| The "All In" Rescue |
| Key Points This is when things begin to look grim even to the most optimistic. You are in the water with an upturned kayak; all your companions are swimming beside you, also with their boats upside-down. There is no one upright to perform a rescue. Don't underestimate the panic factor, especially if there is only you and one other. The situation is not an unlikely one: in fact, all this can happen very easily in a sudden unexpected squall. Keep calm. Swim two of the kayaks together, keeping them upside down. The following procedure can be performed simultaneously by other pairs in the capsized group. If they are all novices, they simply wait, holding on to their paddles and kayaks until you are back in your kayak ready to rescue them. Secure the paddles into the parks or deck elastics so you  don't
lose them. In the absence of either, tuck the paddles between
your legs. The delicate part of the whole operation is emptying
the first kayak without losing the air trapped inside - this
will be used as a pivot. The two swimmers position themselves
to face opposite ways, on either side of the kayak that we shall
call the 'pivot boat'. Underneath the water they each hold the
cockpit coaming with one hand. This prevents the boat from tipping
sideways and losing the supporting air trapped inside. We shall
suppose that you are on the right side, so your kayak will be
the first one to be emptied. Lift the bow of your kayak as high as possible into the air. Retaining your grip on the coaming of the pivot boat with your right hand, you feed or throw the upturned kayak across to your partner. Then, with the pivot boat underneath kept as steady and as level as possible, the top kayak can be see-sawed carefully and emptied. Once your kayak is emptied you are faced with the problem of getting back into it without filling the pivot boat. You must form a bridge with the paddles across the two kayaks. The swimmer in the water on the  far
side acts as a counter-balance by putting weight on the paddles.
This means that you can put your weight on the paddles at your
side. To re-enter the cockpit you will need to kick your legs
outwards and haul yourself up so that the weight of your chest
is across the paddles. You then direct your legs into the cockpit.
This re-entry is not graceful, and in poor conditions it will
require much energy and determination. However, any pressure
you may put on the pivot boat while you are making your re-entry
can be counteracted by your partner. The pivot kayak can now
be emptied by means of a 'T' or "X" rescue. Most of the tests I have done have been with kayaks with no buoyancy. This meant that any tilting of the pivot boat caused it to fill and sink. With kayaks even moderately full of buoyancy, the rescues can be completed quickly and efficiently. During the rescue there will be an upturned kayak between you and your partner. Because of this you may be out of sight of one another. Therefore, in order to communicate, direct and encourage one another, you will have to shout. Alternative Method This will depend very much upon the shape of your kayak's deck and the position of its rear bulkhead / air bags. Swim to the stern of your upturned boat and haul your weight up on to it. With any luck this will bring the kayak's bow out of the water far enough for most of the water to drain out. Then, without letting the boat fall back into the water, flip it over on to its right side. Swim your now emptied boat to another. Use your paddles to brace against the other kayaks upturned hull as above to gain a safe entry. (Alternatively, if its calm you may be able to pull yourself up the stern to straddle the cockpit and solo re-entry. Use your paddle for support!) |
