Think about it for a moment
If you have someone who is injured and cannot help themselves, how likely is it that they’re going to be able to utilize a sling or similar gadget, especially if in conditions? I would suggest that it’s not likely at all. If you have enough people to assist them with a sling rescue, it would probably be easier and faster to just haul them into their boat.
Brian, actual experiences
indicate otherwise. I can’t tell you that some of these folks might have been rescued without a sling but it was a hell of a lot easier and very much faster. I have seen several rescuees that just didn’t have the upper body strength whether inherently or due to injury or exhaustion, to get back in after several tries, who were finally successful with a sling. My question is, “Why not, how hard is it to carry a strap with cam?” I might agree that one doe not have to spend a lot of money on this gear. I used to carry one along with carabiners for WW boat rescues and now have learned how to convert it to people rescues.
interesting timing on this topic
I just took a sea kayak rescue course yesterday from my favorite multi talented, multi certified local instructor (big props to Steve Cramer in Athens GA!).
I think one big thing I took from his course was that not all self rescue methods work for all types of paddlers in all types of boats.
But find out what works for you, practice it in flat water and again in more extreme conditions. Make practice part of your regular paddling routine.
Also, come up with a way (or more) to help rescue your friends. Since paddling is generally a group sport (all you “mavericks” out there know better, but I’m not gonna argue) play rescue with your buddies.
Since I tend to fall out of my whitewater boat a lot, still only having a roll in development, as do some of my paddling companions, we practice throwing ropes and towing each other just 'cause it comes up.
No reason you can’t do that in a sea kayak as well. Who says you need to take a class to practice either?
Oh - and last Sunday when I had my (emerging adult) kid out at Tybee for his first ever paddle in my Tsunami, you bet I made him do a wet exit and a paddle float reentry. And we will work on it next time I paddle with him too.
bottom line
– Last Updated: Jun-29-09 1:53 PM EST –
"I paddle ONLY in calm, flat water,No guarantee that the water will always stay flat and calm.
-water is a dynamic medium -doesn't always stay flat and calm. Time of day matters. Boat traffic matters. Lake depths change. Waves actually build faster and at faster intervals on shallow lakes.
"Based on where I paddle, I will probably never have to use a sling, paddle float, heel hook, roll, or any other re-entry skills/devices"
- Lots of people say that and find out differently. See the paragraph below on the rescues on the Huron River in SE Michigan.
Those that make it back OK are usually forthright about saying they will do things differently in the future regarding choices in where, when and how they paddle, including skills and appropriate gear.
"NEVER do crossings, NEVER paddle on oceans, ALWAYS attempt to paddle where I can stand up (not always possible, since river depths change) or swim to shore, NEVER paddle anything over Class I, and NEVER paddle over my head in lakes.
No one said anything about paddling in oceans or doing open crossings. If you'd said you wanted to do Great Lakes paddling that would have opened up a whole new tier of advice. Self sufficiency and the ability to do the minimal requirements for self and assisted rescues are optimal for paddling in all different kinds of venues.
Let's take rivers -
This year throughout Michigan and, from what I've seen, northern Ohio-rivers are swollen and running extremely high and fast this year. There are different and more powerful hydraulics even in Class I and many more trees that have become strainers due to the increased depth and volume of the rivers. Down here in SE Michigan,where the stately Class I/II Huron River winds, there are weekly incidents of people in either kayak or canoe capsizing and getting stranded, with resulting rescues by the Ann Arbor FD and Washtenaw County Sheriff's office.
Bottom line: people who thought they could just tip over, stand up and walk their boats to shore on the friendliest stretches of the Huron River found out they were wrong and could not rescue themselves. Fortunately but for some bruises and scrapes everyone has come out alright.
Anything wrong w. practicing? Of course not. But are you practicing to gain skills or trying for shortcuts w. gimmicks? Esp. since you post often about paddling alone and your lung capacity is compromised you need to be dead solid certain you can take care of yourself.
Taking classes benefits many. And there are many good paddlers who've never taken one. Some people take the class(es) and never practice what they've learned, or practice once a year. Others never take a class but practice regularly w. a friend, a club, etc.
The bottom line is NOT that taking a class means a paddler has the skills, but that he/she has been introduced to them in a formalized vs. informal way. What matters is not the class(es) but what you can do when it counts.
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OP I sense some anger in your last post, and I've no wish to argue on a personal level.There's much good info here from many experienced paddlers, instructors and guides. I've learned much from them.
If you will step off a bit and take this good advice forward into your paddling you will be a better paddler, which is after all the goal - of each of us.
I have learned that when one asks for advice, esp. on the internet, one doesn't always like the responses. However, esp. when it comes to learning new things, I also found that much of the advice I was least expecting, or initially resisted, eventually helped me the most. It was my attitude, not the advice, that was lacking.
My 100# mom
This weekend my folks took a refresher class with Mark Shoon (on my recommendation).
My 200 pound dad is having some problems with stability lately, and he provided lots of opportunities for assisted rescue practice. During the first ones it was very difficult for my mom to stabilize his boat while he heel-hooked up onto his boat. But by the end of the day (when they were tired too) little 67 year-old mom was making it look really easy to get him back in his boat.
Point being, technique and practice goes a long long long way.
Not to dispute that a guide might need a sling for an untrained client, but for users considering adding this to their basic kit, it may be more important to spend the money on more rescue training.