Bow presentation

Also called Bow Rescue.

Rescuee

To signal the rescuer for an Eskimo Rescue, WHACK your hull loudly 2 or 3 times loudly with your hands after capsizing.

You will not know whether your partner will rescue you with the Bow Presentation or paddle presentation, so expect either.

After whacking the hull, sweep your hands forward and backward in large sweepng arcs. You want to make as wide a target as possible, so lean forward and backward as you sweep to cover an even larger area. Holding your arms out 6" away from the hull will keep your hand from getting pinched if the rescuer comes in a little too quickly and bumps your hull--the space will give you time to get your hand out of the way. Holding your hands with the thumbs pointing towards each other will reduce the likelyhood that your hands will get hit.

When your hand contacts your rescuer's bow, grab on and use the support to bring your body to the surface. Keep the rescuers bow in front of you. Rest both hands on the bow, and bring your head to your hands. Keeping your head on your hands, hipsnap up; then bring your body and head upright. Use the stability of their hull as long as you need to for regaining your balance before letting go.

Rescuer

When you hear your partner whack their hull, it's their signal for you to spring into action. Reach your partner as quickly as possible. If you are parallel to their boat, use the paddle presentation. If you are perpendicular to their boat, continue with the Bow Presentation Eskimo Rescue.

Drive directly at the rescuee's hull. Aim for the middle of the target they are sweeping with their arms. It helps to present your bow in front of the victim. Sometimes it can be difficult to tell bow from stern on a capsized kayak. One clue is to look for the boltheads holding the footbraces. When your bow touches their hull, continue paddling forward until their hands get a good hold of your bow or bow toggle (this will ensure that you don't lose contact or position in wind and waves). Good rescue technique can involve a hard collision between boats. If you pull off this rescue in real life, the rescuee will not complain about scratches on their boat.

When their body comes up, give them room to lift up between your boats--you don't want to push them back down with your hull!! Allow them to hang on until they get their bearings back, and make sure they're OK.