Well… Like anything to do with paddle sports, this is general in nature and is my opinion... My points of view are constantly changing as I paddle more and as many different crafts that I can and in differing locations and environments, and with different pods of people. We do recommend that you undertake training with a qualified Paddle Australia Instructor or Sea Guide and Sea Leaders. Please do let us know what you are thinking as it helps others out there!
Kayaking and canoeing conjures up thoughts that are very romantic! And they can be, that is why I do it…
But the saying is, it is only a matter of time until you do capsize and take a swim, and how many times have I heard someone say “I have never capsized...”
The type of self-rescue required depends on your craft and the environment you find yourself in. A river kayak which you can swim with to the river bank is officially a type of self rescue, but when you are unable to swim to the bank you need to be able to undertake a self-rescue there and then! Your craft has to be correct and suitable for the environment! Touring/sea kayaks with two bulkheads (one at the bow and one at the stern) and a sit on top kayak that holds no water are able to be self-rescued in many different ways - one will work for you.
Are you able to do a kayak roll? The Inuit learnt to self-rescue by rolling before they even went paddling, as they were sewn into their kayaks. They have 36 different ways to roll depending on how they were arranged with their hunting equipment - “kayak” translates to “hunting boat”! These days we have modified the craft which enables paddlers to maybe never learn to eskimo roll. At the end of the day rolling is a goal for most and it does take you to the next level of paddling and give you confidence not to fear a capsize.
I do say “You can only trust and Paddle Australia Sea Leaders, Guides and/or Instructors to be able to perform an assisted rescue with you as a participant”. You may otherwise be in the situation where your paddling partner is in the same difficulty as you, or in a position to only think about themselves. After doing a few short training sessions, lots of clients do realise that kayaking is great fun and the session was super, but they still can’t get back onto the kayak! More to that though, or willing to spend time time involved with learning, I have decided that the kayak shop that is inland sells more kayaks than the kayak shop on the water!
So the key is having the ability to self-rescue: learning and practising techniques and systems in order to get back in the craft. Here, whenever the water is over 16°C you have no excuse not to fall out a couple of times and get back in.
Self rescues are only one link in the chain of kayak safety:
Let someone know before you go (and let them know when you are back...)
Interpret the weather. Know when NOT to go!
The correct clothing: It is better to be hot and bothered than cold and emotional
Basic Skills - can you manoeuvre the kayak forwards, backwards, sideways and create stability
Ability to perform self- and assisted rescue
Be able to raise the alarm if it all goes to custard!
Self-Rescue - Cowboy / Scramble
Self-Rescue - Inflatable Paddle Float
Sit on top kayak Self Rescue:
- Kajak Sport Self Rescue Clamps,
- Inflatable Paddle Float
- Self-Rescue Ladder / Stirrup
These devices can all be used in self-rescue. Practice often and in cold water as well!
Paddle Float: one of the most versatile and useful self rescue devices. They attach around the blade of your paddle, you inflate it and use as an outrigger to help as you drain, then get back on your kayak. The other paddle blade goes under your (far) perimeter line. There are single and double chambered models - single chambered paddle floats (with the other side of the pocket being mesh) are useful when learning to roll. They give support but can be deflated gradually without dragging in the water. A paddle float on a paddle can also be used for support when being towed.
Paddle Floats are available as inflatables and as foam blocks. Some are designed to be used in the hand (Avataq) - mimicking the original Inuit device.
Rescue Grips and Rescue Clamps: for craft with no perimeter lines these bolt to the deck behind the cockpit, for the paddle to attach to for the paddle float rescue (see video).
Self Rescue Ladders and Stirrups attach to the paddle as part of a paddle-float rescue where the paddler has difficulty re-entering. They allow the paddler to step up and more easily enter the cockpit.