Archive for the ‘Safety’ Category

Now the first thing we have to do is define whether that thing you wear to stay afloat in the water is called a Life Jacket, Life Vest or PFD (Personal Flotation Device.) Well, no we don’t. You can call it whatever you like. One thing is sure, wearing one, whatever it’s called, gives you a much better chance of survival in the water than simply depending on the fates or rescue by human loving dolphins. Read the rest of this entry »

I can’t possibly add to this….

Tomaz Humar Rescued in 2005.

Alpinest Tomaz Humar made a call Monday by satellite phone and said he was injured while climbing 23,710-feet (7,227-meter) Langtang Lirung, high in the Himalayas. According to news reports heavy snow is making a search difficult.  At the moment the search goes on.  There is an interesting backstory behind Tomaz and his career that is worth a look as well.  In 2005 he was rescued on Nanga Parbat’s infamous Rupal Face by helicopter.  I came across this very interesting article from National Geographic Adventure that tells us more about Tomaz Humar and looks at how “adventure blogging” has effected climbing. Something we often talk about in Sea Kayaking as well.  Let’s hope rescue teams find Tomaz soon.

* Update 11/15/05: It is reported today that Tomaz Humar has passed on.  Our thoughts go out to his family.

Hang on, help is on its way,
I'll be there as fast as I can,
"Hang on", a tiny voice did say,
From somewhere deep inside the inner man.
- the little river band

So here it is direct from the American Canoe Association to you: “The following proposals were submitted, have been approved and all associated documentation on the website has been updated. . .” (Get ready for it….) “Removal of the Paddle-float Rescue from the Level 1: Introduction to Kayaking Instructor Criteria. This change was requested and approved due to the fact the Level 1: Introduction to Kayaking course is conducted in close proximity to shore where more basic rescue self-rescue techniques can be utilized and the type of paddlecraft that can be used in a Level 1: Introduction to Kayaking / QuickStart or SmartStart Kayaking courses may not be suitable for teaching this rescue.”  Comments?

Up until this point I’ve chosen not to comment on the case of missing Wisconsin paddler, Doug Winter.   It’s an interesting case which I’m sure will stir up discussion soon enough if it hasn’t already.  As I’ve said many times, I don’t really keep up with what’s going on at Pnet anymore.  Still, just like anyone else I can’t help but roll the news reports around in my head and ask questions.  Questions I’m sure the police, family and friends have all asked.  I’m sure there are some answers out there.  Some known already by the authorities and some still waiting to be discovered.  One thing I’m feeling is that what I’m reading so far just doesn’t quite feel right.

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You got no place to be / Still you wonder where youre goin
And why I had to leave / I hear a voice and it says to me
Find your way back
– Starship

I won’t re-write the story here.  You can read my full post by clicking here.  Even though it does happen every couple of years around here, it still amazes me that folks can get lost out in the “wilds” of Wisconsin.  For those of us who have spent plenty of time in the outdoor world it seems sort of obvious to be prepared for, and thereby often simply avoid danger.  Yet like all things in the world, we had to learn it from somewhere.  We weren’t just born knowing how to start a fire in the woods for instance.  In sea kayaking or all outdoor activities it’s so important that we don’t become survival snobs.  We have to simply keep sharing our knowledge in hopes that those who need it, will seek it out.  (And those who don’t will just stay on the trails!)

Here’s a video called, “How to do a “T” Rescue While Kayaking”…  Yup, it’s one way and we all have our variations and preferences.  However, it seems to me that the old idea of sending the paddler who’s in the water to the tail of their kayak to “push down” and assist the rescuer is simply a bad idea.  In my myopic little world I thought that bit had passed the way of the Dodo.  Here’s why…

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