my only advice besides the above would be the FLIP YOURSELF OVER on purpose in a nice calm shallow bay, so you can practice self recovery. this is something all kayakers should practice, and sadly no one does. When sh!t goes wrong, it goes wrong so fast you don't have time to react, you need to remain as calm as possible. Once panic sets in your done.
"Don't kill them for ego, don't kill them because they're legal, and don't kill them for someone else." - Doc Muller
#1717924 - 06/20/1703:26 PM
Re: Wear a lifejacket when kayaking
[Re: D-Rock]
D-Rock
Member
Registered: 04/19/05
Posts: 1189
Loc: Middletown, CT
I agree with all. I've flipped 2 different kayaks unwillingly in fast rips in LIS. It happens fast. If I didn't have a PFD good chance I wouldn't be here right now.
#1717926 - 06/20/1704:04 PM
Re: Wear a lifejacket when kayaking
[Re: D-Rock]
Bullwinkle
Member
Registered: 04/12/07
Posts: 706
Loc: Guilford
Terrible news.
I was paddling someone else's sit-inside kayak a few miles offshore when and it sank. The drain plug became unscrewed. Luckily I was out with two other guys. It took the whole day to recover it.
Ain't that the truth ,,Good advise D-, fell twice in my little tin boat both times it filled with water so fast I didn't have time to reach for my life vest that was on the seat under me .Luckily I didn't get in more trouble .Now I put it on every trip .
#1721944 - 08/03/1708:10 AM
Re: Wear a lifejacket when kayaking
[Re: D-Rock]
Don P
Member
Registered: 05/03/07
Posts: 19804
Loc: CLINTON, CT
Resurfacing this thread. It's a great topic Derek.
WEAR YOUR LIFEJACKET!
Went out for my virgin trip with my new to me 2014 13' Hobie Revolution kayak with Mirage Drive pedal power and upgraded Turbo Fins and upgraded Sailing Rudder. I wore my brand new hi viz shark yum yum yellow/orangey yak lifejaket. Just pulled the tags off the jacket as I grabbed it out of my vehicle. Meant to go out for a quick jaunt from my Clinton cottages down to Pilots Point Marina Breakwall and back.
I got about 1/3 mile from Pilots Point and the storm front was in the distance coming in hot with rain and lightning. I was just about to turn around to beat the system and caught the glimpse of something about a 1/2 mile Offshore.
I paddled out to the area and it was a Mother and her Son in the water with a completely swamped 2-person sit in kayak drab gray in color. They were trying to swim it to shore in a moving tide WITHOUT LIFEJACKETS ON NOR ABOARD!!! The son was a poor swimmer, and both were winded. Dusk was approaching and rain and lightning were now upon us.
Towed them back towards shore until a waverunner came out and picked both of them up, then went back for their kayak.
WEAR YOUR LIFEJACKET & KNOW YOUR LIMITS and the limits of those with you.
I used to kayak fish a lot . . . . . before it was cool.
A few thoughts.
1. Practice self rescue. If you know and practice a procedure it can save your life. Practice WITH the life jacket on.
2. In the age of the $3000 fishing kayak, an $99 PLB and/or $99 hand held VHF are probably good additions to the gear set.
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