Your Thoughts?

[jorluivil]

Although this all started as a joke it became a eye opener the second that I was unable to swim faster than the kayak was drifting.

• Do I drop the paddle?
• should I take off my PFD so that I can swim faster?
• Should I hail the USCG(I'm not sure how many of you noticed but my VHF was clipped to my PFD)?
• should I strip the layers of clothing that are weighing me down?

I can't imagine what the end result could have been if I was alone. Fortunately, this all ended well but it was only because Matt was near me and rest assured I would have never tried this if I was alone in open water.

[Old Man in the Sea]

) yes forget the paddle - IMMEDIATELY use your arms in a fast crawl stroke back to the kayak - you waited too long.
2) no never/ever take off your pfd it will keep you floating and it has the vhf.
3) yes if you don't catch your kayak
4) in your clothing case yes if #1 fails immediately - kick off those shoes - arch to heel and push - then grab your butt and pull those pants past your knees and kick them off - swim back with full power using arms and kicking...
5) You must use a long teather tied around your waist and the other end to Tony's swim step if you want to try it alone...