A big discussion got started after I sent a trip report to Reef El Cabezo and Matt Broze asked me about the rescue method I use after a wet exit.

I explained the method and Matt suggested giving it a name, which I did, and got some other questions and the debate started on traditional paddlefloat rescue invented by him, reentry and roll, the California style, ACA teachings, etc.

So, I promised I was going to the lake, rescue myself using the "Mexican Rescue" method and have somebody take some pictures,.. and here they are. Additionally I was going to show that it is possible to hand pump in this arrangement with the sprayskirt in place.

My colleague Juan Luis rode a Hydrobike to be stable and close in order to video film the sequence. From the video we digitized the most relevant pictures.

You can find them at http://community.webshots.com/user/cayucochief. I can send the video to anybody interested if contacted off list.

There are two albums at the beginning. One is the Mexican Rescue and the other uses ACA free shaft paddlefloat rescue until inside of cockpit, and then I use the blade under the thigh-brace outrigger, in order to pump comfortably, since the paddle was not fixed behind the cockpit.

There are some things to mention here.

1. I learned under the ACA teachings with excellent instructor trainer Andree Hurley.
2. I have seen to tiredom the excellent tape Performance Sea Kayaking, in its rescue section.
3. I did try for three years and thousands of rolls the most comfortable method for me.
4. I teach Matt´s method and/or ACA method and allow students to try climbing on the bow or stern side of the paddleshaft, and with fixed or loose paddle and with and without stirup.
5. I can roll with certain confidence now, but when a needed wet exit, I rather use the Mexican Rescue, specially under rough conditions or cold water.

It is obvious that it is easier to do under low wind conditions like in the pictures. Unfortunately I could not control that, but if you try it under shaky waters you´ll see that it works as well.

On the second album (ACA method), the first steps are the same and are obviated, starting when climbing on the boat. The outrigger arrangement is the same.

Finally, I will place on my boats a quick release string on the right side (or left side for left handed people), at mid cockpit coaming, that will hold the shaft and then I will be very very stable, and will be able to fish, eat, take pictures, etc.

Hope you like it

Best Regards,

    Rafael Mier-Maza
    El cayuco chief
    www.mayanseas.com

In less than 48 hours there were 1,673 hits in the Mexican Rescue Technique album at my webshots pictures. Thanks a lot. This means that many people are worried about rescues and methods that may work better for them.

For that reason I am placing a drawing with the last addition to the technique, that allows the outrigger to be totally fixed to the kayak. You can find it at: http://community.webshots.com/user/cayucochief in the first album. (only one drawing).

I want to honour Matt Broze´s philosophy and make it public before somebody thinks about patenting this or a similar arrangement.

The idea is really very simple. Just place a string on the side of the coaming, securing it to the hull or to the safety line. After placing the paddlefloat on one blade and the other blade under the thigh brace, just turn the string around the shaft and pull it into a cleat until the shaft is more or less tight to the coaming.

You can place the sprayskirt on, just leaving a small opening for the shaft.

Now you can lean slightly on that side and do whatever you want with both hands.

Once through, just pull the string off the cleat and release the paddle. There are many alternatives to this arrangement. Linda Day suggests placing a carabiner and just hook it to the safety line. You can use a string with a stainless steel quick disconnect.

I´ll put this arrangement as standard equipment on my personal boats.

Hope you like it and thanks for your interest.

One final word. It is possible to make a sprayskirt that has a SLEEVE, so that you can slide the paddle in the sleeve and place it under the thigh brace, without removing the sprayskirt. That would make a fixed oturigger without risk of water entering the cockpit.