paddle floats

[josko]

I've been dutifully carrying around a paddle float for years, and it occurs to me that I have no idea what to do with it. My go-to rescue is a reentry-and-roll, with a decent cowboy as backup. I know it can be used as an inflatable bag to help with holed compartment, camping pillow, etc, but wonder if it's worth the space and effort to carry it in a sea kayak. Thoughts?

[rfolster]

That is an age-old question, isn't it? There are any number of items that many of us carry that we may never use (at least not the way they were originally intended). As a measure of safety, the paddle float has several uses which you have already recognized. One would hope to never have to use it to plug a hole in a boat, or even be at the point where it is necessary to use it for it's intended purpose, which is to support a paddle during a self-rescue. However, you must decide for yourself and your fellow paddlers whether or not it is "worth" the space and effort to carry it. I for one have been questioning it myself for the past half year or so, and yet every time I go out, there it is in my boat, along with my extensive first aid kit, emergency shelter, hypothermia kit, and so on, all of which I put into my boat each time we go out, and hope to not see it again until the end of the day when I am packing up. it is all becoming part of my regular paddling process, and on any given day it holds no "worth" to carry it. However, there may come a day when "worth" will become quite significant, and on that day you might be glad you have it. Let's hope that day never comes!

[Doug]

I never carry one as I paddle with others most of the time and the paddles I do on my own are within short reach of the shoreline 99% of the time.

I tend to keep things as simple as possible yet comforted by the fact that many others are overly prepared.

On the other hand, if your a solo paddler doing open water crossings and similar, etc. the paddle float is a must.

Doug

[leong]

You need a paddle float for three reasons:

1. For the day that your cowboy and reentry-and-roll might fail.
2. For pumping out your boat. (Rough conditions make it difficult to maintain stability while pumping out the boat. With the paddle float on the paddle and the shaft across your lap, lean on it for support as you pump out your cockpit. That is, rest your forearm on the paddle shaft and hold the pump with the same hand. Tilt the kayak towards the paddle float [that allows the water to pool by the pump]. That same hand can hold the pump and skirt if need be. The free hand does the pumping.)
3. For the reasons stated by Rob and Doug.

-Leon

PS
I roll my paddle float around my pump. It’s nice if your pump and rolled up paddle float fit behind your seat like my setup does. My pump is only 18 inches long like this one and fits behind all of my kayaks that have overall widths of 21 inches.

Edited December 31, 2014 by leong

[Michael_Crouse]

Several paddle floats to fill up a flooded/holed compartment

As a foot brace when you lose one

As a back rest when yours fails

Stabilizing a paddler who's being towed.

For the minimal space it takes up I will keep carrying it. If you haven't used it for years you might want to make sure it still holds air.

[Gcosloy]

Paddle float re-entry has gotten a bad rap over the years which may be as unwarranted as criticizing cowboy re-entry because some of us can't do it. Performed correctly by insuring that the float deployed is down wind and down wave and securing the free end of the paddle behind the cockpit, preferably with a sling looped over the free end, under the hull and wrapped a couple of times round the opposite end leaving a loop in the water to serve as a stirrup, paddle float re-entry is a useful tool to have when the swimmer may be tired or even injured. I always carry one plus a sling and may practice with it once a season. Also re-enter and roll can be made easier for some by using the float on the end of the paddle. Paddle float re-entry should not be relied upon as your first or only method of self rescue but may need to be employed as your last method when all others have failed.

Edited December 31, 2014 by GCosloy

[Lallen]

Michael, how do you use the paddle float to stabilize a paddler who is being towed? I've not seen that one before so curious on the set up.

[Brian Nystrom]

Michael, how do you use the paddle float to stabilize a paddler who is being towed? I've not seen that one before so curious on the set up.

One method is to use a pair of paddle floats on a spare, lashed to the aft deck. It forms an outrigger that can help to stabilize someone who still has a modicum of balance. For people who are really sick or incapacitated, it's necessary to have someone raft with them.

