Rescue

The dictionary says:

• To free or deliver from any confinement, violence, danger, or evil; to liberate from actual restraint.

Rescues come in two flavors:

1. Self Rescue - you get yourself back in your boat using your own skills and equipment at hand
2. Assisted Rescue - you get help from the other members of your party.

Rescue as part of search and rescue, is finding an overdue kayaker, and assuring they are delivered from whatever stress, injury, or catastrophe kept them from returning on time from a trip. This is sometimes called an "emergency rescue."

In extreme cases, the Coast Guard, a passing motorboat, search and rescue, or an act of God can rescue you. These are not truly "Kayak Rescues", since you often are too hypothermic (or have a trashed boat) in the event you need this type of emergency rescue, and you don't get back in your boat that day.

Rescue as part of being upside down in a kayak is different. To make the difference clear, call it a "kayak rescue."

Rescues are all about dealing with events that lead to capsize. The best technique is to avoid getting into trouble in the first place. This requires good judgement. If that fails and you flip upside-down, your best bet is an Eskimo roll - a technique that requires no additional equipment and is quick and safe.

If you can't execute a roll for some reason, you need to wet exit from your kayak and after gathering your wits, get back in. This is a rescue.

Some folks distinguish between a Recovery and a Rescue. A Recovery is when you use an Eskimo roll to recover from a capsize or a brace to prevent the capsize in the first place. A rescue, on the other hand, is any technique that puts you back in your boat following a wet exit.

Here is a list of techniques for dealing with a capsize event.

• Recovery
  • Eskimo roll
  • Bracing

• Rescues
  • Self Rescues
    • Re-enter and roll
    • Paddle float re-enter and roll
    • Paddle float self rescue
    • Outrigger self-rescue
    • Cowboy scramble

• • Assisted Rescues
    • Eskimo rescue (possibly a recovery since there isn't a wet exit).
      • Bow presentation
      • Paddle presentation
      • Petrussen maneuver
    • T rescue
    • X rescue
    • H rescue
    • Scoop rescue
    • Hand of God
    • Rescue stirrup
    • All-in rescue

• • Emergency rescues
    • High-angle rescue
    • Signal for help--see Safety gear and Distress symbol