Surfski Knowledge Base

kathleen petereit
12/22/07 #3917

There has been much discussion lately about paddling safely in cold winter conditions. I am so thankful that I have been practising my rescue drills and doing much needed research because Nathan and I came upon a paddler in distress this afternoon. We were having fun in the waves, 3 - 4 footers but they were more like steep swell type waves left over from the snow storm that had just passed.

We spotted a blue kayak in the distance that seemed to go airborne a couple of times and Nathan said let's go play with that guy over there, looks like he's having a blast in those waves. As we got closer we could see he was trying desperately to get in his boat ( one of those short plastic wave sit in kayaks ). He had managed to get to a reef about 40 yards offshore and was waist deep standing on the reef. His kayak was full of water and submerged now. It had a bailing pump inside but he was too cold to function properly to use it. He had on a paddling jacket and dry suit pants and was wet to the core…and no lifejacket. His paddle had drifted away.

He all of a sudden got panicked and begged me to let him get on the back of my ski. He was so cold and motor function had diminished drastically. He could not even swim from the front of my ski to the back to hang on. So I had turn around in the waves and back up, not an easy feat. I hung my legs over the side for balance. I thought if all else fails I can get off and swim him in to shore, I had my drysuit on and knew I could swim this distance comfortably as I had done it practising 2 weeks ago.

He got on the back and lay on my deck with his feet over the stern. This was really hard work and we seemed to inch along. I still had my legs over the side for balance. Nathan managed to get the rope this guy had on his kayak and tied it around his thigh and towed his kayak in.

We got to the dock near a house on Protection island where his buddies were helplessy waiting and watching. They hauled him off my ski and I gave them instructions of how to warm him up slowly. This was a man in his late twenties / early thirties, looked fit, experienced paddler. Probably thought it would be safe without a lifejacket because the waves were running right past his place close to shore. Both Nathan and myself were surprised at how fast his motor skills diminshed. I would have given him 10 more minutes on that reef before he would have become unable to stand and drop unconscious. It was 32 degrees F/ 0 degrees C out of the wind at home before I left, there was a stiff wind on the water so windchill would have been colder. By the time his buddies would have called the CG and help would have arrived it would have been too late.

Nathan and I did practise rescueing each other this summer by putting each other on the backs of our decks just to see what it felt like. He said it was nice to be able to act quickly today without trying to figure out what the hec to do and waste precious minutes. And to have the self confidence of knowing that you are well prepared to help someone else. You have to practise….

Kathleen

Dale McKinnon
12/22/07 #3918

Kathleen, thank you so much. I can't remember who it was that told me about the habitual way people respond to emergencies…. like the passengers on an aircraft that desperately try to get to their bag or attache before using the emergency chute, or the people that turn off the lights as they run out of a burning house. EMTs have countless stories about the blind, habitual responses people have to emergency situations. Most people don't have the time or presence of mind to think through an effective response… and those that do generally have experience and/or training.

Pictures of Deck Rescue
Brandon Nelson <brandon@…>
12/23/07 #3923

Great post, Kathleen, and great rescue! As for a New Year’s day practice session, Heather and I are definitely in.

We practiced some deck rescues after the DPD, with renowned BCU coach Leon Somme guiding us on some of the finer points of the technique. It’s AMAZING what a big difference it can make when done correctly, in terms of stability and forward speed of the boat.

The first picture, below, shows how NOT to ride on someone’s back deck. Notice my head (a very heavy part of the body) is up, greatly diminishing the boats stability. And since Heather has her legs out, she has no steerage and forward speed is minimal.

…..Weight here is still higher than necessary or helpful

In the next picture, I’ve dropped my head so my face is on the deck, creating a notably more stable condition. My own lower legs are still in the water adding an “outrigger” effect, and Heather’s legs are in and able to steer. Speed was WAY better, and we could definitely get somewhere like this.

…..Weight here kept really low with legs still in water for extra stability

There is also technique involved in just getting the swimmer on the deck. To do this, the swimmer is just behind the cockpit ready to climb over the side. The paddler would ideally have her legs in the water for stability, and braces and leans TOWARD the swimmer. This lowers edge (gunwale) of the ski creating more of a “ramp” for the swimmer, as well as enhancing stability much more so than if leaning away from the swimmer. The swimmer stays in a low, laying-down position and slides onto the deck belly first, as if doing a cowboy re-entry. Once on the deck, the swimmer inches up towards the paddler until he can hold on around her waist. The tasks of both the paddler and swimmer require a certain grace and, obviously, practicing both positions will exponentially enhance survivability. What’s so impressive about Kathleen’s rescue is that she was dealing with a complete stranger – athlete or not.

Part of our DPD practice session was also to see if a 5’6” paddler could effectively “rescue” a 6’6”, 250 pound “swimmer.” As the pictures show, it was entirely do-able.

Happy, safe Holidays! Stoked to train on New Year’s!

Brandon Nelson

Morris Arthur <marthur@…>
12/23/07 #3928

I'd think twice about allowing a stranger to grab on to my ski in cold, rough seas. That's what the VHF is for: so you can call in qualified help for folks who need it.

Now… a paddling buddy with known skills is different. Perhaps, I'd simply call the CG and inform them that I'm about to assist a paddler without a boat. I guess it depends on the situation….

Re: Deck rescue and personal safety (PANIC)
Reivers Dustin
12/23/07 #3930

This is a big deal here. In one of our recondo training water exersizes one of our guys freaked out. I was next to him and didn't really notice a thing. The training seargent's were on the bullhorn yelling “Get away from that man!” over and over. Finally I realized they were yelling at me. I looked at the guy. His eyes were the clue: my body in the water looked like something to stand on to him. There was no intelligence. I dove under and swam like hell.

Make sure you have some kind of rapport before compromising yourself.

rd

Re: Deck rescue and personal safety
kathleen petereit
12/23/07 #3931

Morris,

If we would have been further away I would have called the CG. I don't think he would have lasted till they got there. I knew if he dumped me I would be ok with my drysuit on and the distance we were from shore. That's why you need to practise and know your limits.

Kathleen

Re: Deck rescue and personal safety (Panic)
Michael Hammer <michaelhammer62@…>
12/24/07 #3936

A panicked swimmer can be unsettling to encounter. All reason has vacated, replaced with sheer terror and survival at any cost. If you find yourself near a panicked swimmer it is best to keep your distance (outside of their grasp) while maintaining a watchful eye. Call for help.

Within minutes they will become exhausted, loose motor function and may become unconscious. At this point you can more safely effect a rescue. A “rescue” may simply involve guarding their airway until help arrives. Or, if you have the means, slowly make your way into shore while protecting their airway.

If you find yourself in the water and in the grasp of a panicked swimmer try and remain calm. They will do whatever it takes to climb your body to the surface. If you can manage a big breath, simply submerge yourself and the panicked person below the surface. This is more difficult with PFD's, but can be accomplished with powerful strokes. Once under place your feet against them and use your powerful leg muscles to push away. Generally, once their head is below the surface, they will release their hold. The last thing they want is to have their face below the surface.

Re: Deck rescue and personal safety
piddlertom
12/24/07 #3938

Good call Morris. Thats the first rule in rescue: NEVER turn a one victim scenario into a two victim scenario. Approach the panicked swimmer with great caution, ESPECIALLY when paddling a ski in “conditions”.
Tom L.