My Little Orange Bag

Ever since the ORC2010 there’s been a small orange bag with a loop hanging out both ends nesting in my gear rack.  It says “NWKA Water Safety”.  Being that I’m in the this sport for the bling, I proudly affix it to one of my gear carabiners every time I hit the water.  Oooooh how pretty she is in her fluorescent glow.

The forecast for last Sunday looked a little choppy but encouraging so I arranged for a friend to join me in the salt.  I've back-packed enough with this guy to have built up a mutual trust and respect.  He’s had a good deal of fresh water experience and was gung ho to take it up a notch.  When we got to our launch, we found the sloppiest 4’ at 7 seconds you can imagine.  But of course, we decided to go for it anyway.

As short as the period was, there were no real lulls to be had.  Larger sets would occasionally wash thru but they were too sporadic to be timed.  I figured that with a healthy measure of luck we could shoot out the rip and be fishing in no time……

Yup, you guess it.  No luck anywhere to be found.  Well, almost no luck.   

The 1st half of the launch was flawless.  My buddy was making small work of the whitewater as we moved into position to shoot the hole.  A good sized set broke across the rip and we held tight looking for our opportunity.   As the last of the set waves passed by, I gave him the signal and we were off.   

I was sure we were home free as I watched “buddy”s yak pierce the 1st pitching lip.  He was still smiling and making good headway.  But, when I looked back to the horizon I realized that my timing had potentially screwed us.  Not only was a set forming right in front of me but two different swell angles were converging to form a series of stair stepped double-ups. 

The bottom section of the 1st wave broke as I crested it.  The top section loomed threatening but held off long enough for me to throw my weight over the back of the wave.  You can imagine what it looked like by the time it caught my wing man…..

Stroking like hell, I pushed through several more waves to just outside the surf and looked back to watch my buddy re-entering his yak.  YES!!!!  Then I looked forward again, NO!!!!!  Another series of double-ups were looming with no space between.  #$%^*&(*()  I pushed even farther out and again looked back.   By now, he was separated from his low riding yak by a good 30 feet.  $%^&*( 

We’re now 10minutes from when the 1st double-up swept him off his ride and he’s caught in an endless merry-go-round getting pushed out by the rip and back in by the waves.  His yak has somehow re-joined him though with as much water as its carrying, it’s now a major threat.

I’m really glad I practiced backing in thru the surf cause it was the only way to get near him without swimming.  I made good regress on the backs of the non-stop breakers to within about 20 feet.  At this point, another double-up formed taking me on a backward surf that I won’t soon forget (though, you can bet I am going to try it again with an empty yak!!!!).  The next wave, immediately on its heels, caught me broadside and had me diving deep to avoid getting pummeled by or tangled in my crab traps.

As I held on, waiting out the rest of the set, I observed my buddy floating peacefully on his back, holding onto the crab buoy he'd been packing.  He even managed a sickly smile as he saw me struggle but it was clear that he was shot and out of options.  This is when that pretty little orange bag caught my attention. 

The cute little accessory had been firmly clasped to my seat buckle.  "The angles not great" I thought but I should be able to power thru the sideways pull.  "If the pad eye pulls out, at least I have 3 more before I lose the rope". 

At the next opportunity, I was back in my yak.  Shortly, I was to within 25' or so and signaling my buddy with the dayglow bag.  He signaled back and waited for for the throw.  Seeing an opportunity, I pulled the keeper on the drawstring and let fly. 

Let me tell you, throw bags are The Shit!  It left my hand like a tennis ball and traveled nearly drag free all the way to its target, landing just inches in front of my rapidly tiring friend.
 
As soon as he was secure, I proceeded to drag him to shallower water.  The experience was similar to dragging a sea anchor.  I didn't make much headway but I was stable as heck when the waves picked me up.  Once on his feet, I instructed him keep hold of the line until he reached me (just in case).

With my kayak and my friend in calm water, I swam back out to retrieve his ride. 

