Self Rescue using a paddle float

Slide one end of the paddle into the paddle float making sure that the blade is convex onto the paddle float (the heel and toe of the paddle should be in contact with the float and the centre of the blade will not be touching. This stops the paddle float from moving around).

Insert other paddle blade under straps or bungees that are on the top of kayak deck, behind the cockpit. Note: if you are using straps, leave the strap that is closest to you connected but as loose as possible. The far strap should start off relatively tight, so when the blade is inserted that it will fit in snugly. By leaving the nearest strap as loose as possible, you will have a lot of slack making it a lot easier to insert the paddle blade under the far strap/bungee.

The far paddle blade should be at least half the length of the blade under the far strap, with the heel and toe curving down, matching the contour of the kayak. Make sure that the paddle “drip ring” is between the two straps/bungees and should be up against the closest strap. This will lock the paddle in place and prevent the paddle from moving and coming loose from under the straps/bungees (which would be very dangerous).
Once the paddle blades are in place, tighten down both straps and check that the snap latch on the paddle float is locked in place and the paddle float will not come loose. If the paddle is not secure and comes loose, you could have the kayak fly into your face when you try to re enter the kayak…..thus making you your Dentist’s very best new friend and YES I am talking from experience!)

Position yourself in the water on the paddle float side of the kayak (leeward side).

Hold onto the closest cowling of the cockpit (the raised edge that the spray shirt attaches to) and let your legs float to the surface. Do a swimmers kick to help you swim and pull yourself onto the kayak. You can also put the foot closest to the paddle, onto the paddle, to help get onto the kayak. Note: If you try to submerge and then pop straight out of the water to get onto the kayak, the chances are great that you will launch yourself right over the other side and will have to start the entire self rescue process over again.

Once on the back of the kayak always stay LOW, face down, head towards the rear (stern) of the kayak. Remember, always do rescues SLOWLY. This prevents making sudden mistakes.

As soon as you are on the rear bulkhead (rear deck) keep the kayak stable by always keeping your weight on the paddle float side. You can do this by holding on to the paddle shaft. If the weight is not continually on the paddle float side, the kayak will not be stable and there is a good chance that the kayak will roll over onto the opposite side of the paddle float and you guessed it…the self rescue process will have to start all over again.
- “Slowly” slide backwards, putting your feet into the cockpit (always with weight on the paddle float side, still holding onto the paddle shaft). When your hips are on top of the seat, SLOWLY roll towards the paddle float from your stomach onto your back. Change hands on the paddle shaft to keep weight on the paddle float side.

Once you are back in the kayak, take the time to make certain that you are not sitting on the spray skirt and that the spray skirt is ready to be attached to the cowling around the cockpit.
Maintain weight on the paddle float side.
Now is the time to pump the water out of the cockpit and there are two choices (still keeping weight on the paddle float side). A) If the water is calm, you can pump before attaching the spray skirt, which is the easier of the two, or B) If there are waves breaking onto the kayak, flooding the cockpit, attach the spray skirt and then crack open the spray skirt, on the paddle float side, slide the pump into the cockpit and start pumping (pumping is also a great way to regain your warmth). This method is a little more awkward but it prevents water coming into the cockpit faster than you trying to pump it out. Maintain leaning towards the paddle float (I know I keep repeating this but it really is very important).

Now is time to disconnect the paddle from under the straps or bungees and this can be the dangerous part. If you have bungees you have to slide out the paddle and you might very well be in a struggle getting the drip ring under the bungee, do this very SLOWLY and with care. BUT if you have straps, just unsnap the clip on the strap on the paddle float side and slowly slide out the paddle (I am a huge fan of Straps and feel that all Paddle Float Bungees should be replaced with Straps). Slide off the paddle float and store it under a deck bungee.

If you have a dry fleece hat (which you should have) put it on to help get warm and you are ready to start paddling again.

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