Comments on: T Rescues & Variations

By: derrick

derrick — Thu, 29 May 2008 18:45:19 +0000

Yeah, I think we’re talking about how far we go with it. There are many instances where for the sake of expediency we skip the “T” part and just get people back in their boat then pump out. So that would be the “T” minus the “T”. Of course if we can manage you are right that dumping the water first is good. Plus doing a “hitch or hook” depending on what it’s called and just pulling the swimmer into their cockpit is again much faster that what we tend to be taught here in the midwest (if you have the strength). Anyway, I don’t think anyone is dismissing the rescue as much as dismissing this part or that. Of course rolling is always better!! LOL!

By: Alec

Alec — Thu, 29 May 2008 18:33:38 +0000

Okay, so maybe I’m missing something here and will end up being embarassed, but I guess that’s how we learn. I actually think that the T rescue is a useful rescue that works amazingly well in rough conditions. I have done it successfully in 5′ waves and know of well known paddlers using it to rescue the partner they never thought they would have to help, while on expedition. We practice it for speed (under a minute) and proficiency so that when we need it, it will work. Sure, I can do a scoop ( or not pump out the boat) much faster, but why pump the boat if 10 seconds more won’t make a difference. It seems to me that that the T-rescue is one of the many useful tools we have to choose when we look at a situation and are deciding what is appropriate.

By: derrick

derrick — Thu, 29 May 2008 12:53:44 +0000

Some would say the “Tea” Rescue. Something you do when you have all the time in the world. What it does do in some sense is prepare the rescuer for taking on a lead roll in working with a paddler in the water. Staying in control, giving clear direction and such. . even though as we advance we may not go through all the rigamaroll of a “T”.

By: Dave O

Dave O — Thu, 29 May 2008 12:42:38 +0000

We watched a guy last night practicing getting into his 12′ rec boat. HIs comment was that he didn’t think this techinque would be worth a sh*t in any conditions that actually would cause him to capsize. We all agreed. Kelly Blades and Danny Mongo did a great ‘get back in the boat as quickly and using anything that works’ demo at Canoecopia which gently and humorously debunked the T-rescue. We found it to be an eye opener.

By: flip

flip — Wed, 28 May 2008 22:21:58 +0000

We just put the T-Rescue to the test in tidal conditions a week ago during 5 days of training. While it seems like a straight forward technique, it certainly seems better suited to flat conditions; most likely the last place a rescue would be required for anyone but the most novice paddler. I agree with Stevie and I place it just above the eskimo bow rescue in terms of real world techniques. Nice boats in the pics, though!