Day 2
Similar to day 1, it'll be a tiring day. Not enough sleep... -.-
A simple day indeed
Jun Ping started the day allowing us to practice tying a water knot. Once we were ready, a little time was spent talking about the differences between a kayak and a canoe. When all was ready, we got in to our gear and hit the water.
In short, day 2 was mainly spent on rescue.
We practiced the following:
1) TX rescue
2) Contact tow - Facing each other, the one who needs to be towed will hold on to the bow of the other kayak. Now, when will we ever need such a tow!?
Well interestingly, there is a reason for such tow. Supposing your paddle has been pushed off by the currents and you cant reach it easily. This contact tow will allow you as the rescuer or I'd rather say helper, help the other kayaker to get to his paddle. Other methods would be for the victim to hold the stern of your kayak, or the left or right, while you do a draw.
3) Long tow - Exactly the same as what was taught in 3 star course. We practiced 'i tow' as well as 'assisted tow'. One key difference which i find good is that in an assisted tow, the rescuer ties both the assistance's as well as victim's kayak before starting to tow. In 3 star course, only the victim's kayak is tied. Having done a test, I realize that especially in bad water conditions, it is VERY tiring for the assistant if he is not tied to the victim's kayak. He would have spent all his energy trying to keep his kayak as one with the victim's kayak. Another good reason is that having tied both kayaks together, the assistant's hands can be free if needed to, to help the victim. When doing assisted tow, the assistant should lean on to the victim's kayak. This is to reduce the surface area of his kayak in the water, hence making it easier for the rescuer to tow. The paddles should be laid perpendicular and in between the assistant and victim.
4) Stir up rescue: Similar to TX rescue, but the method of entry uses a self made tow rope and carabina. Align the self made tow rope along the coaming of the kayak with the carabina dropping below sea level on the side of the victim. The victim's leg which is closer to the stern should step on the carabina. Using the carabina as a step, the victim pushes himself up on to the kayak, and flip himself towards the back while putting his free leg in to the leg slot closer to the side he steps up from. Once stable, he turns himself around adjusting himself such that his two legs are comfortably in the kayak.
5) Tow rope rescue - 2 methods of throwing a tow rope when your victim is in water and you are on land. Rugby method, and under hand method. Also, how to retrieve the rope for a second throw if the first one missed your victim.
In short, day 2 was mainly spent on rescue.
We practiced the following:
1) TX rescue
2) Contact tow - Facing each other, the one who needs to be towed will hold on to the bow of the other kayak. Now, when will we ever need such a tow!?
Well interestingly, there is a reason for such tow. Supposing your paddle has been pushed off by the currents and you cant reach it easily. This contact tow will allow you as the rescuer or I'd rather say helper, help the other kayaker to get to his paddle. Other methods would be for the victim to hold the stern of your kayak, or the left or right, while you do a draw.
3) Long tow - Exactly the same as what was taught in 3 star course. We practiced 'i tow' as well as 'assisted tow'. One key difference which i find good is that in an assisted tow, the rescuer ties both the assistance's as well as victim's kayak before starting to tow. In 3 star course, only the victim's kayak is tied. Having done a test, I realize that especially in bad water conditions, it is VERY tiring for the assistant if he is not tied to the victim's kayak. He would have spent all his energy trying to keep his kayak as one with the victim's kayak. Another good reason is that having tied both kayaks together, the assistant's hands can be free if needed to, to help the victim. When doing assisted tow, the assistant should lean on to the victim's kayak. This is to reduce the surface area of his kayak in the water, hence making it easier for the rescuer to tow. The paddles should be laid perpendicular and in between the assistant and victim.
4) Stir up rescue: Similar to TX rescue, but the method of entry uses a self made tow rope and carabina. Align the self made tow rope along the coaming of the kayak with the carabina dropping below sea level on the side of the victim. The victim's leg which is closer to the stern should step on the carabina. Using the carabina as a step, the victim pushes himself up on to the kayak, and flip himself towards the back while putting his free leg in to the leg slot closer to the side he steps up from. Once stable, he turns himself around adjusting himself such that his two legs are comfortably in the kayak.
5) Tow rope rescue - 2 methods of throwing a tow rope when your victim is in water and you are on land. Rugby method, and under hand method. Also, how to retrieve the rope for a second throw if the first one missed your victim.