After our basic safety talk and game plan we headed out for the Pond at just about 0900. We paired off and were doing great working in pairs on wet exits, paddle float re-entry and roll up; rolling practice. Kirin's boat, having been repaired since a bulkhead leaked during Wayne's class, began leaking again. We beached and fitted a float bag in his bow hatch so he could complete the day.

Back into the flat pond with bracing back paddling strokes and the like. I completed a roll and, having shaken the water from my eyes and ears, saw before me an overturned kayak and its paddler attempting to scramble onto the overturned hull. I watched wondering what sort of new solo rescue technique I was going to see when Patrick, in a voice as calm as someone ordering a Big Mac at McDonalds said "he's dislocated his shoulder." Honestly believing that this was indeed a training exercise I paddled over to assist only to discover that this was not an exercise and the paddler was in pain from a shoulder injury. I got him onto the deck of my boat and Patrick, I believe, came to right the overturned boat. As we were about to transfer the injured paddler back to his boat the Coast Guard appeared in the Pond heading towards the harbor. They did not respond to a series of 3 short whistle blasts but did respond to our radio call.

The Coast Guard boat stopped short of us; to get us closer two paddlers attempted to push my boat, from the side, towards the CG boat (gee, what are all these wonderful tow ropes around everybody's waist for??????) until the CG said to take him to shore because they may further injure him by lifting him on board. At this point Patrick affixed a tow rope to my bow and began to tow us towards shore. About 100 yards from shore the injured paddler tried to reach forward with his injured arm and wound up sliding off my deck and into the water, face down. Now, the angle of the tow was such that my kayak was slightly on edge and leaning over to right the injured paddler tended to increase the instability. Somehow, I was able to turn him over on his back and support him by his PFD shoulder straps which were properly tight and complete the tow to shallow water; effectively a "hand of God" rescue. Note that Class III PFD's are not meant to support the victim face up, only vertical which usually means face down.

At the injured's request, paramedics were cancelled. Now the problem gets more involved. His boat had been towed back to Hobie. Luckily, Harbor Patrol came out to assist the CG and their boat could come in shallow enough to get the injured on board and transport him back. End of rescue practice!

Seriously, this could have had disastrous results. This is the third or fourth time a rescue practice has become real and each time we learn something. The calm seas, proximity of shore and Coast Guard allowed us to do things that in other circumstances could have resulted in further injury or death.

My critique:
The first response was quick--the closest paddler got there and stabilized the victim. His boat was righted and we were in a position to get him into his boat. We had good team work and everybody was calm. My thought is we should have gotten him into his boat regardless of the proximity of potential rescue; if the seas had not been so smooth his place on my deck with only a single usable arm for stability was unsafe. My radio was handy, I don't know about anybody else's radio but it was still difficult to maintain stability while holding the victim and grab the radio at the same time. I would have liked another to take over the job of hailing the CG. Instead of pushing me towards the CG a tow rope should have been affixed as I could not paddle and stabilize the victim at the same time. Pushing me sideways in any type of swell could have capsized me and the victim. Nobody involved in the group should have left, especially with the injured's boat, until the victim was definitely secure. The primary rescuer should have taken full control and no one should have acted without communicating to him and awaiting an answer. Any other comments welcome.

My Take:
I am beginning to develop a Darwinian approach. In the past two weeks I have rescued a 2 year experienced paddler who got sea sick and literally fell out of his boat; a young tourist who took a "commercial" tour of the La Jolla Caves sans PFD or helmet and was trashed by an incoming wave while inside a cave and swam out with bloody feet from the rocks (lucky it wasn't her head or face); another novice paddler who attempted a bow rescue and failed; and I participated yesterday. Instruction should be left to the paid professionals with these practice sessions only to practice and reinforce what has been already learned. We have excellent instructors among the professional kayak shops that have teaching techniques that are much better than most of ours. I will speak for myself and hope that the others agree that participation in these events be limited to those individuals who have had a professional class in basic strokes, forwards strokes, basic bracing and rescue/assisted techniques or have otherwise demonstrated their ability to one of the announcers of the event.

Considering the totality of the circumstances surrounding the injury, there is no culpability, but it happened on "my watch" as the saying goes and for that I am deeply sad as is everyone else involved. It could have been much worse, I hope it never is. I know what shoulder pain is--it is long lasting and extremely painful. I hope for a quick recovery.

    Mike Brown

At first I thought that it was a drill, until you stated waving frantically at the inbound Coast Guard cutter. I thought you did a good job of coordinating things, including instructions to the group, signaling the Coast Guard and managing the rescue. The guys who pushed the kayak acted appropriately for the very calm conditions and distances. If it were farther to go or rougher conditions, they could have taken you in a side tow or stern tow.

As for putting the victim back in the boat-- it is necessary to make provisions to stabilize his kayak, either via a side tow or by improvising an "outrigger," using a paddle float. In the very calm conditions we had and with the victim not seriously injured, he probably could have stayed upright on his own.

I was the one who towed his kayak in. I didn't even notice until I was halfway back that the kayak was half full of water and bow heavy. At that point, it was easier to take it in a side tow to stabilize it directionally than to pump it out. If conditions were rougher, I would have covered the cockpit with a garbage bag and bungie, in case it capsized. A side tow with the towed kayak offset a few feet back gives good control and has proven to be the best way for me to tow an empty kayak, unless conditions are really rough.

I thought that the victim did pretty well, considering the injury. He even tied his kayak down after we put it on his car, then drove home. I don't believe I would have been up to that, with a dislocated shoulder. Please let him know that I ended up with an extra bilge pump and a bag of food, which are probably his!

We are in debt to you, Steve "Foggy Day" Holtzman, Darwin "Racer" Duane, Dublin Dave "Mr. Fletcher" O'Connor and Steve "Mad Man" Brown, for multiple rescue practices sponsored over the years. I only wish that more of the people most in need would show up and participate. I was pleased to see some new people last Sunday. I agree that all members should take professional training first. With the great lineup of local professionals available and CKF club discounts making it so cheap, there is absolutely no excuse not to do something that would so much increase members' safety and enjoyment in kayaking. Those of you who still haven't-- what are you all waiting for-- an invitation? Then consider THIS email to be your personal invitation. Write me and I will personally help you set up a session, if you're not sure how to go about it. Len Goodman may also be willing to assist.