| Capsizing and Escaping from a Closed Cockpit Kayak | | | | Now whilst holding this position, move your hands so |
| - The Basic and First Procedure | | | | that the palms of your hand are facing you (meaning |
| Introduction | | | | your little finger is touching the kayak on both sides). |
| When kayaking one of the most crucial things to be | | | | Now move both hands down to the rear of the kayak, |
| able to do is escape from your kayak should you | | | | slowly, whilst keeping them out of the water as if you |
| need to, for example if you capsize and are unable to | | | | were directing a lorry reversing into a space. |
| roll back up and there is no one else in the vicinity to | | | | Once your hands are level with the rear of the cockpit |
| rescue you (using a T Rescue, or often called an | | | | (around level with the back of your seat), turn your |
| Eskimo Rescue). | | | | palms around so that they now face the front of the |
| Before setting out on the water the correct equipment | | | | kayak. Then move them in a Reciprocating fashion, |
| should be worn; buoyancy aid (life jacket), helmet, | | | | back and forth from front to back. See diagram below. |
| warm clothing - dry, semi dry kagool or clothing to | | | | See diagram: |
| protect from elements (sun, rain, wind), appropriate foot | | | | This may seem silly but this allows you to find the |
| wear. Other optional equipment includes a spray deck | | | | nose of a kayak should someone try to Eskimo |
| (covering the cockpit, stopping water to enter the | | | | Rescue you by bringing their kayak in a T Shape to |
| kayak) in the form of cloth or neoprene. | | | | yours. |
| The Capsize and Escape Drill (in a scenario) | | | | If this were a Eskimo Rescue you'd now pull yourself |
| You are out paddling on the river with your local kayak | | | | from the other kayakers kayak back up. |
| club on mild water (grade 1 - 2) and find you loose | | | | Lets continue as if there was no-one to rescue you, |
| balance within some moving water and consequently | | | | meaning you now need to escape the kayak and get |
| end upside down. You have not yet learnt to self | | | | wetter. |
| rescue (screw roll, hand roll) yourself back up. | | | | 4) Pull the loop/strap/hoop at the front of your cockpit |
| 1) Don't panic - doing so will reduce the amount of time | | | | which is attached to your spray deck (the device that |
| you are able to hold your breath and may also lead to | | | | stops water entering your kayak). |
| mistakes. Relax...that's the key. | | | | This releases your deck, and water will start to enter |
| 2) When the kayak's settled in the water (ie. not still | | | | your kayak. Don't panic! |
| rolling over) its time for the most important part of the | | | | 5) Next whilst remaining in your kayak move your |
| drill, Three loud bangs on the bottom of the kayak. To | | | | hands to behind the rear of your seat, with one hand |
| do this simply lean forwards (moving your head | | | | either side of the kayak. |
| towards the spray deck) and reaching your hands out | | | | Push off from here using your hands, and you will |
| of the water onto the base of the kayak, in the middle | | | | naturally pivot out of your kayak in a sort of side ways |
| of the cockpit area. From here bang three times. | | | | "U" Shape. |
| This allows other kayakers near to you to be aware | | | | 6) You are now swimming in the water, whilst keeping |
| of your situation and take appropriate action. | | | | hold of your paddle and kayak swim to the nearest or |
| This could lead to your being rescued in the form of an | | | | safest get out point (such as a slipway or fishing |
| Eskimo Rescue. | | | | platform) and make an egress. |
| 3) Next, whilst remaining leant forward, move your | | | | Note: whilst swimming a fellow kayaker may be able |
| hands into the same position as the three bangs stage | | | | to empty your kayak of water and get you back in |
| above. This time however, bring your hands further | | | | whilst still remaining on the river. This is called an "X |
| towards the front of the kayak (around level with the | | | | Rescue". |
| front of your cockpit) whilst keeping them out of the | | | | Empty kayak and keep warm, by wrapping up and |
| water. They should now be positioned to the side of | | | | keeping out of the wind. |
| the kayak. | | | | |