"ChipsCheeseandMayo" wrote in
oups.com:

Hi there,

I am involved in teaching to people to kayak, and inevitably sometimes
they fall in. Before anyone gets too horrifed - yes, I can rescue
someone but I need to use them to help empty the kayak.

My problem is I am physically quite weak, quite short and quite light.
(5'3" and about 9stone)

I find it generally impossible to empty a kayak unaided (the "victim"
helps as I am instructing solo). To elaborate - I drag the capsized
kayak over my own (usually we use Pyranha Masters which are quite
large) I get it so that the cockpit is over my cockpit. I lean out as
far as I can to try and use my weight to see-saw the kayak. It is at
this point I fail dismally. I am entirely incapable of getting the
water logged end of the boat (the rear end usually with twin air bags)
out of the water so that I can drain water out.

First, the use of whitewater kayaks with float bags may be part of the
problem. If the the float bags don't fill in all of the gaps you're going
to get some water in the stern and it's going to be harder to lift.



I also find it difficult, particularly with larger individuals to get
them back into the kayak. They usually find the
lie-on-your-back-and-get-your-feet-in first method is easiest for them
so this is the method I often use.

The trick here is to make sure that they're lying on their stomach first and
keeping the center of gravity low (keep their head and chest close to the
rear deck) and then rotate their body as they slide their feet in. It can
be especially tricky with a whitewater boat that has a support structure in
the bow because you've got to cross your feet while lying on your stomach
before turning over.


It takes all of my strength and both
hands to hold their kayak so I am unable to assist them in anyway.
There have been times when I 've been pretty close to not being able to
m hold the boat for them.
You need to really get your upper body onto their boat (I assume you're
orienting the boats bow to stern first), grab onto the cockit rim, then pull
the boats together. Once you're laying on the bow deck of their boat it
makes a stable platform. I've had people stand up in the cockpit of their
boat before sitting down but it's much easier if they're taking direction
and keeping their center of gravity low.

As I instruct solo (despite strong suggestions to the management this
may not be the best idea) I find this quite scary. I am the only
competent person with a group of eight novices. What if the victim is
too shocked to help me open the boat? What if I physically cannot get
the peron back into the boat because they are too heavy?

You may want to practice a "hand of god" rescue with someone that is
intentionally unresponsive. There are techniques for getting someone back
upright if, for example, they've dislocated a shoulder. If they're still
cognitively responsive you can have them put their feet in the cockit of
their boat as it's lying on it's side. Then grab the back of their PFD with
one hand and and the cockpit rim of their boat with the other. If you pull
them toward the back deck as you turn their boat back upright it's much
easier. You'll have to pump/sponge out a lot of water but at least they're
back in their boat and upright.

Dealing with a unresponsive or worse yet a victim in a state of panic is
another story. As cruel as it may sound sometimes you may even have to push
someone away from your boat if you think that the may try to climb onto your
boat and cause you to capsize as well. When someone capsizes the very first
thing you need to do is establish verbal communication to determine their
psychological state. You must take control and let them know that you can
only help them if they listen and follow your instructions.

I would really appreciate any (useful) feedback and hints and tips from
you guys on both these aspects of the rescue (incidentally my technique
using the above methods is fine - it is strength that is lacking).

Here's a trick you might try. After the victim has capsized tell them to
turn their boat back upright and hold on to it. Paddle up to it and grab
onto the bow. Then have them work their way to your boat and around the
stern (or preferably the bow where you can watch them) to the other side of
your boat. Position the bow of their boat just in front of your cockpit.
When they're along side your boat have them reach across and grab the bow
loop on their boat, put both feet on the side of your boat and lean back.
That will pull their boat across the foredeck of your boat. At that point
you have a very large outrigger so you should be able to turn the boat over
and continue to slide the boat over until the water drains from the cockpit.
Rotate the boat away from back upright and slide it back into the water
(don't let go of the deck lines). Have them work their way back around and
reenter as you normally do.

One final comment. You don't have to completely empty their boat before you
them reenter. If the water is cold the primary goal is to get them out of
the water. Worry about pumping the water out later. If you're in really
dicey conditions you may want to just have them turn their boat over so that
you can clip on a tow line and have them lie on your rear deck until you've
paddled to a spot where a reaentry will be easier. There are a couple of
good books on Sea Kayak rescues out there. Amazon.com has got them.