rubone47 wrote:
...But most of all this yak will be in my pool as i train my self not only to sit and fish in her but what to do if im not!!!!!!!!
Great post rubone47. Hopefully it will entice kayakers into thinking, "what if?" Practicing self rescue is the first thing someone should do when they get a kayak. The kind of gear you carry and have strapped to the kayak can make a big difference in how easy or hard it is to get back onto the kayak.
What if...the current or wind was strong and it quickly separated you from your kayak after you fall into the water? Is your cell phone or VHF radio sitting in a waterproof bag inside the hull while your PFD with your whistle is still strapped to the back of the kayak and floating farther away because you weren't wearing it when the mishap happened?
What if...the water temperatures are in the 40s (4-10 degrees C) and you have to get back on your kayak is less than 5 minutes before you loose the use of your arms and legs from the numbing cold water? How fast you can get back onto the kayak could be the difference between life and death so practicing self rescue regularly in a group setting is a good thing to do.
Don't wait until the unthinkable happens to test your self rescue skills. How fast can you get back onto your kayak in smooth water,
now? How fast can you get back onto your kayak in one meter seas,
now? Does your hand pump work,
now? Does your paddle float work,
now? Do you know how to remove the air from your paddle float,
now? Would a simple rope ladder help speed up flipping the kayak back upright?
What if...you hit an underwater obstacle throwing you into the water and it breaks your Hobie mirage drive bad enough that you can't use? Is your paddle floating away in the current or do you have it leashed to the kayak?
There are many things one can think about, before the fact, too. Thanks for sharing your important story.