Hopefull, I flipped the water logged yak back over and mounted it.  It was like trying to paddle an exercise ball.  Anything I tried just made it roll.  All I could do is point it where I wanted it to go and superman in to an area calm enough to use the bilge.

In the end, the only things lost were a water bottle and the lucky Spot hat.  What was gained was some valuable experience and an affirmation of trust.
   
I told this story to a co-worker today and whined about all the great fishing that hat was responsible for and how much I'd mis it.  To which he replied; "I think that hat used up the last of its luck making sure everything turned out well.  Why don't you go get a new hat with a fresh batch of luck?"

-Spot-

Wow, now that's a lucky little orange bag.
Cool story Spot.

Z

Yikes!  That's a hairy little storey.  You mind sharing what kind of boat your buddy was on?  Just curious...

Very nice! Throws bags are definitely a handy tool.

First, WOW, I hate it when that happens!
Glad y'all are good and it goes to show that even the best of us can open up a can of stupid sometimes.
What's more important is that you had the wits and skills to close it back without ending you or your bud.

he’s caught in an endless merry-go-round getting pushed out by the rip and back in by the waves.

I really, really hate it when that happens.

At this point, another double-up formed taking me on a backward surf that I won’t soon forget (though, you can bet I am going to try it again with an empty yak!!!!).  

I did that last weekend and it was a hoot! (in 2', 12 second, warm surf)

As soon as he was secure, I proceeded to drag him to shallower water.  The experience was similar to dragging a sea anchor.  I didn't make much headway but I was stable as heck when the waves picked me up.

 

I've been dying to try that, but I'm glad neither of you did (die trying). I think I'll give it a shot with a less animate drogue (and in the same conditions as my backward ride)

Hopefull, I flipped the water logged yak back over and mounted it.  It was like trying to paddle an exercise ball.  Anything I tried just made it roll.  

Man, I really wish I did not know what your talking about.  Glad it didn't sink!

Perhaps its time to think about doing another safety day at Hagg to pass on some of your wits and skills while its still warm? (says the man safely 2000 miles away)

and I don't care what his cube mate says, the rest of y'all should be scouring the coast for that hat. It's hotter than any old float ball and has some serious juice!

Great story Spot, thanks for sharing!  I've looked at the throw bags from time to time and never gave them a whole lot of thought until now.  I'll have to add one of those to my wish list this year.

Damn, Quite a tale! Glad you were both unscathed. Makes me glad i have Sunset to launch at.

Riveting story, thanks for sharing that. I think I will look in to carrying a throw sack as part of my regular gear. I'm relieved it all turned out OK.

John

Wow, now that's a lucky little orange bag.
Cool story Spot.

Z

Yes it is my friend and thanks for providing it!!!  

Luckily, the situation wasn't "life and death" and I had a couple of different options for helping my buddy out.  The throw bag was just the most expedient and least risky.  It meant that I didn't have to abandon my yak or chance running him over with my yak and he didn't have to negotiate the cobblestone shorebreak.  

Yikes!  That's a hairy little storey.  You mind sharing what kind of boat your buddy was on?  Just curious...

He was on a T13.  I'm not really sure where all the water entered from.  In hindsight, I should have checked his hatches before pumping out the hull.  It might have been that he didn't have them cinched down tightly.

I've been dying to try that, but I'm glad neither of you did (die trying). I think I'll give it a shot with a less animate drogue (and in the same conditions as my backward ride)

and I don't care what his cube mate says, the rest of y'all should be scouring the coast for that hat. It's hotter than any old float ball and has some serious juice!

Funny thing Wali, the 1st thought in my head when the human drogue worked was "Damn, Wali was right!"   

As for the hat:  It was a gift to the oh so generous fish gods.  If they offer it up to any of you, get your affairs in order before putting it on.   

-Spot-

He was on a T13.  I'm not really sure where all the water entered from.  In hindsight, I should have checked his hatches before pumping out the hull.  It might have been that he didn't have them cinched down tightly.

Thanks for the instructive story. 

