Scramble Self Rescue Technique

[@boutthere3374]

Good God the tip about lifting up and pulling knees vs dragging just blew my mind. This was the exact problem I was having and you fixed it for me in less than 2 mins. Awesome.

[@robertnissenbaum]

Glad it was helpful!

[@JLT1003]

I've never heard that before - instructor from whom I tried to learn the scramble always emphasized keeping your legs splayed to provide extra flotation, but that requires dragging yourself up. Can't wait to try this on the water.

[@wavesoffun]

Great points about lifting up rather than dragging. I find a lot of people struggle due to dragging and snagging

[@derekperkins7343]

The key point for me was not dragging but edging up the boat. I often feel stuck to or hung up on the deck gear when doing it incorrectly. Many thanks.

[@citizenwolf8720]

Regarding the second technique shown here, of pulling across the boat, then twisting over to the side and into the cockpit: I've found that it's easier for me to pull up across the boat directly over the cockpit, and then just twist in place directly into the cockpit. I'm very happy that this works for me, but I never would have thought of trying it without having seen this video. Thank you.

[@BeSatori]

That was far more graceful than my last training session! Great tips too, my next session will be more graceful and I will have fewer bruises after I can tell.

[@FrankLadd]

Very nice! Thanks will work on modifying my technique.

[@AndrewMoizer]

Thanks so much for posting these extra details. I've been working on the cowgirl rescue since you first posted it. I like it a lot. Haven't got it down to a single fluid motion yet. For most pool sessions I need to use my whitewater boat which makes things a bit more challenging. But the cowgirl version will work. Going to be working on it again on Saturday when sessions start up again.

[@robertnissenbaum]

It took me a while to figure out how far I needed to be over the deck to land in the cockpit. Now it's my preferred method. Keep working at it! Even as a back-up, it's a good option to have.

[@AndrewMoizer]

@@robertnissenbaum I'm totally convinced that cowgirl is the way to go. I'll be back practicing tomorrow night. I think one big benefit of this approach will be when you have a bulky guide PFD with stuff in the pockets. The water's still 'hard' around here so it'll be a while yet before I can practice outside in a sea kayak. Thanks again for all the tips.

[@happy88228]

You are the great teacher ! ❤♥

[@woofna1948]

That's a lovely video, Robert. The scramble doesn't work for me with my "ocean" cockpit. Without an inflated paddle float, a standard solo rescue isn't possible, so I find the reenter and roll to be my fallback technique.

[@robertnissenbaum]

There is no one right method and each method gets adapted to the paddler's needs. My overall goal is to provide enough basic instruction on technique to provide paddlers what they need to be able to adapt.

[@unclemick-synths]

Excellent 👍. I'm definitely dedicating time to practicing this scramble method next vacation. I like the "ice self-rescue" approach to getting onto the stern. I've also switched to butt-first boarding so I'll be okay as soon as my rear is planted on the seat.

[@MillerSean]

Card carrying member of the Deception Pass Swim Team here! Personal preference, but I also like to hold the loop of my skirt in my teeth during a re-entry if possible. Keeps it up out of the way, so I'm not sitting on it plus it's positioned nicely for putting back on. My vest is pretty 'clean', but holding the skirt like that also helps cover potential snags. If someone is having difficulty with balance, I also recommend keeping the legs spread wide while on the deck to help brace.

[@robertnissenbaum]

Excellent point of keeping her legs wide! I had someone do the same thing by putting the skirt in their teeth until it snagged while in their teeth. It wasn't a pleasant experience. Some paddlers will clip it to their PFD before scrambling, but that usually takes 2 hands and risks letting go of the kayak.

[@MillerSean]

@@robertnissenbaum Yikes! Thankfully haven't had that experience. I hate, hate. HATE it when people clip their skirt to their vest. #1 pet peeve of mine. The carabiner round the shoulder strap for that purpose seems like a recipe for disaster, and I can't count the number of times I've seen someone forget to put their skirt on because it's clipped up someplace. Anyway, can't wait to see more paddling content!

[@robertnissenbaum]

@@MillerSean more coming soon! Thank you.

[@Wayondon]

Well described however how does one prevent backrest from falling or leaning forward thus preventing entry?

[@robertnissenbaum]

@@Wayondon the best advice is to use a fixed backband or foam to prevent that, and most back rests are easily replaced. Another option is to use some shock cord or bungee to connect your seat back to the edge of the coaming so it can't fall forward. Otherwise you'll need to inch further forward to be able to push the seat back up ...that will be more challenging in some bigger conditions though

[@soloseakayaker]

Very good and such a clear explanation, thank you so much for this!!.🙂And the skirt thing is so important to remember!!! To make sure skirt is not pulled between the legs, so hard to get it out of the body weight. Especially when reentering has to be done faster than normal. in a storm or so. Do you have tips on how to attach a skirt faster too? Thanks!!!!

[@robertnissenbaum]

You're welcome. Attaching the spray skirt faster is mostly a matter of practicing it - and even then, tighter fitting skirts can be a challenge. Start at the back behind your hip and pull the skirt around the coaming toward your hips. I find it best to lean forward to keep tension on the back of the skirt once my hands get to my hips allowing me to slide my hands to the front of the skirt and pull it over the rest of the coaming - I'll get a quick video on my technique.

