How much warning did you have before flipping? (request for war stories)

I have leashes with retractors on all of the gear in my kayak.  But one of the risks of leashes is that if you get dumped over, you could get tangled up in the leashes.  I carry a safety knife on my life vest, but try to avoid using it.  The knife could be as dangerous as the leashes.  During a whitewater run on the Lochsa River in Idaho, a friend pulled over to help a rafter who had flipped.  In an effort to make it easier to flip the raft back over, the rafter reached under the raft with his knife to free a piece of gear, and managed to cut his wrist instead of the strap.  Arterial blood was squirting all over.

Dang, that would be scary.  Probably more scary for an old fart. There's this guy on YouTube, Rudy something or other. He has this ridiculously tricked out AI. He is tethered to his kayak.

that just sounds like a really bad thing to do regardless of situation... cause id think your yak could go one way and your trying to go another if you get thrown or flipped over in a strong current...

Dang, that would be scary.  Probably more scary for an old fart. There's this guy on YouTube, Rudy something or other. He has this ridiculously tricked out AI. He is tethered to his kayak.

that just sounds like a really bad thing to do regardless of situation... cause id think your yak could go one way and your trying to go another if you get thrown or flipped over in a strong current...

There is a school of thought that recommends tethering yourself to your kayak in windy conditions as it is believed to be easy to get separated from your kayak should you take a swim in windy conditions.  I believe Dan out on the Big Island rides an AI and is a proponent of tethering yourself to your kayak in windy condition.

But of course I'd recommend removing the tether when traversing the surf zone.

-Allen

I have to admit,  going solo, I'm seriously considering a tether system. I just haven't figured out the right way.  In 5knt current and the wind blowing 15knts the other way, by the time you popped up, the kayak would be gone.  Every time I think about tethering myself, I remember Jammers video and if I was fortunate enough to see the boat bearing down on me and bailed out, I would not want to be tethered.  Decisions decisions....

This is a cool inquiry and I remember thinking over the whole "to tether or not to tether" question.  I decided to create a tether out of the bungee rope and use a velcro strap that could fail under serious tension.  The elastic bungee absorbs any schlock and in theory keep me from having my leg pulled from socket . 

My first and second bungee tether experience happened at Pacific City of course.  I had my first huli coming in and went over after a near successful ride into the beach.  The tether worked great.  I went under water and much like when a tree falls in the forest it does not make a sound- just like me laughing underwater, no one on the beach heard me.

The second time my tether failed- because I removed it after getting through the surf on a launch.  I was between Haystack Rock and the beach. I fished for a while, got bored, and I decided to see if I could stand up paddle on my sit on top.  I stood for only a few seconds when swell induced vertigo set in and fell over.  I went under, laughing.  I tend to laugh while reflecting on how awesome it is that very few people get to experience shit in life that is as vivid as getting dumped in the Pacific Ocean, because your fishing, in a kayak, while dressed so you don't die of exposure, while having a knife to cut yourself free, while your radio for emergency is strapped on, while your orange flag so you don't get run over...   sometimes you just gotta laugh...

  I stopped laughing when I popped up and saw how far I kicked my yak out.  I swam hard while having this very crappy "oh shit" feeling.  I made it to the yak and quickly secured myself to my yak tether and I shall stay that way. 

I have acquired a helmet now for launch and entry, but that comes off after reaching open water cause all the kayak chicks at the Sportsman Lounge dig it that way.
Peace Out,
-Scott

Dang, that would be scary.  Probably more scary for an old fart. ...

Hey! I resemble that remark. Remember, if you are lucky and smart and fast, you too will be an "Old Fart" some day.

I've never flipped my Revo13 or OK T13, but I fell out of one of them on Lake Washington in 2009 or 2010.  I don't remember which one.  I was casting for bass under and around shoreline docks. Missed on a cast and snagged the dock and knew it right away. I turned my upper body to the right and found myself in the water. It seemed just that fast. No sense of falling, no warning, just suddenly in the water. Weather was not an issue. I was in a Kokatat T3 Super Angler dry suit. Did not lose any gear, and stayed dry. Re-entered with no problems - despite being an old fart.

Since then I've managed to stay in the yak casting, jigging, trolling, snagging, downrigging, and netting. In good weather and bad. However, I've never challenged the surf and been on rivers just a few times.

One thing I think that does not get enough mention is the "gasp reflex". When something unexpected occurs humans gasp in a breath.  Sudden immersion in cold water whether expected or not can cause the same reflex.  If one does that in the water and gets a breath full of water, the situation can go from bad to worse VERY fast in a dry suit or not.

