Narcan
valued Member
Posts: 151
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Post by Narcan on Sept 3, 2010 20:11:31 GMT -1
Just a word of warning and a very valid point!!!
I fell off my Malibu Mini X today in a choppy sea, forecast was 5mph from the South. Went out off LLandudno North Shore in glass calm conditions.
It soon became an Easterly with white horses without warning! One big wave tipped me off balance (now this has never happened before!!!) and I was in the drink!!
No way could I get back on the yak, I struggled and struggled but got tired and started getting cramp! Then I started to panic, I was on my own (as usual!) and nobody was about!
I then decided that no way I was going to die like that poor woman off the island! I had a waterproof VHS radio, an anchor if I needed it, a PFD which kept me afloat, and 4 smoke flares in a waterproof bag.
I gathered my thoughts and decided to paddle with the kayak to shore, probably 300 yards?
I knew that if anything went wrong, I had options! All my kit was tied to the yak, £400 worth of tackle, My paddle, and my kit bag!
I managed to get to shore, shook up and a great deal relieved! I didn't lose anything off the yak despite it overturning, and I am here to share the experience!!!
Take care guys, and always have a plan B, C, D, and E!!!!
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Post by kerny on Sept 3, 2010 23:01:03 GMT -1
This just shows how conditions can change very quickly at sea and that having the right equipment is paramount ,the biggest thing in your favour was that although you say that you panicked is that you gathered your thoughts , and this was the main factor that I believe got you out of the s**t and also having the right equipment gave you the confidence not to panic after the initial capsize . Thanks Narcan for this post which is a learning curb for all of us . Glad you made it back to shore.
kerny.
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Post by ZEBRA on Sept 4, 2010 20:41:38 GMT -1
THIS IS A GREAT POST thanks narcan for sharing it with us its so easy to get in to trouble in the sea it happens in a moment you don't have time to prepare for it it just happens great that you had all your kit still on the kayak. its always so important to have alternative plans when things go wrong and it highlights the importance of doing a course weather you are experienced or not the sea can and will always have the upper hand with us . narcan is an experienced kayak angler with many trips under his belt but if the sea can catch him out then it just goes to show how easy it is to get in to trouble . great that you had all the safety kit on board and knew how to use it if needed . my advice to everybody is always do a course . practice what you learn . and respect the sea . and most of all take a few deep breaths and assess the situation this is known as dynamic assessment meaning assess the situation as it arises thank fully narcan did this . if it can catch narcan out it can catch any of us at any time . thank god this had a happy ending and thanks to narcan for sharing and highlighting it with us .
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Post by THURSOMAN on Sept 5, 2010 19:28:26 GMT -1
Narcan my hat goes off to you for posting this thread. This is a valuable subject greatly appreciated as the lads have rightly highlighted along with the sound advice contributed. So relieved all ended well for you mate not a pleasant experience but one we can all take something from. Very grateful for the word of warning and very valid point. Thanks for that Narcan.
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Narcan
valued Member
Posts: 151
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Post by Narcan on Sept 5, 2010 21:03:44 GMT -1
Cheers guys, glad to be here to share the experience!! If the worst came to the worse, I would have dropped anchor, contacted Holyhead Coastguard on a 'Pan Pan' call (less serious than a Mayday but still requires urgent response) If the radio failed I would have popped a flare (one of 4) I lost my mobile from my pocket so that was rendered useless, (Another lesson to those who rely on mobiles!!!) But my waterproof VHF radio (and lifeline) is kept carrabinered to my PFD, no way am I losing that!! In hindsight, I probably should have been with someone else? I should have contacted Holyhead on 16 just to let them know I was having trouble (But I know for a fact that they would task a resource immediately, and a person in the water is serious enough for them to task a helicopter, and I really didn't want that, but it was an option for me!) And thirdly, when I practiced re-mounting on my kayak, it was bare, no rods, seat, rod rests, tackle, anchor line, a whole different kettle of fish I can tell you! But despite everything, I knew I was safe as I had prepared for every eventuality! Anybody else got a similar story? Cheers
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Post by bluedaksi on Sept 6, 2010 3:23:58 GMT -1
Thank goodness you were clear-headed enough to find a solution and get back to safety. Do you happen to know what the water temperature was? I surely must have been cold - were you wearing a wetsuit or dry suit? Live and learn.
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Post by jimbo125 on Sept 6, 2010 16:59:00 GMT -1
Great to see you get back to shore unhurt. Just a quick question. You mentioned in your report that all your gear was tied to the yak, what about yourself? Does anyone tie themselves to yak. It's just a thought that if you take a spill and get separated from your craft things could be a lot worse.
Jimbo.
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Narcan
valued Member
Posts: 151
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Post by Narcan on Sept 6, 2010 18:14:25 GMT -1
Great to see you get back to shore unhurt. Just a quick question. You mentioned in your report that all your gear was tied to the yak, what about yourself? Does anyone tie themselves to yak. It's just a thought that if you take a spill and get separated from your craft things could be a lot worse. Jimbo. If I got that tired and couldn't continue, I would have lashed myself to the yak, (NEVER LEAVE THE YAK WHEN OUT AT SEA!) I would have done this with either the paddle leash, rod leash or tow rope, again I had 3 options. Even a figure 8 knot in the anchor line and a carribiner on my PFD would have worked I guess = 4 options? As for water temp? When I fell in it was the last thing on my mind, and it was actually quite warm, certainly not a breathtaking experience, but it soon became coolish hence the cramp I think? On this occasion because the forecast was 22deg, I was wearing shorts and T-Shirt and a PFD, But I do have, and wear a shorty wet suit, a full wet suit, and also a dry suit, (Not all at the same time!!lol) One thing I have done since this hiccup is to sew a crotch strap to my PFD as it rode up my torso when I was in the water, I will post a pic if I get time. Cheers.
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Post by bobbobbob on Sept 6, 2010 19:29:39 GMT -1
Well!!!!!!!! This post should be posted on all the kayak sites, WSF, SWKF, SKF ETC It's one of the most poignant posts I've read... Our lives are the most valuable things we have. To share these moments may make people think and save lives. Thanks you for sharing. Bob
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ste
valued Member
Posts: 75
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Post by ste on Sept 11, 2010 7:28:04 GMT -1
just an idea the first thing i noted was that you was alone, would it not be possable to put a calander on the site so as other poeple who might be available can meet up. great to hear your post instead reading it in the news. Ste
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Post by kayakadventures on Sept 17, 2010 20:47:18 GMT -1
A very honest post. Perhaps the key is the comment "I knew that if anything went wrong, I had options!" Just having the right kit gives confidence especially when you know how and when to use it.
An extra thought is the importance of having a brightly coloured kayak. Our local coastguard have big concerns with dark colour kayaks which are very hard to spot. One Pilot recalls piloting a large ferry into port. he saw the yellow kayak and only saw the green one as he went past it. He still looks worried as he recalls the story..
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Post by SEAJUNKY on Sept 29, 2010 6:17:59 GMT -1
Narcan this is a great post, it should be held up as an example of how thing should work. I am very pleased that all turned out OK.
Ste There is nothing stopping any members announcing when they are planning a trip out, and inviting all who would like to join you on the day. This is a personal thing, but I have always felt that there is safety in numbers, just like diving, I always went with at least one buddy.
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