[@soloseakayaker]

@@robertnissenbaum Thank you so much for the reply!! I will wait for that video! :) Time for dry land drills again!! 😁💪

[@AdventuringIrishman]

Awesome video Robert! thanks!

[@joethi4981]

This is great but what happens when you have spare paddles on the back?

[@robertnissenbaum]

That is why mine are never on my back deck. The back deck is the primary rescue point for self and assisted rescues.

[@joethi4981]

@@robertnissenbaum Thank you so much ! So keep everything at the front. The only issue I have with that is the front deck becomes so cluttered. You don't find that to be the case?

[@robertnissenbaum]

@@joethi4981 the only things on my front deck are a spare paddle and a chart. I have my pump and float secured in the cockpit. Water is in a hydration pack on the back of my PFD. Too much on the front deck can make it challenging for an assisted rescuer to brace the kayak. In expeditions, we are generally in calmer conditions and a deck bag to carry other items like snacks works well

[@JB-xd9dr]

Not sure if I missed something. What I didn’t see was you rigging the boat to begin with. It then has a lot of water in it. Then it is REALLY difficult to keep it stable. The large volume of water them moves around making balance extremely difficult. Add to that doing it in rough water makes the approach virtually useless. Only true way is to have a 2nd boat to help empty water out first.

[@robertnissenbaum]

@@JB-xd9dr It doesn't show well in this video but I was able to empty about 85% of the water out of it. I'm both of the current kayaks I paddle. I can empty more than that even in rough seas. I need to get a video up demonstrating the technique I use

[@JB-xd9dr]

Wow. Impressive. I’d like to know how to do that. I’ve a Prijon Cruiser 430 and it has a large cock pit. I was unable to lift either bow or stern to empty out water. When I righted it it had lots and lots of water in. I got back on top and almost got legs in, BUT was massively unstable with so much water in the boat. Never succeeded to get underway. After many many attempts I gave in.Do post your video please. Thx.

[@chrislowe3060]

Just finished building my kayak and before I head out onto the Sound I want to practice this. What pools are open for practice like this?

[@robertnissenbaum]

Currently there are a couple of pool sessions scheduled with the Mountaineers (Bremerton and in Tukwila). They have up to 19 in the pool so space is a bit limited. I rent the pool in Bremerton and have pool sessions all winter (usually 2x per month) and limit the pool to 10 including myself and another instructor to make sure there is room to practice skills. I post the session on my website rnissenbaum.com/sea-kayak-classes/ and announce them through email (rnissenbaum.com/subscribe)

[@junefourth9821]

There’s a better way: where you face astern on the rear deck chest down and slide your legs forward and down into the cockpit as you corkscrew or logroll your torso to twist with your chest forward by the time your butt twists down into the saddle. This keeps your centre of mass lower because your torso isn’t elevated so high and you aren’t vulnerable to rolling overboard as you raise your knees while trying to insert your two feet inside the coaming. This maneuver is with a dry boat on flat contained pool water. That just isn’t realistic for sea conditions that would toss you into the drink in the first place.

[@MikeGillSeaKayak]

I'm sorry but It is most definitely not a better way for most folks. That is probably the most effective way to reenter in most situations where the kayak is being stabilized by a paddler or paddlefloat but is NOT a method taught by any sea kayak coaching professional or described by any professional sea kayak association as a method of self-rescue. Facing astern and spinning takes a higher degree of balance than the method Robert demonstrates here. You may be able to do it but it just means you have an amazing ability to balance so good on you, but you need to realize not to promote it as a better way because every professional coach would definitely not suggest it over what is shown here.

[@Ryanstuff]

Why can't they develop deployable stabilizers built into these kayaks? Is it because they would be considered training Wheels by the professionals?

[@robertnissenbaum]

For what most sea kayakers do, we want the boat to be able to get on edge, roll, turn, and move the way we want it to move. Too much stability limits how we can paddle it.

[@Ryanstuff]

@@robertnissenbaum yes agreed but that's why I mentioned stabilizers that could be activated/deactivated on demand.

[@robertnissenbaum]

@@Ryanstuff that makes sense but that adds complexity and cost plus possible maintenance issues. We carry paddle floats and in a group we can create enough stability to walk across kayaks.

[@blakecazier6225]

There have been sponsons sold to be deployed in emergency and some also available to keep attached at most times. Sorry I dont recall names or mfg

[@pamounier]

That helps alot.

[@john-wq8kf]

But try that in rough conditions, learn to roll it could save your life

[@robertnissenbaum]

I can do thisd in up to 5' seas and 25 knots of wind - it's something I routinely practice. I will get more video demonstrating that. I can also roll reliably in those same and bigger sea states. I have also know rolls to fail and thus one should have a back up method. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXfUdouOj52pg6Msi=U_fYJERkWkFC-lEF

[@john-wq8kf]

Well you are a better man than me I started canoeing in 1963 in a lath and canvas pbk 14. I then spent forty plus years canoeing in all sorts of weather I certainly could not use your technique in most of the rough water crossings I did ( I canoe camped most of the Hebridean Islands and North Sea trips) there again I would never end up out of my boat.

[@robertnissenbaum]

I don't think it's being a better man @@john-wq8kfand I am sure I likely couldn't get back into a canoe. I am also a firm believer in rescues being secondary to learning how to stay upright. The best rescue/roll is the one we don't need.