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Flippers for self rescue

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br44
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Re: Flippers for self rescue

Postby br44 » Mon Apr 05, 2021 11:07 pm

I had a couple of swims myself, pretty short distance fortunately, one with a Peak4 5m. I believe the first (main?) hurdle is whether you can pack down the Peak4 really small in deep water. (Bring a stuff sack, etc.) If yes then you have an easy swim, otherwise it can be tough with or without fins. I tried fins once, was not impressed.

I've been meaning to try this idea but have not done so yet. IF you have a floaty board, then I suspect that you could sit on it and paddle to shore -- using a 4-piece kayak paddle carried in a backpack.

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Re: Flippers for self rescue

Postby nherbold » Tue Apr 06, 2021 4:29 pm

Rule number 1: Never go further than you are willing to swim.

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Re: Flippers for self rescue

Postby Greenturtle » Tue Apr 06, 2021 5:59 pm

nherbold wrote:
Tue Apr 06, 2021 4:29 pm
Rule number 1: Never go further than you are willing to swim.
Injured.
Never go further than you are willing to swim - with an INJURY.

Wear some form of flotation. It takes less of an injury than some might think to make it difficult or impossible to keep your head above water.
If you want to take flippers too then by all means take flippers. For me, flotation would be first priority for safety, then flippers as secondary. Probably I will never take flippers though. Interesting topic.

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Re: Flippers for self rescue

Postby nherbold » Tue Apr 06, 2021 7:26 pm

Greenturtle wrote:
Tue Apr 06, 2021 5:59 pm
nherbold wrote:
Tue Apr 06, 2021 4:29 pm
Rule number 1: Never go further than you are willing to swim.
Injured.
Never go further than you are willing to swim - with an INJURY.

Wear some form of flotation. It takes less of an injury than some might think to make it difficult or impossible to keep your head above water.
If you want to take flippers too then by all means take flippers. For me, flotation would be first priority for safety, then flippers as secondary. Probably I will never take flippers though. Interesting topic.
That doesn't really make sense as you can never assess upfront what unexpected injury you might be subjected to in your session. And it also suggests that you should go further than you are willing to swim when you are not injured which is also kinda weird. Then there is gear failure or simply the wind dying...all these things can be the cause of having to swim back to shore so always be aware

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Re: Flippers for self rescue

Postby Greenturtle » Tue Apr 06, 2021 8:42 pm

nherbold wrote:
Tue Apr 06, 2021 7:26 pm
Greenturtle wrote:
Tue Apr 06, 2021 5:59 pm
nherbold wrote:
Tue Apr 06, 2021 4:29 pm
Rule number 1: Never go further than you are willing to swim.
Injured.
Never go further than you are willing to swim - with an INJURY.

Wear some form of flotation. It takes less of an injury than some might think to make it difficult or impossible to keep your head above water.
If you want to take flippers too then by all means take flippers. For me, flotation would be first priority for safety, then flippers as secondary. Probably I will never take flippers though. Interesting topic.
That doesn't really make sense as you can never assess upfront what unexpected injury you might be subjected to in your session. And it also suggests that you should go further than you are willing to swim when you are not injured which is also kinda weird. Then there is gear failure or simply the wind dying...all these things can be the cause of having to swim back to shore so always be aware
Yeah that’s exactly what Im saying really. Be prepared for unexpected injury. Wear flotation.
When judging the distance you go out consider that you may be coming in with a dislocated shoulder or broken ankle etc etc

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Re: Flippers for self rescue

Postby airsail » Wed Apr 07, 2021 8:10 pm

If you pick flotation that incorporates a pocket, it becomes a handy place to store your stuff sack and for me, a waterproof phone. The sack has the kite stuffed into it, then it is dragged behind me as I paddle in. The phone is for calling the local coast guard to tell them I’m fine and not to bother, or for assistance, or the wife to say I will be late home.

The public tend to call the police or coast guard to report a kiter in trouble as soon as you drop your kite so it’s nice to be able to call off any rescue when it’s not required.


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