[Lallen]

Thanks for the explanation, Brian. I figured it must be something like that-just never saw it and so the mental image on how to is useful.

[rick stoehrer]

personally, i hold paddle floats in VERY low regard as a self rescue tool and believe that the illusion of safety they may offer endangers new paddlers lest they {think} that a paddle float is a good alternative to other methods of self rescue that they may not have mastered yet; in the real world they would soon run into the limitations of the tool....and if that's the only tool in your tool box, you got a problem.

outside of strict rescue purposes though, it has a OTHER uses for which it is better suited - to raft, to support, as an internal bladder, to use as a pillow, a tool for teaching a roll.

i hope you are all well in this new year.

[josko]

Rick,

I agree and think the paddle float is really not worth carrying for an intermediate or better kayaker. I haven't seen anything in the discussion above to change my mind. It is useful, at some level, but IMHO not sufficiently useful to justify its' weight and volume.

[leong]

Rick,

I agree and think the paddle float is really not worth carrying for an intermediate or better kayaker. I haven't seen anything in the discussion above to change my mind. It is useful, at some level, but IMHO not sufficiently useful to justify its' weight and volume.

Granted, if you’re good at them, most self rescues like rolls and scrambles are easier than paddle float re-entries. But I would guess that even an advanced sea kayaker might dislocate her shoulder and be unable to do a self-rescue without a paddle float or some other aid. “Stuff” sometimes happens.

-Leon

[Michael_Crouse]

Granted, if you’re good at them, most self rescues like rolls and scrambles are easier than paddle float re-entries. But I would guess that even an advanced sea kayaker might dislocate her shoulder and be unable to do a self-rescue without a paddle float or some other aid. “Stuff” sometimes happens.

-Leon

Agreed, for a new paddler the paddle float is the first thing in their line of defense, for an experienced one it becomes the last but I think it should still be there.

[rick stoehrer]

Look if it's the ONLY tool in your box, take it. Be crazy not to do so.

But we both know that a paddle float is a very weak defense. I think a better, stronger argument could be made for going paddling with someone else...someone with rescue skills, whatever. A person can actively help you, a paddle float not so much.

I used to joke that Rick Crangle was the perfect expedition tool. Quiet, competent, crafty, trusted to not make the wrong decision...and we weren't super close so while I liked him...eh, if I lost him, there would be others. Like a leatherman. And I make it sound a little callous and joke a little but that's how I think about things....Who/What do I have at my disposal? I am sure others think the same way to some extent and I speak with all the respect and love to tricky Ricky Crangle. Believe me between a paddle float and a Crangle, take a Crangle every time.

And as an "advanced" (What is that? An old crack? GD kids...stay off my lawn!) paddler I can't imagine what hare brain thing I might be doing ALONE, far offshore that I would need the immediate assistance of a paddle float...I am a coastal critter and almost always found in a group so for me I don't see the porpoise (yuk-yuk) of carrying a paddle float when I have people handy...I can do all the things and more with boats and people.

In the meantime until the ACA adopts a more sensible paddle with a buddy philosophy I will gleefully and without reservation teach the paddle float rescue. You betcha...ohyah.

My 2 cents and your mileage may vary.

[jason]

Look if it's the ONLY tool in your box, take it. Be crazy not to do so.

But we both know that a paddle float is a very weak defense. I think a better, stronger argument could be made for going paddling with someone else...someone with rescue skills, whatever. A person can actively help you, a paddle float not so much.

I used to joke that Rick Crangle was the perfect expedition tool. Quiet, competent, crafty, trusted to not make the wrong decision...and we weren't super close so while I liked him...eh, if I lost him, there would be others. Like a leatherman. And I make it sound a little callous and joke a little but that's how I think about things....Who/What do I have at my disposal? I am sure others think the same way to some extent and I speak with all the respect and love to tricky Ricky Crangle. Believe me between a paddle float and a Crangle, take a Crangle every time.

