Kayaking, something we all should know & practise regularly.

Kayaking, something we all should know & practise regularly.
Practising "Self Rescue" and "Rescue Assist".

Warning, it is long, but every bit worth it in it's own way.

Make sure you have a buddy and your PFD on before attempting any practise. Start practice in shallow and calm water to start with. No good going out deep if your buddy cannot help and you cannot get back on. Not only yourself but both together, one assisting the other then reverse the rolls after a brief rest. As your technique progresses, so can the depth and the conditions you practice in.
Practice draining techniques, you may have an SOT but it still helps to know if you take on water or find someone with an SIK in trouble. You can do this by forming a T shape, run the bow of their kayak, up over your kayak at your lap, so you can then lift it, break the seal, and drain some of the water out. Once you turn the kayak back up the correct way, they can then mount the kayak from the stern, shimmy forward to the seat while you help stabilise the kayak, or, once drained, then move side on to the kayak and brace/stabilise as they remount from the side. Often if someone cannot get on from the side, they can get back on from the bow or stern. The bow or stern can be pulled down below the water line, making it easier to get on top of the kayak.

If you have a fishing kayak with rod holders etc, practice side entry. With rod holders, rods, nets etc poking up, bow or stern entry may be very difficult, find easy ways to re-mount from the side. A stirrup or paddle float may even be necessary, though extreme caution should be given to stirrups as they may create a tangle point, making conditions even worse. When re-mounting a kayak, hold on to the kayak and try to float your legs up to the surface, don't have them down deep under you. Then with a combination, strong pull and kick, pull your torso up onto the kayak until your buttock is inline with the seat. Then roll over placing your buttock in the seat while still trying to keep the centre of gravity low and balanced before sitting up fully.

Practice if approaching someone already in the water, keeping their kayak between you and them so it is harder for them to pull you over if panicked, there is also less risk for the person in the water, of injury from being struck or sandwiched by the kayaks in rough conditions. Stabilise their kayak from the opposite side by laying your paddle across both kayaks and then laying (while still seated) across both kayaks. With a firm grip (not as easy on an SOT), get your mate to try and pull you over as if panicked.

Don't just practice getting on, also learn how to right the kayak, if you can get some old out of service rods/reels etc, replace your good gear and make it as realistic as possible every once in a while.

Practice taking control of the scenario if you are the one on the assisting kayak, be the one in charge and control. Communicate instructions clearly so you both understand what's going on. It is best to begin this on the approach, not after you get there and things are already in a state of un-control.

Have a good look at your PFD's etc, do you have a knife/line cutter/scissors in case you become tangled in fishing line or leashes. Do you have a mirror, whistle or VHF to get some ones attention if separated from the kayak. People venturing more than 1km from shore or areas with strong current, should also carry minimum a Personal Location Beacon on their PFD.

You can practice poor rescues, a million times and possibly perish, or, you can practise quality rescue techniques frequently and save life's.

Do your practise at the start of a trip onto the water, it will help show if the clothing you are wearing will keep you warm after a capsize and in a state of rescue. Will your protective clothing protect you in an extended immersion.
With snow and ice melts happening in the USA and Canada, there is nothing more important.

Some good links and quality reading;
http://www.canoe.org.au/site/canoeing/ac/downloads/Education/ACAS/Resources/Techniques/Perform%20Deep%20water%20Rescues.pdf
One of my favourite's;
http://www.useakayak.org/recoveries_rescues/panic_approach.html
Some good Video's, the first one's are SIK's but the techniques are good to watch;
http://www.broadbandsports.com/node/27339&gvsm=1[/quote]

One of the best self rescue video's I have seen, described/shown both off and on the water. The kayak is an SOT fishing kayak loaded with rods, esky, etc, and he simulates a full self rescue including line entanglement. Note how he wraps the anchor trolley around his arm to keep in contact with the kayak, also everything is leashed so it is not lost. Knife's (though I prefer line cutters to eliminate the risk of a self stabbing), whistle etc on his PFD.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhTQWgRQXZ4[/youtube]

This video is an assisted stern mount, Note how low the stern goes and how easy it is to get on top, great if you are a bigger person or muscle fatigued from hypothermia and/or struggling from the side.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orSzHyxcPi8[/youtube]

Planning and preparation, I do not like crates, I would rather get what I can inside the hull and lower the centre of gravity. A clean hull is also easier to re-mount.
A well prepared PFD is also a must if you become separated from your kayak or tangled, line cutter, scissors or knife, also make sure you make the most of every opportunity to be seen and heard. Water dye's, whistles, mirrors, VHF, PLB, on/in your PFD, it may make the difference between life and death;
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpcN1PlNr3c[/youtube]

Keeping your decks as clear as possible, specially if you can keep one completely clear (preferably your stern so you are facing the right way, will allow you the opportunity to at least make a bow or stern mount if you need to;
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCC-oX-OsWg[/youtube]

While not perfect, dry bags can also be inflated and used as a paddle float. If you practise using one, even once, it will set the thought in your memory bank for if and when you do need it and then remember it;
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyoT0ylenvU[/youtube]

Finally, if you are having trouble righting your kayak and it is upside down, try a stern or bow mount climbing onto the bottom of the hull. Then tip your kayak over and then re-mount and wait for help. At least you are out of the water and possibly warmer where you can also be towed to shore.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ne3HPi0k1c[/youtube]

Stay safe, be ready, "practise" and come home to your family.