ORC Safety Concerns/Issues

I don't have much to add except for the fact that I was within distance to offer assistance but maybe I had some water in my VHF speaker and didn't realize it was all happening "right over there" until the Zodiac whizzed right by me.

I heard we had people in the water and scanned my surroundings, but from what I could see over wind waves and swell you guys just looked like a couple of boats working a school of rockfish.

Not sure what could be done about that? A "skier down" flag of a separate color nobody flies quickly Scotty clipped to a spare rod? Blasts on a whistle or air horn might have got my attention.

It just didn't look like it was happening where it was happening until Carrie's Zodiac motored right past me.

Very informative thread bringing up a couple issues I don't remember seeing to much info on.  Granted I should read more from the "For Safety's Sake" section of the forum.

I see there was concern regarding assisting a kayaker in the drink as it can only lead to putting  second person in the same situation.   I did a good bit of searching self rescuing videos on YouTube and think I only saw one that included helping a friend get back in their kayak.   Taped in ideal lake conditions with two very young and fit kayakers.    I think it would very helpful if someone who knows the correct method to assist could share or provide any known links to existing videos on the subject.





 

OK so maybe I should load the video I shot, it would give everyone a Idea how ruff it was, It wasn't white capping But it was almost the worst conditions I've been out in, Ito headed in early and As Everyone shot out to fish I found Myself with No Partner to team up with.But I'm use to that.I waited till a few others put in and went out with them. I also had A few gear issue's (fish finder on the fritz) and felt that the conditions Could get worse Fast if the wind picked up. So as I headed in I went zig zagging from kayak to kayak heading in letting each know I was on my way in. as I began to call to head in I was joined by another two kayaks heading in. I think a Good re boarding seminar would be worth wild to set up and capture for all in the similar  conditions we were in.

One thing I have not seen mentioned yet and one of the simplest and cheapest ways to let folks know you are need of assistance is a whistle.  It is also something that all paddlers in Oregon are REQUIRED to wear.  When either you or someone around you is in need of assistance make 3 long blasts on your whistle and repeat as necessary.  The sound of a whistle travels pretty far and greatly helps with locating a distressed kayaker, especially in limited viability situations like heavy swell or fog. 

On my way in I thanked the captain of the whale watching zodiac and pointed her to where I had seen a whale about 20 minutes prior.   

Once I realized I was actually in a pretty dangerous situation, I high tailed it to shore.  Yes, I missed out on the big competition, and I had to fess up to everyone back at camp that I "wimped out", but I didn't die... and next year I'll be much better equipped.

Catch, you didn't "wimp out" if you weren't feeling safe out there. Knowing when to call it a day is better than pushing too hard and getting too far over your head. My first trip to Depoe was kinda rough as well and I called it a day pretty early on. I also got sick that time and that didn't help. With some more salt experience you will feel better. I am by no means an old salt, but just getting out there and getting some seat time has helped a lot!

One thing I have not seen mentioned yet and one of the simplest and cheapest ways to let folks know you are need of assistance is a whistle.  It is also something that all paddlers in Oregon are REQUIRED to wear.  When either you or someone around you is in need of assistance make 3 long blasts on your whistle and repeat as necessary.  The sound of a whistle travels pretty far and greatly helps with locating a distressed kayaker, especially in limited viability situations like heavy swell or fog. 

On my way in I thanked the captain of the whale watching zodiac and pointed her to where I had seen a whale about 20 minutes prior.

Scotty makes a great REALY LOUD safety whistle. I have one on every PFD I own.

We were out there for probably 45 minutes when Marie started feeling sick, and my daughter said she was tired.  She had decided to take the solo boat instead of riding with me in the tandem, and with only 110 pounds in the revo 13, she had to spend a lot of extra effort to get it to track and respond to steering.  Anyhow, I made the decision to pull the plug at that time and grabbed the kiddo's kayak and pulled her in for a while so she could get some energy back.

Rule #1:  Cardio

Sure, it's from a zombie comedy, but it's extremely effective, no matter what situation you're in.  I watched people come in all afternoon completely winded just from paddling back through the hole.  You should have energy to spare when you get back, you shouldn't put yourself in a dead tired condition like that.

Most injuries and deaths in mountain climbing happen on the way down, because people are worn out and tired from pushing too hard to get to the top.  Know your limits so that you aren't left with nothing when you need it the most.

"Rule #1:  Cardio"

You definitely need cardio for this. Even though I ate like a pig (mmmmmm... pig), I lost four pounds over the weekend from peddling my Revo on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. My wife was pissed because she found them while I was gone.

