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Contact-tow-straps.
The foam floats are trimmed to be as small as possible and still keep
the carabiners from sinking. In the tow strap, the male side of the
buckle (upper right) is adjustable. The female side (lower right)
is not and is attached by a loop sewn into the webbing.
If possible, use buckles that are adjustable on both sides.
The Swimmer's Rescue and Transport
To set up for the swimmer's rescue and transport, both kayaks approach the swimmer, side by side, facing the same direction but staggered so that one boat is ahead of the other. If one kayak has a rudder it takes the rear position, and may use the rudder to steer. A rudderless kayak in the forward position eliminates the risk of cuts and scrapes that the stern paddler might get trying to paddle around a rudder pulled in tight alongside his cockpit.
One contact-tow strap connects the bow of the aft boat to the forward boat just ahead of the cockpit, from the outside deck line of one kayak to the outside deck line of the other. If you have grab lines running by the cockpit, the contact-tow strap will lie across the forward paddler's spray deck. The other contact-tow strap connects the stern of the forward boat to the deck lines around the cockpit of the aft boat. If your deck rigging allows it, the straps are easiest to tension or to release if they are well within reach on the spray decks of both paddlers.
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Carabiners that have a hook to capture the pin in the gate tend to catch on deck lines and bungies. |
The best carabiners for the contact tow straps are those that will not snag on deck lines. The flared end shown here fits into the groove in the gate. |
The best place to clip the carabiners is on a perimeter grab line. Tighten the contact-tow strap to pull the slack out of the grab lie. Bungies have too much stretch to provide a positive connection between the kayaks. Running the straps under the inside deck lines will keep the kayaks from opening up under the swimmer, but the buckles will be prone to snag when released. If you position the buckles with the webbing leading into the top face of the buckle, they are less likely to snag, but if you are in conditions that may require a quick separation of the kayaks, don't thread the straps under the inside deck lines.
The swimmer positions himself at the aft deck of the forward kayak, lets his legs float up and perpendicular to the kayaks. With a quick scissors kick and a lunge, the same technique a kayaker uses for a paddle-float self rescue, and climbs up and lies across the boats. The swimmer should take a position completely out of the water to reduce his exposure to the water and to keep from interfering with the paddling progress of the kayakers. If the position of the swimmer causes one of the boats to lean, direct him to get in a position to give the kayaks the best possible trim.
If the swimmer is incapacitated, as was the case in the Powers/Green rescue, it was easier to attach the boats after the swimmer was pulled aboard. The weaker of the two paddlers approaches the swimmer and puts the swimmer in position just aft of the cockpit. The stronger paddler comes along the opposite side of the first kayak and reaches across the deck to the swimmer. Grabbing the swimmer with one hand and pushing down on the deck with the other, he pulls the swimmer across both boats then pulls his legs out of the water. The other paddler holds the kayaks together and may assist in pulling the swimmer aboard. The outside boat slides back to the rafted-double position and both paddlers use their contact-tow straps to connect the kayaks.
Buckles that allow adjustments to the strap on either side provide the most versatile contact tow straps. They are also easier to replace if damaged, since they don't need to be secured by loops sewn into the webbing.
The success of this variation depends upon the strength of the paddler. In rough water or with a heavy swimmer, it can be very difficult to perform the rescue of an incapacitated swimmer without the aid of a third kayak on the other side of the swimmer.
The swimmer's rescue and transport may not be a technique that you are ever called upon to use, but is just one more useful tool for a sea kayaker's bag of tricks. Include it in your practice sessions with your paddling partners. It may save a life some day.
Dennis E. Fortier has been kayaking for about 6 years and he and his paddling partners take a strong interest in safety and navigational skills. A private investigator, he lives in Walled Lake, Michigan and can be reached via email at dfortier01@aol.com
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