New Blog 1: Sea Kayaking

Sea Kayaking

The classic T-rescue attends to the kayak first and the swimmer second. We could characterize this rescue as two techniques: draining the cockpit by means of a bow tip-out, and returning the swimmer to the kayak with an assisted reentry. This is a satisfactory sequence in good sea conditions but not always preferred in a dramatic rescue or in cold water. A paddler is psychologically and physically stressed by the adverse sea conditions leading up to a forced capsize, and when required to wet-exit his kayak, these stresses are amplified to a point that can greatly reduce his ability to quickly and reliably perform the necessary rescue. Sudden immersion in cold water adds an additional layer of stressors that will minimize the swimmer’s available strength and the time to complete the rescue.