True

We were out there for probably 45 minutes when Marie started feeling sick, and my daughter said she was tired.  She had decided to take the solo boat instead of riding with me in the tandem, and with only 110 pounds in the revo 13, she had to spend a lot of extra effort to get it to track and respond to steering.  Anyhow, I made the decision to pull the plug at that time and grabbed the kiddo's kayak and pulled her in for a while so she could get some energy back.

Rule #1:  Cardio

Sure, it's from a zombie comedy, but it's extremely effective, no matter what situation you're in.  I watched people come in all afternoon completely winded just from paddling back through the hole.  You should have energy to spare when you get back, you shouldn't put yourself in a dead tired condition like that.

Most injuries and deaths in mountain climbing happen on the way down, because people are worn out and tired from pushing too hard to get to the top.  Know your limits so that you aren't left with nothing when you need it the most.

Was just about to say this. Friday I pushed myself a lot harder than I should have and had to let the guys I was with know I was struggling. As a big brawny dude it's hard to admit defeat. I was thanking The Lord that I did not experience anything that would have put me in danger on the way Back in on Friday after I was already won out.
Did not make the same mistake Saturday and had a lot of fun.

Also those sea sick pills can dry you out so you have to over hydrate before you take them.. My whole body cramped up on the way back Friday due to dehydration. I put down almost a liter an a half of water that morning.

"Rule #1:  Cardio"

You definitely need cardio for this. Even though I ate like a pig (mmmmmm... pig), I lost four pounds over the weekend from peddling my Revo on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. My wife was pissed because she found them while I was gone.

True

Not enough beer and fish tacos. I stayed about the same as I went there with.

Rule #2 Double tap.

Make sure to rinse and repeat when applying the ol' wood shampoo. Sometimes a big fish will reanimate and start flopping violently. That's a great way to have gear kicked out of your kayak.

Thanks Noah for starting this topic. It has been extremely informative.  For all reading this, what is your collective wisdom on the use of Amas? I have an Outback and really struggle with self rescue-which has limited my fishing opportunities.  After dropping 40pounds the last year, and installing a set of Amas, self rescuing is much easier. Besides getting in the way of landing a fish, are there any safety concerns regarding the Amas (besides being chided for wearing waterwings)?

I had never helped anyone re-enter their yak, and never really gave it much thought until I heard the shouts and saw someone swimming next to a yak. Every time he tried to get back on, his yak was almost flipping over. Most everyone near enough to help had a Hobie, and knowing how they can't maneuver as quickly as as someone paddling, I quickly positioned myself on the opposite side of the other yak, straddled my yak, reached over and grabbed the side of the other yak, and leaned as far in the opposite direction as I could. It took the guy at least four tries to get back in as he was getting tired fast. It seems that his drysuit malfunctioned, and water was getting in. If he couldn't have got back in on his own, it would have been waiting for the CG or another power boat to help. To everyone out there who hasn't practiced self rescue, DO IT before putting yourself, and potentially others, in harms way! Feeling confident that you can get back in your boat, under any conditions, makes for a much more enjoyable time on the water!

Thanks Noah for starting this topic. It has been extremely informative.  For all reading this, what is your collective wisdom on the use of Amas? I have an Outback and really struggle with self rescue-which has limited my fishing opportunities.  After dropping 40pounds the last year, and installing a set of Amas, self rescuing is much easier. Besides getting in the way of landing a fish, are there any safety concerns regarding the Amas (besides being chided for wearing waterwings)?

If your boat flips with ammas on it you are going to have a hell of a time flipping it back over.

Sent from my Motorola Flip phone.

I am the one Goldendog (Dave) helped get back in his boat.  Thank you Dave!  This was my first year fishing from a new boat, which is much different from the old kayak.  Self rescue with the new boat was just not the same, and I was glad to have some help.  I was wearing a PFD with whistle, and had a VHF on my vest.  Unfortunately, my dry suit leaked and I was getting cold and wet inside.

Over the years swimming has been something I use to help stay in shape so being in the water was no big deal, but it was surprising how quickly I got tired.  Everyone around me was very helpful and that was greatly appreciated.  I don't recall ever really being scared, concerned yes, tired yes, but with everyone else around I never got too spooked.

Obviously self rescue practice with the new boat is needed, along with more experience with the new boat in general.  More time and practice should help alot.  My dry suit needs some work too.  It leaked way too much for me.  All in all it was a really good learning experience with very little damage done.  My friends even left my pride intact.

Most important - I want to say THANK YOU to everyone who helped.  When you've rolled your boat and are in the sh!t - that's when you find out who your friends are.  Thanks everybody.