Surfski Knowledge Base

warren bruce
12/11/11 #11794

More people are paddling with me here in Baja (there are four of us now and Chris D. will be here in a week) and as I'd feel bad if I didn't finish the day with the same number of paddlers I started with I've turned my group session into a personal interval workout. Keeping an eye on the first and the last paddler in the group I do sprints between the two and the extra 180 degree turns in the waves is helping with technique.

The question has been asked though - What would the rescuer do if the rescuee was separated from their boat? What would you suggest?

Warren

Reivers Dustin
12/11/11 #11795

My two bits: get the person to shore.

When we had our last agonizing reapraisal here in B'ham somebody proposed a short race where two people use one surfski (and one paddle). The second person rode on the back of the surfski and they switched places at the halfway point. It proved a point: two can work together to make good speed.

This would not work for many miles and was not tested in nasty conditions. There is a major trick: The back person gets least wetted surface involved and uses legs to help stabilize the boat. After we did this excersize my thinking shifted: I don't want to have to do this except as a last resort. The reason is that you are totally committing your welfare to the calm temperament of the other person. If the deal goes bad, then you are going to have to fight the other person for your boat and paddle in addition to whatever conditions caused the trouble in the first place.

On the other hand you don't have lots of time to develope other options like getting the boat back, getting friendly help, etc. In past rescue situations there were always two or more helpers, so I felt like the panicy swimmer situation was under control.

OK, so I've put my thoughts out here and many thanks Bruce for throwing this question out. I really want others to chime in on this. It's kind of the heart of the safety issue.

rd

njcooksey@ymail.com
12/11/11 #11797

Another variation on the back deck rescue is the 'wing rescue'. It was developed for sea kayaking but should work better than a single boat rescue with skis. It works well if you have to paddle a significant distance to shore or to the swimmer's boat. The swimmer gets on the back deck of the one boat, then two other boats come up along either side positioning their bows so the swimmer's hands or arms are wrapped around each bow. This greatly stabilizes the center boat. The two wing boats paddle and provide thrust while the center boat just has to steer and stabilize. The wing boats need to paddle in synchrony so they don't bang blades. The swimmer needs to keep their head down and up against the paddlers back to be as stable as possible.
Our sea kayaking group has done this several times in Deception pass, the surf and other rough water spots and it works well in rough water.

Re: rare sighting/1 Paddler, 1 Swimmer, 1 Boat
Brandon Nelson <brandon@…>
12/11/11 #11796

Super stoked to hear there’s a good crew to paddle with down there, Warren. We’re leaving the day after Christmas and will hit La Ventana sometime in mid-January.

GREAT question you ask about what to do with two paddlers but only one boat. The Sea of Cortez has an unfortunate number of deaths by hypothermia. It’s not Bellingham Bay temperature-wise, but this time of year if you’re not in a wetsuit and you’re fully immersed, the clock is ticking.

If a paddler loses his or her boat, and you’re not in imminent danger yourself, then stay with that swimmer.

And keep sight of and contact with the swimmer. Let the other ski go.

The goal for the two of you is to keep enough of your bodies out of the water to avoid going hypothermic and, if possible, make headway for shore.

Relax. Keep your head. You’ve got longer than you think to get anywhere.

The most efficient configuration is to have the swimmer straddle the stern of your ski like a surfboard, on their belly, hanging on to your waist.

On New Year’s Day 2008 a bunch of us got together at Marine Park and actually had a RACE in this style. Two people, one boat per team. It works!!!

If that’s not possible or comfortable, then find some other way to get the other paddler’s torso out of the water and onto your boat.

Laying crosswise across the stern, near you?

Both of you laying across the boat?

Water strips body heat 20X faster than air the same temperature, so get as much of your bodies out of the water as you can. And relax.

In La Ventana, unless you’re way out towards the island, you’ll blow to shore. Right?

When you can get someone’s attention, get it.

But stay together, stay out of the water if at all possible, as much as possible.

Have fun, Warren, and we’ll see you in a month or so!

Brandon

Re: rare sighting- Rescue technique??
Pmarcus
12/11/11 #11798

A few of us were involved this Last Spring with an assist situation on Lake Whatcom….two things that came out of it with me, 1). I helped one person and they were unfamiliar with how far they could climb out on the back of my ski and I ended doing a lot more dragging the person through the water then making proper headway! 2). The Sea Kayaker that assisted with person number two, as I recall, had them bear hug their bow, their back to the water and bring their legs up, they were at the beach much faster….something to think about for close to shore assist's! Peter

Re: rare sighting- Rescue technique??
Michael Lampi
12/11/11 #11799

If I was out in my white pedal boat I'd just have the person climb in over the transom, sit in the back seat wrapped in a woolen blanket and drink some hot cocoa.

Michael Lampi

Re: rare sighting- Rescue technique??
Reivers Dustin
12/11/11 #11800

Hehe, good point. Similar with OC boats, these add a layer of safety to the situation. Brian B pulled my eldest daughter quite a long ways back to Bloedel Park when it was bitter cold.