The "Curl"

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Key Points
The situation shown in the first picture, known as a Cleopatra's Needle, will of course never happen to you or those with you. Being the prudent person you are, your kayak and the kayaks of those who accompany you will always be filled with some form of flotation. Not everyone will be so circumspect, however, and it is as well that you are able to cope with this highly dangerous situation. It will probably fall to the rescuer to shout the instructions out to the person in the water.
1. The patient will have to stretch his leg down and hook his foot under the cockpit coaming of the sunken kayak. He will then raise it level with the surface.
2. With the cockpit coaming level with the surface of the water, the swamped hoat must he manoeuvred so that it lies parallel to the rescue kayak.
3. The rescuer must hold the swamped boat level and in position while the patient swims round to the other side. He then throws himself across the foredeck of the rescuer's kayak.
4. The patient reaches across and grasps the part of the cockpit coaming that is furthest away from him, with his palms upwards.
5. The patient allows his body to slide back off the deck a little, while still retaining hold of the swamped boat. His elbows must come to rest on the foredeck, jammed tightly in place by the weight they are supporting.
6. All the patient has to do now is to hold the kayak level. All the weight is taken by his elbows - he should not try to lift.
7. The kayak is emptied by the rescuer, who regulates the angle of the cockpit - as it drains - by sculling for support on the opposite side. This can be done in the normal or extended paddle position .
8. Once most of the water has been emptied out, the kayak can be flipped over into its upright position and any remaining water removed by reverting to a 'T rescue or by bailing and sponging out.