And as an "advanced" (What is that? An old crack? GD kids...stay off my lawn!) paddler I can't imagine what hare brain thing I might be doing ALONE, far offshore that I would need the immediate assistance of a paddle float...I am a coastal critter and almost always found in a group so for me I don't see the porpoise (yuk-yuk) of carrying a paddle float when I have people handy...I can do all the things and more with boats and people.

In the meantime until the ACA adopts a more sensible paddle with a buddy philosophy I will gleefully and without reservation teach the paddle float rescue. You betcha...ohyah.

My 2 cents and your mileage may vary.

Rick is also shows up with some wonderful food. I don't see a paddle float making me a nice meal. :-)

[leong]

And my 2 cents:

From Keith’s and John’s Plum Island incident posted in Trip Reports:

“We were carrying our year round kit including radios, flares, paddle floats, pumps, spare paddles, tows, etc. My spare was a full length carried on my fore deck, John had a short paddle as a spare, also on his front deck. That day I was carrying my radio, rescue kit (flares, mirror, light, whistle, knife), tow and fuzzy rubber hood in a new over vest - which turned out to be a good thing. I had a 3mm hood and mittens as well as water bladder in my skirt pocket. John's flare gun and other gear was on his life vest, but his radio was in a dry bag in his day hatch.”

Okay, some Rambo’s think they will never need a need a paddle float since they don’t paddle solo. On this topic Keith goes on to say (after both paddle floats were no longer with them):

“Having a paddle float on the end of that outrigger could have provided sufficient additional stability, along with having a human holding the boat, to allow the re-entry to succeed. While the paddle float on John's boat was on his back deck under two tight bungees and had ridden through rough conditions, it's proof that past history is not a predictor of future performance. The clear lesson of this event is if it's not tethered, it's gone. More on tethers later.”

So here is an actual case (not a hypothesized example) of two experienced paddlers getting into trouble only a short distance from shore. They both had to be rescued by a CG helicopter.

Paraphrasing what I said earlier, you don’t need a paddle float until you need a paddle float.

Stay safe.

-Leon

[leong]

Look if it's the ONLY tool in your box, take it. Be crazy not to do so.

But we both know that a paddle float is a very weak defense. I think a better, stronger argument could be made for going paddling with someone else...someone with rescue skills, whatever. A person can actively help you, a paddle float not so much.

I used to joke that Rick Crangle was the perfect expedition tool. Quiet, competent, crafty, trusted to not make the wrong decision...and we weren't super close so while I liked him...eh, if I lost him, there would be others. Like a leatherman. And I make it sound a little callous and joke a little but that's how I think about things....Who/What do I have at my disposal? I am sure others think the same way to some extent and I speak with all the respect and love to tricky Ricky Crangle. Believe me between a paddle float and a Crangle, take a Crangle every time.

And as an "advanced" (What is that? An old crack? GD kids...stay off my lawn!) paddler I can't imagine what hare brain thing I might be doing ALONE, far offshore that I would need the immediate assistance of a paddle float...I am a coastal critter and almost always found in a group so for me I don't see the porpoise (yuk-yuk) of carrying a paddle float when I have people handy...I can do all the things and more with boats and people.

In the meantime until the ACA adopts a more sensible paddle with a buddy philosophy I will gleefully and without reservation teach the paddle float rescue. You betcha...ohyah.

My 2 cents and your mileage may vary.

Rick,

>>Believe me between a paddle float and a Crangle, take a Crangle every time.

Of course, but the statement has a question-begging presupposition. There’s no rule that says a Crangle and a paddle float are an either/or choice. Why not both?

Personally, I always take my paddle float wrapped around my pump … whether I’m paddling solo or with Crangle (or other trusted rescuers like you or R. Levine).

