Safety & Rescue Book

April-May 2003

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by Bryan Nichols

Sea Kayaking Safety & Rescue by John Lull. Wilderness Press, 2001. 268 pages, $16.95 US ISBN 0-89997-274-8 www.wildernesspress.com

Does being in a little boat on a big ocean make you nervous sometimes? Despite what the brochures show, things can get interesting fast in most of the places we love to paddle. A good sea kayak is seaworthy - if the paddler inside has bracing and rescue skills. But you should know how to avoid conditions that are beyond your skill level.

John Lull's Sea Kayaking Safety & Rescue will teach you how to expand your skill level, making you safer and more independent in the process. You might also find that some of the surf, currents and winds that once alarmed you are now a source of fun and exhilaration.

John Lull has kayaked the west coast from Baja to BC for roughly two decades. He's an Instructor/Trainer/Educator for the ACA as well as a Tsunami Ranger Commander. This is an excellent combination - not only has he "lived" the techniques in the book, he has also had practice effectively teaching them. His writing style is clean and sober, neither overly dramatizing nor glossing over the risks involved in difficult ocean conditions.

THE GOOD STUFF

The book isn't just "how to avoid trouble", "how to roll" or "how Jane can rescue Dick". It does cover rescues, of course, both self and assisted, concentrating on the ones that work best in the sort of conditions you're likely to need them. However, it also covers things like backup strategies, towing, sea conditions, currents, boat traffic, rock gardens, surf, risk assessment and group safety. Dividing up the ocean into a system of domains, there is relevant safety information for everyone from the novice in a bay to a team of thrill seekers on an exposed coast - and advice on how to proceed safely from one to the other.

NITTY GRITTY

A substantial 23 x 19 cm and 268 pages, there are black and white photos and occasional diagrams throughout with 16 chapters followed by a decent resource list, index and glossary. I have only two quick quibbles. First, why such wide margins? Somebody is overly fond of white space. Second, while black and white photos are sufficient and keep the price down, this book would benefit greatly from more diagrams. Fill in that white space with more illustrations.

TAKE IT HOME?

Absolutely. Everyone but the most casual bay paddler needs to at least consider the information in this book - not only will it make you a wiser paddler, it will encourage you to get out there and push your skills to the next level. Have you ever really committed to a brace? How often do you practice rescues with your paddlemates? When was the last time you dumped and got back in yourself? Do you only practice in calm, flat conditions?

If you're feeling guilty about any of these questions (and you know you should be), then this book is a cheap investment in your safety and the safety of the folks you paddle with. You'll enjoy learning from it, it will inspire you to practise, and you'll keep referring back as you progress.

Sea Kayaking Safety & Rescue by John Lull. Wilderness Press, 2001. 268 pages, $16.95 US ISBN 0-89997-274-8 www.wildernesspress.com

© Bryan Nichols is a biologist and WaveLength columnist, now studying journalism in Florida.