Side handle for safety not convenience

After reading Sledge's post, "TC 6/4-6/4", I was reminded of a situation a couple years ago that could have been problematic at best if it happened on the ocean.

My teenaged son's Scrambler did not come with side handles.  Always looked at them as making it easier for one person to carry the yak.  No big deal I thought until we attempted to right it in flat water on its shake down cruise. Major effort!  $40 bucks well spent for safety as well as convenience.  I do not think I could right my FnD without side handles in the salty environment. 

If you do not have side handles, ask yourself if you could right your yak in the worst of conditions that you could encounter.

Yes Most Defintely a need to address here "Side handle for safety not convenience"
After finding my self assoverteakettle and big waves building on me...just couldn't reach over and grab handle built into side of revo...lucky a wave flipped me again and was able to self rescue and get out of it...  Alshobie commented that a person can use your seat strap also

Also a tow line would be a very needed item on your yak...like Great Bass 2 used to get out of the Big Sur Surf...

Chadrock maybe you could post a pic of your tow line you just installed...which I believe "tiny" gave him the idea after GS6 Sonny incentent

Thanks GC for putting this thread up

http://www.oceankayak.com/kayaking_basics/kayak_safety/kayak_re-entry/


Good observation and I agree that the handle does help. I know Adam / Fishunter used this same method (see link above) to right the kayak after he got hit by a White Shark at Bean Hollow. It can be done easier by an adult but I can see the difficulty of having a smaller kid try to self rescue - especially on a heavier yak. Perhaps a stir up might help.

http://www.northwater.com/html/products/sea_kayak/SKsubdirectory/NW-Rescue-Stirrup.html

http://solo-rescue-assist.com/

for me with all my gear on...scupper holes was not working...

I think anyone going on the salt should flip there yak and with what ever way you feel can keep your gear from going anywhere and just do it... instead of in the middle of a "oh shit" moment...we were talking about doing this last yr at Tikki

 I think many of you will find a fully loaded down yak a different animal to right in scketchy conditions...

 I think many of you will find a fully loaded down yak a different animal to right in scketchy conditions...

+1...

 I think many of you will find a fully loaded down yak a different animal to right in scketchy conditions...

+1...

...then there is another lesson to be learned here....DO NOT carry too much gear.

When I took my safety class at HMB, I was told to get my shoulder underneath the side of the over turned kayak and push straight up with one arm with all my strength.  The kayak turned back over easily.  My wife did it with no problems either. 

That was in calm waters with an empty kayak.

Make your own handles for cheap. No need to buy them.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,7919.msg69188.html#msg69188

When I flipped my yak on my maiden voyage, Allen Bushnell, my wiley/crafty guide, had me crawl up the upturned keel at the side by the center of the yak using the scupper holes as though I were rock climbing. Laying on my stomach across the upturned bottom of the yak, he had me reach across and grab the far side rail with one hand, lift that rail while pushing down on the near rail. It worked great. I got back in the yak, and we caught rock fish for the rest of the day. Seas were not rough, fortunately, and Allen was guiding me, so it was easy to stay calm on that occasion. (I think I heard Allen mutter something like, "Damn newbies", but I can't be certain of that.)

Make your own handles for cheap. No need to buy them.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,7919.msg69188.html#msg69188

Bro I wish I would've read this before I threw down 39.95 on two OK handles   but for the money...going to hook um up anyways...killer thread for DYI      nxt time...

(I think I heard Allen mutter something like, "Damn newbies", but I can't be certain of that.)