-Leon

[rick stoehrer]

Leon -

Actually they and you are supposing that having a paddle float would provide sufficient stability, right? They didn't have one so they didn't actually perform diddly squat with one in those conditions. Given the day and the conditions they were in at the time, who knows if it would have been useful or performed adequately or if as a result of deployment, something else would have been a failure point? You don't know - you have no evidence/history.

On the other hand, my mates and I were on that same piece of water in conditions that were actually a skosh even less optimal and we sorted it out without the CG (although it waaaas sketchy.) We swam to shore. We all wrote it up from our individual POV's after the fact and parsed it out looking for our mistakes and what we coulda/woulda/shoulda done differently and then chatted it up...damn near killing ourselves made us downright reflective. What really matters? So anyways, after that little jaunt we wrote it up, chatted it up and not a single one of us came up with "paddle float" as an answer. The write up is archived on the board somewhere....you can find it if you think there might be any info to be gleaned.

Further....Rambo was alive at the end of all those movies and a lot of folks weren't....so PTSD rage aside, thanks. I'll take being alive any day!

You stay safe your way Leon and I'll stay safe mine....so long as we always get back to shore we can probably agree they both work.

(and remember you have to read that all in Robert Shaws / Captain Quint voice from JAWS where he talks about "i'll never wear a life jacket again")

Edited January 8, 2015 by rick stoehrer

[leong]

Rick

Thanks, let’s both stay safe.

I just reread your great incident report, an archive from my 'puter. I think everyone should click on it to read or reread it. I can see that a paddle float would have been useless in those conditions.

-Leon

[PeterB]

i dont see much use for a paddle float while paddling with others , but paddling alone i see it as a last line of defense: if self rescues fail, a paddle float re- enter and roll is viable.Since a paddle float also serves as a float bag ( its always good and certainly no harm to have a variety of float bag shapes and sizes) and can be used as a camp pillow and it takes up virtually no space its not worth arguing against taking one along if one finds it useful. If its not useful, very little harm done having one along.
Having a Crangle along as ultimate safety gear is inarguable but since he's not always available and a paddle float is, i dont see any downside to bringing one along.

[leong]

i dont see much use for a paddle float while paddling with others , but paddling alone i see it as a last line of defense: if self rescues fail , a paddle float re- enter and roll is viable.Since a paddle float also serves as a float bag ( its always good and certainly no harm to have a variety of float bag shapes and sizes) and can be used as a camp pillow and it takes up virtually no space its not worth arguing against taking one along if one finds it useful. if its not useful , very little harm done having one along.

Having a Crangle along as ultimate safety gear is inarguable but sinces hes not always available and a padfle float is, i dont see any downside to

bringing one along.

Well said Mr. President. But note that a paddler can get separated from a group, especially in conditions or fog. So, as they say, we’re all between solo paddles, er, I mean between swims.

-Leon

PS

Okay, paddling groups never get separated on CAM trips. Except maybe sometimes. I vote for a Crangle (or a Levine) and a paddle float.

[mhabich]

I've never had a paddle float lure me into the rocks. Can't say the same for a Crangle (or a Levine).

Another mark against paddle floats...

[rfolster]

I've checked REI, EMS, LL Bean, and several online sites, but can't seem to find a Crangle anywhere. Does anyone know where to get one, and are they easy to work with?

[rick stoehrer]

while reliable, "crangle" vintage equipment is analog and no longer available; service contracts on existing units are expensive and parts are a bitch to find. the same holds true for aged "granowitz", "godfrey", "stoehrer", "brady" and "sylvester" models...the list goes on and on.

hell, i bring a "dela vega" i've had for years and it's showing it's age but the damn thing is almost unbreakable.

newer, digital era equipment is on the market...use for many years and miles in various conditions and similar utility will be reliably available. You'll know when you've got a good one when it's the first piece of kit you make sure you have for the trip.

[Gcosloy]

Let's see-over the years I've employed a granowitz, a beckwith, a levine and most recently a charette. They are all equally reliable. If I include CAM on the water sessions the list expands greatly. Maybe Hillary is right-it takes a village!