For anyone interested
funeral notice, opportunity to sign guestbook and a little about Ed Brackett
http://obituaries.bangordailynews.com/obituaries/bdnmaine/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=180492284
he was not a newbie.
roll
What makes everybody think that he couldn’t and didn’t roll–nobody here knows–He may have rolled multiple times while trying to get others back in their boats and finally had to bail out.
I agree with everyone here that the best and maybe the only self rescue technique in those conditions is a roll–and he may have done it–however despite what folks say, nobody has a “bombproof” roll–some have very good ability to roll, but none of us walk on water so to speak and even the best may have to bail out after being blown over multiple times. Sometimes s–t happens and this maybe one of those times.
thanks for sharing that
keeps it real
…
God Bless RIP
Please do not drag me into that stuff
– Last Updated: Jul-01-16 8:36 AM EST –
What I meant was to shiraz's post about getting too hot in a drysuit, that if you can roll (or dunk off someone's bow), it is fine in warm air/cold water conditions. Since I am paddling mostly solo these days I have added in dumping a hatfull of water on myself. Even with 100% confidence in my roll, I would rather not be wrong about how tired I am a mile offshore.
But I think I have made it quite clear that I do not agree with maligning the guide in this incident in Maine. Please dance on this man's grave from someone else's posts. Other than that do as Nate already suggested, take the useful lessons and move on.
And as Jon said, NO ONE has indicated the man could not roll at all. Again people are launching from non-information to scream rather than attempting to deploy any grey matter. Nate said Maine Guides did not have to demonstrate a roll someone else, maybe dcm, decided that meant this guide couldn't roll then everyone piled on. There is a lot of truly mean stuff happening.
slushpaddler
– Last Updated: Jul-01-16 1:00 PM EST –
if your post was directed toward my response I said THE GUIDE should have the roll NOT the people with him. Maybe you should think before you post.
Again if that was a response to my YES post.
Some have said maybe he did have a roll. if so why no attempt at the VHF for help. News said he had one in a dry bag. I cant believe the guy was dumb enough to then have the drybagged VHF inside a hatch so must have been attached to kayak. So if he stayed in boat at least an attempt with the radio would have happened.
Now Of course I wasn't there but can draw conclusions from what we do know. Most of the time we will never here the whole story. Iam trying to learn something from this as we all should.
it wasn’t directed to you
I replied to Paddledog. You and I are in agreement.
Standard Horizon HX870’s
been sitting in my shopping cart for close to a year now.
This comment by kayamedic jolted me:
“Those folks when they went in were within sight of fifty houses and maybe 200 boats but when there is a storm you can’t be seen. Without a radio you can’t be heard.”
I paddle the coasts of Lakes Michigan and Huron within sight of homes. Solo. I’ve foolishly never wondered whether any of those houses were occupied or if I did capsize and had problems, whether anyone would see me - storm or no storm. No one would hear me since that radio’s in my shopping cart, not on my PFD.
It’s the little things we don’t think about that can place us in danger.
oh ok
Sorry about that Kinda hard to tell who is responding to who.
I hope everyone now knows if you have a VHF if its not on YOU it wont do you any good. Thats the best lesson we can learn from this tragedy.
no worries, and I agree
Perhaps my scariest trip was a short solo return paddle in rough conditions on the shores of Lake Superior, and my VHF had conked out. Last time I want to do that!
yes
Try to take a look at one in person
I am fairly sure that is the one I saw in Hamilton Marine, or a very near cousin. The issue I had when I took it out of its box was its overall length, with a pretty long antenna. On a taller guy they wouldn’t notice it, but on my shorter torso it’d be hard to mount the thing without feeling like I was bumping into the antenna a lot.
There are more compact VHF’s around, still at 5 watts just with slightly more compact antennas. As of my last look around though none of them had DSC - yet.
If what I was told is correct, we should be seeing up to 6 watts, with floating and DSC function, as attributes of more hand held VHF’s. Including the smaller profile ones that would mount more easily on a PFD for not-big people.
As a temporary measure, you could get the Horizon and put it on the deck of your boat, just make sure you stay with the boat. Personally I have never found two VHF’s to be too many, it has worked out well to have one that is a higher powered work horse around regardless of what went along on the boat. I am feeling a little vulnerable with just one right now. But two died at once so I got stuck. That is the reason I have been looking around at ones better suited to a PFD.
Maybe check out a PLB?
I picked one up a few years ago after our boy was born, piece of mind for my wife and backup for me. Can also bring it hiking and skiing. Fairly small and easy to attach to the life jacket. I’m not a big fan of VHF radios, pretty much just use them for a weather radio while camping, but I understand their usefulness. In the past I guided in some remote places, where the VHF would have not been even heard, so I’m not in the habit of using, never mind relying on one for emergencies. I just figure if I do run into an emergency serious enough to require outside help, the PLB one button and done approach will hopefully work for me.
Sounds like a better option.
I read both “Deep Trouble” books not long after I started paddling, so it’s embedded in my brain that if you don’t have it on you, you don’t have it. This thread so sadly emphasizes that reality.
The Standard Horizon is 11.5" tall with the antenna extended and weighs 11.5oz. PLB is 5" tall and weighs 8 oz.
My plan was to carry the VHF/DSC in a Tactic Pack attached to the back of my PFD, but now I’m not sure if that would place the antenna high enough since the pack rides a bit lower on my back. Then there’s the issue that should I need that DSC button, I’d have to get to it. I’ve modified the pack a bit by using velcro straps for the bottom connections instead of the plastic snap. But I’ve not practiced accessing its contents while floating in water/wind/waves. It does work pretty well while sitting in my boat.
Never thought of a PLB nor did I know it was also effective on land. Thanks very much for the suggestion.
What was he paddling?
Some high volume kayaks are impossible to roll.
Matters where you paddle
VHF’s are challenged for land use, like hiking. But if you paddle the Great Lakes or the ocean, a VHF with the DSC button is a one-size-fits-all solution. In those areas the signal sent via the DSC function has a lot of ways it will get picked up. And the same box gives you weather alerts and tells you at the lunch time check whether your plans need to be altered.
I have been looking at the PLB’s and similar technology, but honestly if you can make the VHF send GPS coordinates with a single button push, for sea kayaking it might be more efficient than also carrying a PLB. Since you need the VHF for weather alerts anyway.
Only if the paddler is not high volume
Rolling
Celia, did you ever think some people don’t roll for a reason? I find you to be the authority on absolutely nothing! I myself have back issues. wear glasses and a hat all the time. Not very conducive to rolling a kayak. That being said I pay close attention to weather forecasts, surface conditions and hope for the best. I guess I have been lucky.
you just have to keep it up
You are a moron.