Master Sea Kayak Rescues : Your Essential Guide

Rescues That Work!
As an ACA Coastal Kayak Instructor, I am always searching for new and improved rescue/recovery/re-entry techniques. Having taught hundreds of paddlers, I’ve found that if one technique isn’t working, it’s vital to have alternatives. I saw co-author Jan Shriner demonstrate almost all of the rescues taught in this book at a pool session using local paddlers as “rescuees”. I was totally impressed: effective and efficient! This book has clearly written descriptions and photos that give you the close-up detail to understand what’s critical. I recommend you read, then practice close to shore with a trusted buddy [or take a class], then read again to highlight what you need to work on. Keep practicing to fine-tune. It’s my favorite reference for intermediate to advanced sea kayakers.A caveat: I’ll pass on a student’s comment: “it sure is easier to figure out on the water with an instructor.” It was easier for me to follow because I had seen the author in person. This is bed-time reading for me pre-season when I want to brush up on technique.

Jam-Packed with Useful Skills
Sea Kayak Rescue is well written and clearly illustrated. It covers self-rescue, assisted re-entries, towing, rescuing swimmers, etc. Also included are exercises for learning and improving your techniques. The authors are kayak coaching instructors who, with their students, have worked all the kinks out of their rescue skills.Anybody who spends any time kayaking in big water should read it and work it. I’ve read it twice and am trying it out, bit by bit, every week.Why didn’t I give it 5 stars?The authors have spent most of their time with athletes–and I normally kayak with friends who aren’t! There are some tricks, useful for weaker people, that got left out.Specifically, I found no mention of the heel-hook assisted re-entry. This is my go-to technique for getting someone back in their boat after a capsize. It requires no equipment, no skill, and very little upper-body strength. The “swimmer” doesn’t even need to know how to swim! In my experience, it works for anyone who can lift one end of their kayak and walk it down to the water.Here’s a 30-second demonstration: […]It may not be obvious from the video, but all she is doing is straightening the leg that is inside the cockpit (while pulling, a little, with her arms). This causes her thigh and butt muscles (the strongest in the body) to lever her out of the water and onto the back deck. It’s much easier than it looks.

Great lessons from a master
Excellent book. Not only does it describe a number of rescue techniques with step-by-step instructions, but also good exercises and drills. What was never introduced in my ACA classes (and should have been) is covered here.

Kayak with more confidence!
Excellent book by Roger. Worth the time spend reading. I get out and paddle quite a bit and Roger’s book has given me more confidence to explore!

Le sequenze fotografiche descrivono molto bene la sequenza di movimenti per le varie tecniche di salvataggio ed auyosalvataggio nel Kayak da mare

Zielgruppe sind laut Titel die Seekajakie; aber profitieren können auch alle, die auf Binnengewässern unterwegs sind. Wichtig: aktuelle Informationen zu Wind, Wellen, Wetter im Fahrtgebiet. Diese Art von Büchern lesen ist schön – aber man muss noch reichlich praktisch üben, damit die vielen möglichen Gefahren gemeistert werden können. Auch zusätzliches Sicherheitsequipment wird besprochen und muss in Abläufe, die im Kopf so logisch erscheinen, durch praktisches Üben automatisiert werden.Die Bilder im Buch sind nicht farbig, sondern “greyscale”, der Text ist 2-spaltig gedruckt und wichtige Textpassagen sind grau hinterlegt. Eigentlich eine Empfehlung für alle Kajak-FahrerInnen, auch wenn sie nicht auf die hohe See bzw. Küstengewässer wollen.

Great book.