| Bow (Eskimo) Rescue |
1. The person being rescued needs to bang on the bottom of the boat to get assistance.
2. Approach the capsized canoeist quickly.
3. Demonstrate good boat control by slowing the boat down quickly and gently sliding the bow of your boat into the hand of the capsized canoeist. N.B. To avoid the possible risk of hurting the hand, the approach and bow presentation should not be at right angles to the person being rescued.
4. We would
recommend that the person being rescued keeps their hands still
since it is easier for the rescuer to place the bow of their boat
in a stationary hand rather than a moving one! Remember it is
your responsibility as the rescuer to give the capsized canoeist
your bow, not their responsibility to find it, after all they
are the one hanging up side down in the water!!
Bow Rescue Variation
The bow variation is used when the bow of the rescuer's
boat is maneuvered to contact your hull within reach of your hands.
It works best if the rescue boat is about 45 degrees to the capsized
boat, because at that angle, there is little chance that the capsized
paddler can pull the rescue boat off balance. But don't waste
time fine-tuning your angle of approach while your buddy is counting
fishes! As the capsized paddler rescuer's grabs the rescuer's
bow, the rescuer should use a support stroke (e.g., sculling)
to maintain stability.
Trapped Paddler
The Trapped Paddler rescue is a variation of the Scoop
rescue, to be used with a paddler who has not exited the boat
but who is unable to execute an Eskimo rescue. Another name for
this rescue is the "Hand of God." This is the rescue
to use with an unconscious or incapacitated paddler. We all hope
that we never have to use this rescue, but it is important to
practice it, in view of the potential seriousness of situations
in which it would be appropriate.
This rescue is essentially the Scoop rescue, with a few variations. First, don't waste time maneuvering bow to bow. As you approach the capsized boat, lean out and grab the capsized hull firmly. Don't waste time by overshooting the boat! Reach across the middle of the hull and grab the gunwale on the far side. Reach as far as you must: the capsized boat will support you. Now pull the far side toward you as you simultaneously push the near side of the capsized boat down and away. When the capsized paddler's body is on the surface, grab the PFD and push the paddler's body back onto the rear deck. Now continue rotating the capsized boat to an upright position. Stabilize the boat as you attend to the paddler. If this rescue is necessary, then it is likely that the paddler will need additional help. One person should be assigned to stabilize the boat, while someone else attends to the paddler's needs.
