Kayak Self-Rescue Plan. Paddling alone is never a good idea from a safety perspective. However, when you choose to take a solo ride out on the water on your kayak, you must try staying closer to the shoreline so you can swim back in case you capsize. Moreover, whether you’re a safe distance away from the coastline or not, learning how to do a kayak self-rescue can come in handy when you want to get back in the cockpit without having to ditch your vessel.
Here’s the 9-step kayak self-rescue plan that you need to get familiarized with to handle water emergencies on your own efficiently:
Step 1- Learn How to Do a Wet Exit
When you’re still in your kayak after you capsize, it’s essential to know how to extract yourself from the vessel without hurting yourself. That’s why the first thing that’s needed is to learn how to do a wet exit so you can get yourself out from under the boat to climb back on.
Step 2 – Flip Your Boat
The next step after you perform a wet exit is to flip your kayak upright and hold on to it until it balances itself on the water.
Step 3 – Retrieve the Paddle
In case you lost your paddle when your kayak capsized, you should retrieve it back out of the water after the boat is stabilized and place it inside, so you don’t lose it again.
Step 4 – Approach the Vessel and Pull Your Body on Top
Now, approach your kayak from the side at the stern and hold on to the cockpit by putting your chest on top of it. All the while, keep your chest as closer to the stern deck as possible.
Step 5 – Straddle the Kayak
While staying as lower as possible, throw your legs over the boat such that you’re straddling it.
Step 6 – Work Your Way Forward
Now, work your way forward little by little until you can easily drop your rear into the peak with your legs still straddled.
Step 7 – Pull Your Legs Back in the Kayak
Finally, once you’re partially sitting inside the kayak, grab onto the paddle and use that for support as you pull your legs back into the boat.
Step 8 – Brace Yourself
After you’re safely inside, it’s best not to make any sudden movements and adjust yourself until you’re sure you’ll not flip over again.
Step 9 – Pump the Water Outside
Now that you and the kayak are stable enough, you can begin pumping out water from your swamped cockpit before resuming with the paddling.
Our Final Thoughts
It’s advisable not to take your complete mastery over kayak self-rescue as the green signal to paddle alone. Moreover, this action plan should also not be the only skill you acquire to get yourself out of trouble in case of capsizing. The best way to keep yourself out of danger is by learning the different methods that might save you during emergencies, including the T-rescue and the roll.
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