Self rescue self training

   I see a new Certification  Program idea in the works...          Like taking a Bareboat Charter licensing class.. or SCUBA classes,   Hunter safety course.

         Tournament applicants must be certified.   ( guess we're all certifiable  ) 

  Discounts to card holders.       

Now,,, what to name it???

RAT; Returning ass topside

......like Rob said, a properly fitted PFD makes a difference. Get a qualified sales person to help to fit your wife with a PFD - there's a lot of shops out there that do not train their employees well enough. There are also women-specific pfds (google 'em).

another thing to consider is to learn how to self rescue with ocean swells coming at you - it's not a walk in the park......oh and keep you chin as close to the deck when re-entering 

good luck and paddle safe!

What Mooch said about PFDs

I went without one for a few decades, now I don't leave home without it

My wife won't set foot on a kayak but if/when my son decides to I'll make him leave his manly pride on the shoreline and wear what will keep him alive

Also what RacinRob said...

The only problem I see with entering from the front, rear, or side is all the gear we have on board

plus what Mooch said...

another thing to consider is to learn how to self rescue with ocean swells coming at you - it's not a walk in the park......oh and keep you chin as close to the deck when re-entering 

...pretty much sums it up

In a lake in the middle of summer hopping off and on your kayak should be a piece of cake and if it's not you should figure out why and fix it

In a cold water situation if something is keeping you from climbing back on you should toss it overboard before the cold makes you weak

I highly recommend a women's vest by Stohlquist. Their unique cinch system is the best for keeping the pfd down around your core.

I'm proud of you guys for taking the time to practice and play with these skills. I know it's a drive, but we offer some free training at Lodi lake on Wednesday nights and you and your wife would be more than welcome to join in. Clinics start at 5:30 at the Lodi lake boathouse. I could even bring out a PFD for her to try.

Great info and great advice. She works every Wed till 8:30. Part of her problem is she has a lot in front before she even puts the PFD on. I'm guessing that any PFD will only add to the bulk. She is not big on helmets or PFDs. It's a victory just getting her to wear what she has. I don't know how much more I can convince her to do. She'll never go out in the ocean so that's not an issue. We did kayak Tomales bay, but she imagines that she can swim to shore if she had to. I'm glad I've got her using my SOT so at least it is possible for her to self rescue. I will look into women's PFDs and see what I can do.  Ken

Part of her problem is she has a lot in front before she even puts the PFD on.

No pics? 

 

Part of her problem is she has a lot in front before she even puts the PFD on.

No pics? 

Seems like in really cold water this would be difficult if one was tired.

Seems like in really cold water this would be difficult if one was tired.

Do you mean self rescue? The really cold water might motivate you to kick harder. One reason to learn self rescue is so you get back in the kayak on your first try, so you don't wear yourself out making multiple failed attempts.

I am no expert in water rescue from a kayak, but have a lot of experience in deep water survival. I carry a nylon strap 6 feet long with loops at each end. The nylon strap is 1 inch wide and about 1/4 inch thick. It has snap hooks on each end. I keep one end attached to me and the other end attached to a loop on my waist. This always gives me a safety line. If you fall out would you be able to make a loop over and under the kayak and attach it to a tie down on the kayak. This would be on the side you are on and then pull yourself up and on to the kayak by leveraging your own weight with the nylon strap? I am not sure this make sense. I could also use it to pull myself up and on to from the back of the kayak.

I did try something like using a strap and only managed to flip the kayak over onto my head. For me, getting back onto the kayak is more about propelling yourself up with your legs, than putting weight on the kayak with your legs or arms. Putting your foot in a strap means you can't paddle with your feet anymore.