I'd guess the rod pod, particularly if it was stock.  Even cinched tightly, churning surf could easily pry up either end of the lid.  He needs the newly released rod pod lid.  

Fascinating story Spot. I think he is one lucky SOB to have been launching with someone such as yourself.

He was on a T13.  I'm not really sure where all the water entered from.  In hindsight, I should have checked his hatches before pumping out the hull.  It might have been that he didn't have them cinched down tightly.

Thanks for the instructive story.  

I'd guess the rod pod, particularly if it was stock.  Even cinched tightly, churning surf could easily pry up either end of the lid.

Yep, either that or the rod pod 'water tight' integrity was compromised during self rescue.  

Good job Spot on keeping a level head!  Lots of people "freak out" and become useless in an emergency.  Your buddy sounds like he kept calm too, which is good.
Sometimes picking a safe launch recovery area is hard to do.  Some times it pays to pace up and down the shore for a few minutes.  I took a little dump backwards two days ago into 5" of water when I was standing up to get out of the yak.  The wave just hit the yak right and smacked into the backs of my legs and pitched me over the boat as I was standing up.  No harm but a good laugh from my fishing buddy and wife!

I have my throw bag, but need to move it within closer reach!

Buoyant heaving lines are REQUIRED along with your PFD and signalling device!

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/tp-tp14726-section5-818.htm

Boats 6 metres long and less

   1. Personal flotation devices (PFD) or lifejackets approved for use in Canada and of a suitable size for each person on board. PFDs must be comfortable and functional enough to be worn at all times. Highly visible, short models with pockets for distress flares, radio, and whistle are preferable.
   2. A buoyant heaving line at least 15 metres long (floating throwline or throwbag).
   3. A manual propulsion device. The paddle is the propulsion device and must be carefully selected. It may be made of wood, aluminium, plastic, or composite materials. The blades may be unfeathered or feathered. Two-piece take-apart paddles are also available in all three materials and are good emergency paddles. There are models for every budget and taste, so try them before buying.
   4. A bailer or manual water pump for removing water. A pump is more efficient. A large sponge can be used to remove remaining water. Don't forget to tie them down.
   5. A sound-signalling device. You can use a whistle, a foghorn or compressed air foghorn.
   6. Navigation lights. Between sundown and sunrise or when visibility is reduced, a white light visible over 360° is preferable, but a watertight flashlight is acceptable.

Excellent job staying cool with an effective rescue. Experience counts for a lot. Yup, short durations suck & I dislike surfing backwards (did that at PC last Dec. Thought I'd made it, but wound up sideways huliing in chest deep water). Going to make sure I have that rescue bag at hand from now on. Next thing needed is a floating waterproof marine vhf, preferably w/gps. Any suggestions?

Next thing needed is a floating waterproof marine vhf, preferably w/gps. Any suggestions?

If you don't mind spending $300 the Standard Horizon HX851 is the best.  I have had mine for 6 months now.
http://www.standardhorizon.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=85&encProdID=CE54753DAEF82FF5498D5C3153D6E29B&DivisionID=3&isArchived=0

Next thing needed is a floating waterproof marine vhf, preferably w/gps. Any suggestions?

If you don't mind spending $300 the Standard Horizon HX851 is the best.  I have had mine for 6 months now.
http://www.standardhorizon.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=85&encProdID=CE54753DAEF82FF5498D5C3153D6E29B&DivisionID=3&isArchived=0

Thanks for the info. Know anything about the HX850S? More in my price range.
http://www.nextag.com/Standard-Horizon-HX850S-HANDHELD-616936434/prices-html

Sorry for the hijack. Wali had a good post on the Lowrance LHR-80.
http://www.lowrance.com/Products/Marine/DSC-VHF-Marine-Radios/LHR-80/
Maybe we should move this there.
http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,3809.msg37559.html#msg37559
Any updates?

Couldn't find any floating waterproof Uniden with GPS.
http://www.uniden.com/products/productlisting.cfm?cat=Marine%20Electronics&filter=Handheld