Imersion and what to do if it happens to you

Couple of weeks ago I took out my new kayak to Monterey for a test run with on of my friends and got dumped. I just so happened to be video taping it. Take a look and learn from it, so it doesn't happen to you.

Disaster can happen anytime on a kayak, so you need to be prepared for emersion. Couple of rules I learned after getting dumped.
1)   Don’t panic, stay calm.
2)   Always have a kayak buddy. (Make sure he has a radio)
3)   Where a proper rated life vest.
4)   Proper attire for getting wet such as a drysuit, wetsuit, kayak wet gear
5)   Practice for self-rescue. Help may not come for a while.
6)   Know contacts for emergency, 69 for boats in area, 16 for coast guard, 16 or 5 for harbor master.
7)   Tie down rods with leashes.
   Store extra batteries in dry bag.
9)   Bring extra closes for ride home.

Can't view video - says it'll premier in ~47 hours...

Can't view video - says it'll premier in ~47 hours...

Down to 39 hours now 

I saw the little clip in F&S, the comment section went to hell with people foaming at the mouth about how you needed a Hobie instead. I didn't want to add to that chaos.

 I noticed your usual setup has an outrigger. That is a huge adjustment, Be patient with yourself.

I appreciate you sharing your mistakes, that takes balls, also how you used this as an opportunity to learn and ask good questions and didn't just knee-jerk blame the kayak.  The guys in the FnS group who kept parroting that the Stealth is an unsafe or bad design need a reality check... Just because it does not fit their philosophy of use does not mean it is a bad or unsafe design. We come in all shapes and sizes so why should we expect our favorite kayak to be the one everyone chooses.

Looking forward to viewing that.

The guys in the FnS group who kept parroting that the Stealth is an unsafe or bad design need a reality check...

Most of those guys on there use outbacks so no surprise how they feel about narrow kayaks. 

I saw the little clip in F&S, the comment section went to hell with people foaming at the mouth about how you needed a Hobie instead. I didn't want to add to that chaos.

 I noticed your usual setup has an outrigger. That is a huge adjustment, Be patient with yourself.

I appreciate you sharing your mistakes, that takes balls, also how you used this as an opportunity to learn and ask good questions and didn't just knee-jerk blame the kayak.  The guys in the FnS group who kept parroting that the Stealth is an unsafe or bad design need a reality check... Just because it does not fit their philosophy of use does not mean it is a bad or unsafe design. We come in all shapes and sizes so why should we expect our favorite kayak to be the one everyone chooses.

Looking forward to viewing that.

I watched the FB video, and read the comments as well. Decided not to comment either. From the video it looked like it might of been a quick stop of momentum by the movement of bringing the fish in.

I gotta say… God bless the men and women who have joined the Coastguard.  🇺🇸🫡🫡

Thanks for posting the video. It looks to me like you handled the situation well, especially the "don't panic" part, which has got to be the hardest part...

I watched it a few times, what's your height/weight? The Evo is designed for anglers under 90kg (195lbs)

Also -

- Instead of trying to pull yourself up by placing your hands on the opposite side of the kayak you may want to try pushing down on the gunnel closest to your body, turning the kayak almost up on its side at a 90deg angle, and quickly pushing yourself up and flopping forward into the cockpit of the kayak, where you can then try to get sideways and shimmy your legs into the kayak.

Try a few techniques when you practice self rescue!

The correct one is always whichever lets you get back in the kayak fastest and safest.

We always carried an inflatable paddle float with our regular sea kayaks. It takes up very little room. You place it on one blade of your paddle and inflate it. Then you place your paddle across the kayak with the float end in the water. This allows you to place a leg over the float end and crawl into the kayak without overturning it. Without a paddle float you can either try to crawl from the back of the yak or keep yourself as horizontal in the water as possible to re-enter without tipping it back over.
Otherwise with a second person around it is easier to do a T rescue where they stabilize your boat from the bow as you re-enter.
I say all this with experience re-entering traditional sea kayaks. I do know that it is a huge difference between practicing on flat water and performing in rough conditions.  But I have to confess to never practicing in my Hobies. I know it is going to be a shit show regardless.

Thanks for posting up your experience,,,,,I haven't been on the salt for some years now but whenever I see someone post up a recommendation for a 3 mil FJ as being sufficient for immersion protection I try to put in my 2 cents worth, shortened up to Oh Hell No. There have been a few instances pretty well covered here in NCKA where the shit really did hit the fan and peeps had to spend a fair amount of time in the water, 3 mil not enough if that happens. This is a great example,

I had my first experience going in the drink on Sunday (6/27) in sc in front the harbor. I was turned around backwards trying to unhook a snag in my rudder cable and a wave knocked me over. kind of embarrassing since all the sailboats were out.

I was trailed by a gws earlier in the day. needless to say, I was back in the yak in under 5 seconds!!!