Subject: Re: [baidarka] Rescues in Non-bulkheaded Hulls
From: James Mitchell (baidarka@earthlink.net)
Date: Sat Apr 16 2005 - 21:32:45 EDT
Let me add one bit to this chain regarding self-rescue in a baidarka. Bob Arnold spent last year working up at Corey Freedman's place, teaching some of the baidarka and paddle building classes. Bob is a pretty sharp paddler himself with experience on the east coast, where he learned things a bit differently than we have here. So much for due attribution. He taught me this one, and I really like it in preference to using those bungie straps etc. at present.
Tie a loop of webbing or good cord (Bob uses 8mm climbing line) 13 feet long into a loop to use as a stirrup. When capsized, right the hull and dump out as much as possible. Set your paddle float on one end of the paddle. Pull out your loop and pass the other end of the paddle through. Lay the paddle across the hull just aft of the cockpit rim, and toss the skewered loop overboard on the far side of the hull. Reach under and grab the loop. Pull it over the top of the paddle on your side. Now you have a quick and easy stirrup to assist reentry*. The friction of the line under the hull holds it all together. I want to try setting the paddle just over the aft end of the cockpit rim to see if it makes a more stable platform. But I am already convinced that this is prefereable to the bungee or web straps that are conventionally used for paddle float rescues. I also think this is easier on fragile paddle shafts than the usual leg-over reentry.
Comment 1: I was thinking of floating line, but that might be more difficult to reach from under the boat. Bob puts a chunk of pipe foam over his leash to keep the whole thing from sinking if dropped. Sounds cool to me.
Comment 2: I can already hear our more accomplished paddlers speaking out against "one more piece of equipment...", so allow me one more word on stirrups. The problem around here (which I have experienced several times) is that the water is so cold that your hands quickly lose the ability to grip. THAT makes reentry impossible without assistance. And it can happen even in a dry suit. Stirrups save the day. Shiro Ozaki demonstrates/teaches reentry by just clamping the paddle shaft across the cockpit rim with his hand... but so far as I know he hasn't tried it around here in water this cold. Japan's seas are as warm as many of our swimming pools.
Comment 3: If hull is badly swamped and conditions allow, I can envision bailing/pumping the hull while standing in the stirrup to stabilize everything. This might help solve the problem of a hull so badly swamped that the paddler's weight on reentry would reflood the hull.
*Standard reentry for those who don't know: boost yourself out of the water and lay face down on back deck facing aft, keeping some weight on the paddle float side to prevent the "Rainbow Salute" (rolling to the unsupported side, waving your pretty bright colored paddle float in a graceful arc as you go back into the water). Work legs into cockpit, scooting forward on your belly. Twist upright with your butt on the paddle float side of the hull. Keep the paddle float in place until both you and the hull are stable and ready to paddle again. Another kudo for Bob's stirrup: it is much easier to remove than when using bungee cords or web strap systems that lack quick releases. If you haven't practiced this maneuver in warm safe conditions, please please please do so until it becomes automatic. Even if you have a good roll -- this is a reliable backup.
Thanks, Bob!
James Mitchell
baidarka@earthlink.net
3815 N. Pearl
Tacoma WA 98407 USA
425-273-0884
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