Mayday Recovery

My advice is to take a course from a certified instructor.  Watch all the Youtube videos you want, but none of that watching will be anywhere near as good as detailed instructions from a seasoned instructor.  The classes at Monterey Bay Kayaks are geared towards kayak fishing and have much more to offer than just self rescue.  They teach you how to enter and exit the surf zone safely.  How to brace and how to ride in on the waves. How to assist someone in re-boarding their kayak.  What the signs of hypothermia are. And the three most common ways to re-enter a sit on top kayak.  I've taken the course four times now, and would gladly take it again and again and again just for additional practice and instruction.

+1
should be automatic for any 1st time kayak purchase. Gets all that stuff out of the way at once.

Dude! I need a new PFD...

THIS!

Do any of you guys carry throw ropes?

I believe Abking does.

i always carry a throw rope.

I havent read anything that says he wasnt wearing a PFD and he is an NCKA member. http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=55882.15 Sounds like he got dumped and separated from his yak in the swift current then beat up on the reef. He had a VHF which saved his life. He launched with others so he wasnt rolling solo.

I do.

Bushy

yup   

Do any of you guys carry throw ropes?

I do.

Got any good links for rescuing a buddy? I had no idea How to help my buddy when he flipped out a couple weeks ago other than tow him to shore

Here you go. https://sierrarescue.com

I took the Swiftwater Rescue and they also offer a Ocean/Surf Rescue.

I always pack a throw bag.

Do any of you guys carry throw ropes?

I do.

+1 always

Do any of you guys carry throw ropes?

Always.

Do any of you guys carry throw ropes?

Brope up after you rope up.   

and a "Mooch" certified Tow rope too…

he made a bunch of them for Nor Cal HOW

Do any of you guys carry throw ropes?

  yep, lives in the cockpit hatch. Hope to never have to use it, I ought to rinse it & dry it this weekend.

This is great news all these guys carrying a throw rope! I've carried one in my front hatch anytime I'm on the water.
I've only used it to drag my kayak into the bank and over shallow ripples but have it handy if needed.