can virtually lay on the water on your side with your
head just out of the water on your shoulder.
I hope this helps others. Be safe.
Chris Russ
This is certainly an interesting observation by Steve. Frankly I had never
thought about it until now either. However, I don't really consider it to be
the problem that the rest of you seem to. I have never really considered the
banging on the hull to get attention approach to be all that realistic. It
was handed down to us from the Inuit who, as I understand it, were fasten
into their cockpits making a wet exit impossible (not to mention the small
chance of survival in the really cold water). They had little choice ---
summon help or drown. I understand drowning was a pretty common cause of
death among the Inuit males.
These days I believe that the drumming on the hull technique really has
very little application to the sea kayaker. I mean, is it really feasible
that one can sit contentedly underwater drumming on their hull and expect a
fellow paddler to offer up assistance before they pass out? In this one
particular instance it worked out. But this was a fairly controlled
situation, and even then look at the problems that came up as a result.
Unless you are paddling with a very close group of friends who regularly
practice such rescues, and paddle really close to each other so as not to
take up too much time positioning the boat in the event of such a mishap, I
just don't see it happening.
The real problem in this one particular scenario is really not so much an
issue of whether or not drum on the hull as it is an issue of using improper
equipment which prohibited a proper wet exit! I've said it any number of
times that the most important skill any sea kayaker can attain is the ability
to apply good judgment and common sense. To paraphrase Derek Hutchinson,
learning to roll is a success in kayaking. Needing to roll is a failure.
If you still think that drumming on the hull is a viable way to attract
attention and be rescued without doing a wet exit, then I have a challenge
for you. Over the next couple of months, without warning your paddling
buddies, I challenge you to capsize during a paddle, and stay in your boat
while drumming on the hull, and let's see how many of you are able to hold
your breath until you are rescued. I will be really surprised if even one
person makes it. But if you really believe that this is a feasible means of
rescue, then prove me wrong.
Scott
Here's another assisted rescue to practice - it's sometimes called "the
hands of god" rescue. The rescuer paddles along side the capsized boat
and places both hands in the cockpit area on the overturned kayak. Push
down on the near side and pull up on the far side. ASAP, grab the life
jacket (which, of course is ON and well fitting) of the victim to help
pull up, but continue pushing down on the hull. If the victim is
concious, this is relatively easy, if not, it can be hard work -
practice with an incapacitated victim too!
I've used this one pretty
often since many people become disoriented underwater and only seek a
bow rescue on one side (even in controlled "I'll spot your roll" type
scenerios). Should the spotter be on the opposite side, a quick option
is to roll up the boat as outlined above.
I completely agree that bow rescues and "hands of god" rescues do
require controlled situations and a level of readiness and awareness
that most of us don't engage on typical outings. But I DO think they
are worth practicing and that trip leaders should be capable of
orchestrating a level of group management under which these rescues
could be employed. If the Inuits could do it because they had no choice,
we ought to be able to do it too. The rougher conditions get (cold
water or not), the less we should consider a wet exit a reasonable
alternative to ANY way of staying in our kayak.
The random capsize on a
typical paddle in good weather probably won't benefit from either rescue
(nor is it particularly likely to need to). But if you've practiced
these rescues, then when your beautiful weather turns sour, a little
aggressive group management can create a controlled situation with
experienced folks stationed directly alongside inexperienced folks and
expecting a capsize. Under such careful orchestration, bow rescues and
'hands of god' rescues can work - I've done them in exactly such
circumstances.
Finally, if my paddling partners and I have
deliberately created a controlled situation in response to poor paddling
conditions in which we hope to use these rescues, then should I capsize
and fail to roll, I'm most certainly going to pound (not drum or tap,
but pound) on the bottom of my hull to be certain that my rescue buddy
isn't looking at a seal or something. I'm not going to wait til I die,
but I might wait long enough not to swim.
MOST of the rescue skills we learn and practice are completely useless
outside the realm of group dynamics and management. We only fool
ourselves if we isolate the skills from the way in which the skills are
actually employed. It's not an issue that's unique to bow rescues, but
merely a matter of degrees. The Inuits had the skills and the group
dynamics to make these rescues feasible. If we don't, it's only because
we have learned not to rely on each other so dearly, not because
kayaking has changed. We can certainly unlearn that. It's really a
matter of what each of us chooses to make feasible (which is one of my
favorite things about kayaking). Choose from your own soul.
Jen (Aqua Adventures)
Submitted on July 21, 2001