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 dimished 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.

Larry Goolsby
12/22/07 #3919

Thia story is a great example on why we need to practice rescue
skills, even if it is just rescuing ourselves. Erik B. emailed me
over a month ago about doing a swim (New Year's day?) in order to
test how our drysuits/wetsuits will protect us against the cold. I
have been trying to think of how we could do some sort of race
(swimming?) and this recent rescue has given me an idea. What if we
did a race on the bay going from point A to Point B with one person
in a surfski and another in a drysuit? We could drop a buoy off of
Marine park and have teams of two. You would leave the beach with
your 'swimmer' and do the best to drag them out to the buoy and back
again. Maybe we could con Dale into bringing her Zodiac out just in
case we need assistance. New Year's is 10 days away, any takers? Any
better ideas?
LG

As of March 2020 the photos mentioned by Brandon below are still viewable in a Whatcom Paddlers Folder “Rescue Stuff”, but the descriptions should still draw pictures for you:

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.

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.

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

New Year's Day Swim/Paddle…………
Larry Goolsby
12/23/07 #3925

All right, it sounds like we need to do this. On New Year's day, the
highest tide is between 10 am and noon so in order to allow a couple of
the late nighters to sleep in, let's do this at 10 am. If you don't
have a drysuit, you can be a paddler (you can do the swim in a
wetsuit). I'll bring a buoy that we can anchor about 50-100 yards off
shore and come up with a prize for the winning team. A LeMans style
start would be nice followed by each team paddling/dragging themselves
out around the buoy and back. Outriggers would be welcome…..
LG

Desk rescue and personal safety
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: Desk 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: Desk 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: Desk rescue and personal safety
surfskilady
12/23/07 #3932

All great points. Thanks! Rescue skills are important to have in our ‘tool bags’. But, I also agree, it is equally important to assess the situation, the swimmer’s state of mind and our physical capabilities. And, Kathleen makes a valid point as well, the Coast Guard may not beat hypothermia.

When I was a newbie to surfskiing, out practicing in some windy conditions in my old Vallhalla Victory Special on Lake Whatcom, I took a swim. Somehow I lost hold of my boat, which immediately was picked up by the wind and blown down the lake. (I have never gone leashless again!) Simon was with me, had me climb on his deck, and he paddled me to shore. In this case, he could see I was calm, and I was stoked for the ride! It would have been a long cold swim.

Re: Desk rescue and personal safety
Dale McKinnon
12/24/07 #3934

While I lived in California (on the San Mateo coastline) I witnessed a rescue by the Tsunami Rangers in 10' swell/breakers. Apparently, each paddler had a 50' line of 1/8' nylon line as part of their paddling kit. I can't figure out any other reason for the following of what they did and how they did it, because this is how they rescued one of their own:

One paddler was injured but concious. (I found out later that he disclocated his shoulder trying a high brace on a big wave.) Two other paddlers rescued him. To get the injured paddler through the line of breakers, they “hog-tied” one kayak to the other by bringing them together (like a catamaran) and passed a single loop with a slip knot around the bow, ran the line down the length of and between the kayaks, then wrapped another slip-knotted loop around the sterns of both kayaks and tightened the whole thing up. The injured kayaker remained in his boat, with a fellow paddler/rescuer next to him.

Another paddler/rescuer acted as a drogue by back paddling to allow the “catamaran” through the breakers.
He attached his 50' line to the aft line of the “catamaran” then flipped a loop around his bow with enough line to stretch to his cockpit where I guess he wrapped the line around a leg or held it between his knees (I don't really know how he secured it). It was a bit tense to watch, but it worked. Apparently all the yanking and pulling forces on the “drogue boat” were absorbed by the tight loop around his bow, and at the precise moment that the “catamaran” was on the face of a wave about to break, the second rescue boat released his line which slipped off his bow and the catamaran rode the wave into the beach. The drogue was necessary to make sure the “catamaran” was faced the correct way to ride the wave because the single healthy paddler in the catamaran simply couldn't control it at surfing speed. There was a danger of broaching.

I remembered this event after reading the post about how Oscar slung his leg over another ski and brought it through the Gate. The fact is 2 skis together are far more stable than one ski, alone. This information is useless if someone's ski skitters away in the wind, but if the ski is there and conditions are too rough and you gotta get yourselves home, that 1/8“ nylon line might help. It doesn't take up much room.

Re: Desk 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: Desk 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.

Bob's back deck rescue
Bob Putnam <putnam_rea@…>
12/25/07 #3939

Last April Deep Cove Kayak was hosting a stroke clinic with Imre
Kemecsey, 6AM - 8AM. Imre was standing on the Government wharf and
we were paddling out and back. I was paddling my Vajda sprint boat
(very tippy) and showing this newbie sea kayaker how not to scoop
water at the exit of his stroke…1st bonehead move…well I did a
good job of demonstrating the “scoop” and pulled myself into the
water.

It was cold enough that there was ice on the sea wall. Shrinkage was
instantaneous! The sea kayaker didn't know that he was going to
rescue me but I wasn't going to float around for too long explaining
it. I climbed up onto his back deck and sat up while uprighting my
sprint boat and tried to dump most of the water out. Having coach
flatwater paddling kids I had performed this maneuver many times
before, but the combination of the cold and being a bit panicked I
was having a difficult time. I finally decided to get re-enter the
sprint kayak….2nd bonehead move…so I could paddle to shore.
There was still some water in K1 and when I finally got myself in all
the water rushed to the bow of the bulkhead-less kayak and the bow
went down like a submarine. The kayak literally dropped out from
under me.

Back in the water, and worrying about my $3500 sprint boat going to
bottom caused me to feel very panicked…thing weren't going as
planned. However, I was able to supress the panic. Profanities were
flowing from my mouth faster than bids from an auctioneer, I climbed
back onto to the back deck of the sea kayak and told the guy to
paddle for shore. I grabbed the sinking K1 and my paddle and lay my
head on the deck and kicked like crazy. It took us about 5 minutes
(seemed like 20) to get to the nearest dock.

I hauled my sorry ass up onto the dock which was covered in ice and
dumped the water out of my K1. I was already starting to seize up. I
noticed the dock-owner looking out his window, sipping his morning
coffee, wondering what kind of idiot would be kayak/swimming on a
morning like that.

30 minutes later after a hot shower and breakfast I was still
shivering uncontrolably. Imre thought this was great and gave me the
gears all through breakfast. “I am a kajak coach, not a swimming
coach” Imre said with a thick Hungarian accent and laughing heartily.

Although the seakayaker had never done anything like this before I
have had the opportunity to practice it many times, mostly while
goofing around with racing club kids. So, I am not saying anything
new, but I would like to re-enforce the importance of practicing all
this stuff. Having practiced these kind of things makes the
difference between, panic in an out of control situation or being
able to take it in stride because you have done it before.

Because of all the work Kathleen has been doing lately she probably
felt pretty confident rescueing the kayaker. The work is paying
off.

Next season at Deep Cove Canoe & Kayak we will certainly be singing
this song to all of our regular paddlers who typically become
complacent about risks and overconfident in their abilities. Many
think that because they paddle 2-3 times per week that they are
experienced. The typical scenario for seakayakers and surf ski
paddlers is that they start paddling, take a capsize course or try to
remount their skis once or twice and then start paddling and then
don't practice these skill for many years.
Enough typing
Happy Holidays
Bob