Paddle float self rescue

A Rescue using a paddle float. This technique must be practiced to be efficient. Find a warm, shallow water cove to experiment in and practice, practice, practice!

When in the water:

1. Make sure you've got your paddle and kayak securely in hand.
2. Put the paddle under the bungies or in the cockpit - make sure it's secure.
3. Take the paddle float and inflate both chambers till mostly, but not completely, full.
4. Take the paddle and slip one blade into the paddle float. Secure the paddle float retaining strap to the paddle.
5. Fully inflate the paddle float (should take only a puff on either side). If you fully inflate the paddle float before putting the paddle in, you may find it tight and with a lot of friction.
6. Two entry modes are possible:
   • Standard reentry - Take the paddle blade opposite the one with the float and slip it under the paddle park on the rear deck. Make sure it's well and solidly inserted. For most atandard paddle parks, the blade should be under the bungies on both sides of the kayak. Anything less and the paddle won't hold.
   • Advanced reentry - With one hand, hold the paddle shaft against the back of the coaming. You will have to hold it here securely until the reentry is complete.
7. With the paddle in position, float your body, face down, to the surface of the water. Ensure that your feet are up at the surface.
8. Do a dolphin kick (kick down simultaneously with both feet) and thrust your body up onto the rear deck†. Keep your head down.
9. Hook one foot over the paddle shaft near the float to secure the paddle. Keep your head down.
10. Move the other leg into the cockpit. Keep your head down.
11. Release your other foot from the paddle and replace it with the hand closest to the paddle. Keep your head down.
12. Keep your weight slightly towards the paddle side of the kayak. Keep your head down.
13. Slide on your tummy forward into the cockpit. Keep your head down.
14. Once inside the cockpit, keep one hand on the paddle and rotate your body toward the paddle side so that you end up in a sitting position.
15. Secure your skirt.
16. Start pumping out the kayak.
17. Take the paddle out of the paddle park and get on your way.

During this maneouver, it is important to keep your head down. If you're on the deck, the kayak is much less stable and lifting your head or body will increase the likelyhood that you'll end up swimming again. It is also very important to keep weight on the paddle float and not try to balance too much. If you unweight the paddle float, you are likely to tip over to the other side.

If you have a spare paddle, you can leave the main paddle in the paddle park with the float attached and paddle away. You may be in a situation where you can use the float as an outrigger until you are back into a safer area.

† There are two schools of thought on where you float your body before pulling yourself up onto the deck. Some prefer to lie in the water aft of the paddle and then, once on the deck, cross both legs over the paddle on the way to the cockpit. Others prefer to lie forward of the paddle and launch themselves at an angle to both the kayak and paddle onto the rear deck. This leaves both legs forward of the paddle and nearer the cockpit. I've done both and taught both. I find that many beginners have an easier time with the former method. If they're athletic (or younger and macho), the latter approach works well. Try both and see what you prefer.