Kayak Fishing Self Rescue PDF Print E-mail
Written by salmontim   
Tuesday, 06 May 2008

Background for this article:

I have made about 40 fishing and a few snorkeling trips from my kayak (Hobie Outback) for the past 2 years. My previous kayak was a homemade skin over frame type ( I think you could capsize it in world record time) I used it to explore the bays of Baja. After a year or so I did some Kayak surfing.

I have been a life long boater, who did a lot of water sports as a youth. In the navy I attended SCUBA diving school and served as the Ship’s Diver for seven years, or so.

Before I detail the chain of events, which lead to my capsizing, I would like to address how did the water get into my Yak? I don’t know. I have contacted Hobie, and I can assure you they also want to know. I will be delivering my hull for test and analysis later this week. I will post the results of their findings

INCIDENT:
I capsized my Hobie Outback in Jamaica Bay during a kayak fishing tournament. I was approximately 2 ½ miles from the mainland launch site. (Floyd Bennett Field)

Some of the things I did wrong were: 

  • Waterproof VHF was not charged…
  • if you don’t have one buy one that floats. (Icom makes one)
  • Didn’t have my dry top on. (discussed later)
  • Didn’t have a kayak bilge pump on board.
  • Didn’t have battery ready for rollover.
  • Didn’t have camera in a quality Waterproof bag.
  • Don’t go out alone.
  • Didn’t have a kayak pump (cups and sponger are of little use) Scotty & Beckson make them.
 
Some things I have read in this forum that would have greatly helped me:
 
  • Think about carrying a flare kit and fins
 
Some of the things that helped me during my self-rescue:
 
  • Practiced self rescue every year in my yak
  • rain like you fight - Fight like you train.Stayed focused on what do to now
  • Don’t dwell on how you got there – Its How are you going to get out that will save you.
  • Don’t panic, draw on your life’s experiences and the resources on hand.
  • If a step in your self-recovery doesn’t work out, focus on what you should do next.
  • Do not reflect on your life or loved ones. Focus on the current step of your recovery.
  • I frequent the gym to get a good cardio workout, especially during the off season.
  • Knowing that I could do this… (Think Positive)
During this event I learned several things. I think one of the most important is anything I had stored inside my kayak would have been useless during this event, until I made land… Boy did that water taste good! 
 
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 06 May 2008 )
 
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