Towing the Safety Line

December 1998 - January 1999

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.

by Sue Handel, Ken Andrews and Nikki Rekman

Carrying proper rescue and safety equipment while kayaking is a must, like wearing your seatbelt in the car. Hopefully you won't need it, but it's there if you do. Carrying safety equipment is even more crucial during the colder winter months when the elements are less forgiving and a bad situation can quickly become much worse.

But don't let these gloomy warnings deter you from picking a calm day and getting out on the water. Kayaking in the winter can be wonderful. Just prepare yourself by carrying essential rescue and safety equipment that you know how to use.

We recommend carrying the following equipment at any time of year, and all the more so in winter: PFD, Tow Line, Spare Paddle, Paddle Float, Pump or Bailer, Charts, Compass, Tide charts, Flare Pack, Air horn, First Aid Kit, Extra Clothing, Weather Radio, Wetsuit/Drysuit, Repair Kit (duct tape, screwdriver, spare parts, etc), Knife, Whistle, Waterproof Flashlight, Spare Batteries, Fire Starter,Waterproof Matches, Drinking Water, Extra Food, Hat, Sunglasses, Spray Cover ..and paddling partner!

Winter is the time of year when kayakers should be extra conscious of planning ahead. A simple thing like taking along a waterproof flashlight or headlamp can be a real life saver when you find yourself paddling in complete darkness at 5'clock in the afternoon! During winter months, try to paddle earlier in the day and be off the water by dusk. Paddling in familiar waters will help you gauge how far you can go and still make it back before dark.

We also recommend the practice of paddling with a partner, especially in the winter. There is great solace in being able to count on a fellow paddler in emergency situations. For example one paddler can tow another injured or tired paddler back to safety.

When is the right time to set up a tow? Many of us have used tow lines to secure our boats to shore at night, but what about actually using it to assist a paddler back to safety?

Next time you're on the water, try setting up a practice tow to find out what works and what doesn't. What you'll realize very quickly is that towing someone is very tiring. So towing should be used only as a last resort. If someone in your group is lagging behind due to tendonitis, one option is to slow the rest of the group down to the speed of the slowest paddler, rather than towing to keep up with the faster paddler. Other alternatives to towing include moving an injured or sick paddler out of a single kayak and into the front of a double.

If someone in your group has capsized, towing them may be necessary if they are seriously injured or in shock. However the act of paddling back to shore will actually help to warm them up, and should be factored into the "to tow or not to tow" decision.

If you decide that a tow is the best option, everyone involved will appreciate being able to hook up and go as soon as possible. Guides or group leaders might consider setting up a tow system on their boats before launching and leave it there for the duration of the paddle

Keep in mind that tows should be disassembled before landing, especially in surf. Waves will generally push a boat to shore, even with minimal effort from the paddler. If a paddler on tow is unsafe to attempt a solo surf landing (due to physical injury, state of mind, etc), one option is to have them get out of their boat and body-surf in to shore. The ability to find creative solutions to tough situations is an important quality for those in leadership positions. Solutions to this and other emergency situations will depend on factors such as the weather, the time of day, the season and the number and condition of paddlers in your group.

If you are considering adding a tow line to your repertoire of rescue equipment, there are a number of different models available on the market. Nikki Rekman of North Water Rescue and Paddling Equipment helped us out by suggesting some features to look for. She told us that tow lines come as either waist-held or coaming-held, which means that they attach to your partner's boat at one end, and to either you or your boat at the other. Like much of the gear available to kayakers, choosing one or the other is largely a matter of personal preference. However, there are specific purposes for both.

For long distance tows, Nikki recommends the coaming model, as the pressure is around the cockpit coaming rather than around the waist of the tower. "I find it more comfortable than the traditional waist held models and a lot easier to 're-stiff' because the entire system fits in a small throwbag." For shorter tows, the waistheld works great. Other features to look for are a quick release throwbag for safety, lines with adjustable lengths, and coaming fit that can be adjusted for any size cockpit.

Guides and instructors will be interested to know that in the spring of 1999, North Water is coming out with a short, waist-held towline (20'). That means even quicker tows with this light-weight, streamlined towline that is easy to stuff into the throwbag.

Find out more about North Water's products