evaluating a "back-up recovery roll aid"

[briansauer]

I was just wondering if this product might be safe for use in a whitewater kayak if you fastened it to the deck with Velcro or something. Any comments?
Here's the link:

http://www.paddling.net/guidelines/showArticle.html?460" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks for your input.

[Fish]

Nah, don't waste your time with that thing. What you need are some sponsons!

:twisted:

[RomanLA]

Nah...someone would use hand of god, before you ever got it deployed. I honestly don't think it's that useful for a sea kayak either. :)

[waterhog]

thats sweet if you dont know how to roll

[mgood]

Save the money and learn how to roll, off-sides roll, handroll. Putting it off just gives you a crutch to fall back on whenever you swim- "If only my roll was better..." Not to mention that you could immediately ruin your day, and just as important, your paddling buddies' day as well. Stuff like this is no substitute for hours of rolling experience.

[rickyrod]

Great now everyone knows my secret. up till now noone has noticed that this lil devise is the only way I have been able to keep up with the rest of you super river ninjas.Tarter sauce!

[Cowper]

I was just wondering if this product might be safe for use in a whitewater kayak if you fastened it to the deck with Velcro or something. Any comments?

OK, you deserve at least one long answer, so I guess I'm up to bat:

I can almost see it as an alternative to a paddle float for sea kayakers, but I think for WW it might actually work against you on safety.

I think your highest risk of injury comes while upside down, but still in your boat. If you use this device as a "back-up" for missed paddle rolls, then you might spend more time in exposed positions before punching out for a traditional swimming self-rescue.

On easier rivers, the swim doesn't really have a high risk of injury. But staying upside down longer does increase your risk somewhat. If you miss your roll on an easier river, you're probably doing something wrong, like lifting your head. If you're doing that, you might even have some trouble getting up with the bag.

On harder rivers, that risk of injury for extra time upside down is going up exponentially. If you miss your roll and miss the follow-up attempt(s), you don't need to stay upside down even longer messing around with deploying this bag. Get out of the boat, get your head above water and figure out which direction to swim to get to a safe place. Don't take a chance by staying in the boat long enough to go over a drop, or into an undercut or strainer, while still upside down.

Now for lakes, bring on those sponsons!