30 second kayak rescue

The 30 second kayak rescue works effectively and efficiently in a variety of conditions for any kayak with at least a stern bulkhead.

[@Fremulshmat]

The tip about the rescuer edging the boat to help lift the swamped boat out of the water is very interesting-looking forward to trying that out as I know many people claim they just don’t have the strength to do this part of the rescue….this should help. I also like the guidance on protecting your face -using your boat- from getting whacked by the bow of the person coming to rescue you. I’ve never heard this type called ‘the 30 second rescue’ before but I guess it’s something to aim for….I’ve never managed it in such a short timeline so far. Finally throwing your boat on its edge to really lean down on the boat the person is getting back into is also a good tip…many people simply try to push down from a level boat and don’t get enough power to anchor the boat in place which often leaves the rescuer in danger of capsize during the rescue. Thanks for posting

[@offshorekayak]

The best and only video needed for an assisted rescue. Quick, efficient uncomplicated. If your rescue needs to be tailored to meet a situation or conditions, then do it. But this is the gold standard. The only caveat I would add is that there are conditions where it is not possible to pull two boats together without smashing them to splinters. Don’t do this then. 🤣 Thank you for the content!

[@adamstepic8083]

I find it extremely funny that you think someone needs to watch this as many times as you said. There is nothing confusing about this. I find it's more confidence then knowing the routine.

[@chriskelvin248]

I was always taught that the wet one, as you say (I like that!), waits at the STERN of their boat. This way, they are totally safe from a speedy incoming rescuer and then they can assist with the water clearing by pushing down on the inverted stern. Then after rearranging the boats in parallel, it's the same reentry procedure as you presented.

[@Chopbreaka]

Great video and I do like the way person being rescued doesn't fully 360 into cockpit like i was taught. I would like to add that hooking left heal/foot onto thigh brace is a benefit .

[@jonathanhamnett4044]

Excellent learning tool!

[@robinrabiroff2008]

I noticed that the rescuer edged away from the boat to be drained. I was told to edge into the boat that is being drained. Creates two things. More stable and provides lift a bit easier.

[@siempreafavor730]

hood great video

[@maze400]

I always found that the heel hook works best if the rotation is smooth and NOT multi directional, meaning, clockwise rotation, start to finish.

[@thepowerofwater8960]

The argument for changing the direction of rotation is to maintain contact with the rescuer's boat. If you continue spinning in one direction, you have to lose contact with the rescuer and will have your back to their boat. The primary reason to switch rotation is that the additional stability helps protect the rescuer. We would agree that it is more intuitive to roll in the same direction but not as stable and slightly less safe. We try to use the "Safe, Effective, Efficient" criteria for comparing different techniques. If 2 techniques are equally effective and efficient but one is safer, then the safer version is chosen.

[@maze400]

Thank you for the feedback. Makes sense but I suppose it comes down to personal preference. I always felt if its fast and efficient its safe...

[@5084204]

I would leave it to the personal preference: in my opinion continuous rotation doesn't cause the spraydeck to get entangled (especially in the rough water it is important to put it ASAP), but I got the idea of psychogical support when you can see the rescuer boat all the time.

[@karljohanhaarberg6706]

Changing the rotation in the middle is not best practice. First, it is faster to continue rotating in the same direction. It has been empirically tested in waves up to 15 metres. Second, rotating in the same direction implies a lower centre of gravity, which implies more stability. The person in the water could empty the water before the rescuer reaches his kayak. A heel hook (like Gordon Brown uses) is faster than the cowboy scramble. If the boat is heavily loaded, the person being rescued could aid in getting the kayak up on the rescuers kayak by pressing it down at the stern. Otherwise, it is better for the person being rescued to put his legs and arms around the bow of the rescuer's kayak.

[@ratchitt]

"Audere est facere" is the Latin motto of English football team Tottenham Hotspur, "To Dare Is To Do"

[@martin.feuchtwanger]

Some good tips there. Two quibbles: In the rush to a catchy title, at 1:15, only some of the water is emptied out. Spend another 5-10s for the remaining water. Bringing the stern of the boat passed the wet one, at 1:25, could be bad if the boat has a rudder.

[@DAllan-lz3lg]

Personally, I’d prefer taking the wet one’s paddle and stowing both on the non-rescue side. This wet one made re entry look very easy, with a paddle aswell. I do like the way the wet one gets on with it. I think there’s a tendency to get the dry one to do all the instruction. Fine if the wet one is a novice.

[@joseg7090]

NO alteren la velocidad del video para la proxima. Gracias.

[@mikevtosio8892]

You seem like you know your stuff... I just got my aca L2 instructor cert, and I'm planning to start this gig guiding the grand traverse area. I need an L3 skills assessment to more constantly lead in the waters I intend to be guiding on. If you can help, please let me know.

[@thepowerofwater8960]

We can hook you up, shoot us an email at info at thepowerofwater.net

[@agatinomannino2637]

Kayak Mannino

[@fdoutdoors866]

Wet One should not be between boats.

[@thepowerofwater8960]

Do you have a way to avoid the 2 seconds that the wet one is "between" the 2 boats?

[@fdoutdoors866]

I would take the few extra seconds and have the wet one at the bow. In conditions it is not worth the risk in my opinion.

[@thepowerofwater8960]

The issue of the wet one at the bow, ESPECIALLY in conditions is that there is no "plan b" if they lose hold of the rescuer's boat. While there is some limited risk for the brief time they are between the boats; We feel it is more than offset by the creation of a "swimmer recovery zone" that extends between the bow of the rescuer's boat and the stern of the swimmer's boat. The other issue in conditions is that the bow and stern of the kayaks have more vertical travel, that movement decreases the closer the wet one is to the cockpit. In rougher conditions it can be quite a bit more challenging to maintain a solid grip at the bow compared to the near cockpit short deck lines. One of the premises we have is that the wet one should move through the water column as little as possible. Swimming around increases the likelihood of losing control of the boats and cools the wet one faster than being in one place throughout the rescue.

[@fdoutdoors866]

Good points. Having seen folks in the "swim zone" get crunched I am leery to expose them to that. Each situation is different for sure.

[@arjen-de-vries]

Depends on the type of rescue

[@kirk2459]

I always found the 3 seconds it takes to stay in the kayak and roll to be a little more efficient.

[@superwag634]

this doesnt work with loaded touring kayaks. Or if there is a sea running. Its good for swimming pools

[@thepowerofwater8960]

What would you do differently in rougher water or with loaded boats? The rough water sequences were filmed in the tide race off Tybee Island, Georgia (so not a "swimming pool" although the GoPro wide angle visually flattens the conditions) We have used this technique routinely in rough and windy weather without any issues. We have also done this version of the rescue with loaded boats (4 day trip) and didn't see anything that didn't work just as well as with empty boats. Since there is no lifting involved, it seems even more suited to heavy boats than alternatives. If you've had success with a different version in rough water or heavy boats please share!

[@mlateer]

Yes, of course it works. This is the go to in rough water, what else would you use... Great video by the way, as an experienced kayaker that's done a lot of rescues, I picked up some good tips that hadn't occurred to me...

[@offshorekayak]

False.

[@evanshaw17]

Poor method. Use leg inside cockpit and turn 360 towards rescuer by holding rescuers boat. Especially in rough water