From: "James Mitchell" <mariner@seanet.com>
To: <baidarka@lists.intelenet.net>
Subject: Re: baidarka stirrups
Date: Tue, 5 Oct 1999 21:24:35 -0700
Oh, Stefano! Of course!!! A little trick I picked up first from our
friends at Northwest Outdoor Center (the place almost EVERYone in the Puget
Sound region starts kayak) and again at the Thetis Island symposium...
Very simple. Take a 10' length of 3/4" tubular web (easy to get at any
camping or outdoor store, or from REI.com), and sew the last three or four
inches together in a big loop. I overlap it because I have to hand stitch
everything, and that makes it stronger. Then roll it up and stick it where
you can reach it easily while you are still seated in your cockpit (you may
well be loaning this to a wet friend in need). Easy to use, after the
capsized boat is upright, loop this around the cockpit rim. Victim places
foot in the loop, and steps up onto the rear deck while you brace the boat
from the other side. Best to have your boat facing opposite the capsized
boat, so you can see what is happening and be ready for it. Rentry is
normal from there, victim lays face down pointing aft, inserts feet, and
then rolls over (hopefully facing away from you, so their behind winds up
toward you as they roll... makes bracing a bit easier) and slides into the
seat. You can even leave the stirrup right there, it really isn't much of a
problem for now. Ignore it, or pull it off over their head. Continue
holding their cockpit rim until they get pumped out if you can, that
improves their chances.
Oh, if the loop is too long, you can always throw a quick knot in it to
tighten it up. This is also a great technique when doing self rescue,
particularly when tired and cold.
Now the important part... color. Gotta get the right color web! Let's see,
do we want to match the deck, or contrast???
Puget Sounders who might be listening... pool session 8:30 this Sunday at
Forest Park pool in Everett.
----- Original Message -----
From: Stefano Moretti <stmoretti@tin.it>
To: <baidarka@lists.intelenet.net>
Sent: Tuesday, October 05, 1999 3:28 AM
Subject: baidarka stirrups
> I just held the hull while Chris used the stirrup (I
> carry them in every hull) to quickly climb back in. After less than a
>
> minute's pumping, he had all but maybe an inch of water out of the
> hull and
> we were on our way back. Having capsized a few glass boats, I know
> what my
> preference is!
James,
what is this magical tool to carry along ??
Stefano