I have yet to be knocked out of the Outback.  I've had a few close calls while leaning over the side  while  a rouge wave hit but that's about it.

I try to be prepared at all times and I keep my head on a swivel.

I was poking fun! I figured that comment might spark some back lash haha. I'm curious if there is less of a chance in sucking water if the person had a drysuit on?

...  I tend to laugh while reflecting on how awesome it is that very few people get to experience shit in life that is as vivid as getting dumped in the Pacific Ocean, because your fishing, in a kayak, while dressed so you don't die of exposure, while having a knife to cut yourself free, while your radio for emergency is strapped on, while your orange flag so you don't get run over...   sometimes you just gotta laugh...

-Scott

I'd fish with you.

-Spot-

"  I went under, laughing.  I tend to laugh while reflecting on how awesome it is that very few people get to experience shit in life that is as vivid as getting dumped in the Pacific Ocean, because your fishing, in a kayak, while dressed so you don't die of exposure, while having a knife to cut yourself free, while your radio for emergency is strapped on, while your orange flag so you don't get run over...   sometimes you just gotta laugh..."

Amen brother! I, too, would fish with you anytime! Life's short on time but there are plenty of experiences in life that while they may seem perilous to some, they are just plain great and we are so lucky to be able to experience!

...  I tend to laugh while reflecting on how awesome it is that very few people get to experience shit in life that is as vivid as getting dumped in the Pacific Ocean, because your fishing, in a kayak, while dressed so you don't die of exposure, while having a knife to cut yourself free, while your radio for emergency is strapped on, while your orange flag so you don't get run over...   sometimes you just gotta laugh...

-Scott

I'd fish with you.

-Spot-

Ah that reminds me of a great story of some guy jogging down the beach in his thermals after stripping off a dry suit that didn't stay dry after being checked out by paramedics and before his kayak was towed back to shore .... Smiling the whole time.
Shit could always be worse.

Sent from my Motorola Flip phone.

One thing I think that does not get enough mention is the "gasp reflex". When something unexpected occurs humans gasp in a breath.  Sudden immersion in cold water whether expected or not can cause the same reflex.  If one does that in the water and gets a breath full of water, the situation can go from bad to worse VERY fast in a dry suit or not.

If you are wearing a dry suit when you fall in the water, I think you are unlikely to experience any "gasp reflex," because the dry suit will keep your body warm.  I say this based on many years of experience in rolling whitewater kayaks in cold water while wearing a dry suit, and snorkeling while spearfishing for pike in cold water while wearing a dry suit.  On the other hand, some people may be more susceptible to having a gasp reflex, whether because they are particularly sensitive to the cold, or due to the surprise of falling in the water.  And I agree with Demonick that if you have a gasp reflex and get a breath full of water, the situation could go from bad to worse pretty fast.  You can reduce the chances of having a gasp reflex by wearing a neoprene hat or hood when kayak fishing, as they will keep your head warm if you go into the water.

...  I tend to laugh while reflecting on how awesome it is that very few people get to experience shit in life that is as vivid as getting dumped in the Pacific Ocean, because your fishing, in a kayak, while dressed so you don't die of exposure, while having a knife to cut yourself free, while your radio for emergency is strapped on, while your orange flag so you don't get run over...   sometimes you just gotta laugh...

-Scott

I'd fish with you.

-Spot-

Ah that reminds me of a great story of some guy jogging down the beach in his thermals after stripping off a dry suit that didn't stay dry after being checked out by paramedics and before his kayak was towed back to shore .... Smiling the whole time.
Shit could always be worse.

Sent from my Motorola Flip phone.

Yes you could be the guy who had to tow the water filled kayak to shore. ;0

That's what pedals are for!

Sent from my Motorola Flip phone.

...  I tend to laugh while reflecting on how awesome it is that very few people get to experience shit in life that is as vivid as getting dumped in the Pacific Ocean, because your fishing, in a kayak, while dressed so you don't die of exposure, while having a knife to cut yourself free, while your radio for emergency is strapped on, while your orange flag so you don't get run over...   sometimes you just gotta laugh...

-Scott

I'd fish with you.

-Spot-

Ah that reminds me of a great story of some guy jogging down the beach in his thermals after stripping off a dry suit that didn't stay dry after being checked out by paramedics and before his kayak was towed back to shore .... Smiling the whole time.
Shit could always be worse.

Sent from my Motorola Flip phone.

Yes you could be the guy who had to tow the water filled kayak to shore. ;0

Or the guy that towed that guy whose kayak filled with water into shore.