Kayaker Rescued Bellarine Peninsula

[Yako]

62 year old bloke rescued today from the bay. Thank goodness Coastguard was still going.
http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/new ... 63d14e17fb

Bloke couldn't get back into his yak.

[Yako]

This is not good. So he had a pfd but was really lucky someone found him.
No PLB, No flares. No VHF handheld (Torch???) - What was he thinking?????
Rhino may know more about this. Sounds darn stupid to me - deserves a fine.

[maverick]

Inflatable PFD's are more comfortable (possibly) but getting back into a kayak can be harder. The issue still remains you then need to get around with an inflated PFD and get back to shore.

Lucky result, lucky. Hypothermia couldn't have been far away.

[shane]

PLB flares etc aren't a requirement as it was inshore. Lights or a waterproof torch as a minimum would have helped him get rescued sooner.

What I can't understand is that this apparently happened 50m off shore. Why didn't he just swim the yak in. Easier than climbing aboard with an inflated pfd1.

[laneends]

PLB flares etc aren't a requirement as it was inshore. Lights or a waterproof torch as a minimum would have helped him get rescued sooner.

What I can't understand is that this apparently happened 50m off shore. Why didn't he just swim the yak in. Easier than climbing aboard with an inflated pfd1.

Hope the answer isn't that he cant swim

[Tim399]

Listening to k rock while working out that way yesterday they said he was 500m off the shore, mayber the advertiser had a typo? They did say he called out to walkers on the beach who raised the alarm so im not sure?

[Yako]

PLB flares etc aren't a requirement as it was inshore. Lights or a waterproof torch as a minimum would have helped him get rescued sooner.

What I can't understand is that this apparently happened 50m off shore. Why didn't he just swim the yak in. Easier than climbing aboard with an inflated pfd1.

I know it's not a requirement. Personally I always (so far) as a minimum take torch, vhf, phone in pouch & if alone a plb & flares(even in daylight). Although I generally now keep my plb stuck to my pfd (doesn't bother me or get in the way so far)

[Hammertime]

If that was me and I couldn't get back on the yak and I was 500m out, I'd get on my back, leave the yak and start kicking my way to shore. 500m kick only would probably take me about 20 minutes..... the physical exertion would also help with keeping warm. That said I'm not 62

[Smish]

If that was me and I couldn't get back on the yak and I was 500m out, I'd get on my back, leave the yak and start kicking my way to shore. 500m kick only would probably take me about 20 minutes..... the physical exertion would also help with keeping warm. That said I'm not 62

A quote from a website on hypothermia...

"Remain Still And In Place (Don’t Swim Unless The Shore Is Nearby)

The body will actually lose heat faster if you’re exerting energy. Unless the shore, another boat, or another person are nearby, stay still and try to keep as much of your body out of the water as possible. Most people would not be able to swim a mile in water as cold as 50 degrees. Dunking your head underwater will speed up the hypothermia process.

The Heat Escape Lessening Posture (H.E.L.P.) is a good position that can help conserve energy if you’re wearing a personal flotation device — holding your arms against your sides and across your chest, and hugging your knees to your chest, will help maintain body heat for some time."

[Hvalross]

If that was me and I couldn't get back on the yak and I was 500m out, I'd get on my back, leave the yak and start kicking my way to shore. 500m kick only would probably take me about 20 minutes..... the physical exertion would also help with keeping warm. That said I'm not 62

A quote from a website on hypothermia...

"Remain Still And In Place (Don’t Swim Unless The Shore Is Nearby)

The body will actually lose heat faster if you’re exerting energy. Unless the shore, another boat, or another person are nearby, stay still and try to keep as much of your body out of the water as possible. Most people would not be able to swim a mile in water as cold as 50 degrees. Dunking your head underwater will speed up the hypothermia process.

The Heat Escape Lessening Posture (H.E.L.P.) is a good position that can help conserve energy if you’re wearing a personal flotation device — holding your arms against your sides and across your chest, and hugging your knees to your chest, will help maintain body heat for some time."

Good post for this topic