The X-rescue is one of the easiest kayak rescue techniques.
If you are going to go kayaking and you’re worried about capsizing the kayak, don’t be too worried. There are several different easy to learn techniques that you can learn in order to make sure that your boat is righted as soon as possible. You should be able to keep yourself save when you are kayaking by learning a few simple rescue techniques. Even if you are not worried so much about capsizing yourself, it is still useful to know the X-rescue technique in case you ever need to help somebody else while on a kayak tour.
The X-rescue is actually considered to be one of the easiest rescue techniques, and it is very straight forward. One of the few things that would be easier than the X-rescue would probably just be to bring the kayak back to shore and empty it out before re-launching. However, you can lose so much time doing that, that it is probably a better idea to learn one of these techniques.
First, you need to paddle up to the capsized kayak. You will want to move up so that your cockpit is right next to the bow of the kayak. Then you need to lift the bow end out of the water and turn the kayak up so that it is righted. You should make sure that the kayaker you are helping always holds onto his or her kayak, otherwise you may lose contact with the person you are trying to rescue. This will make it very hard to get them back into their kayak, and depending on where you are trying to perform the X-rescue, it could actually be very dangerous.
Next, you should roll the kayak onto its side so that the water will drain out. If not enough of the water is draining, then you should roll it completely upside down (but still out of the water) so that it can drain completely.
Then, you should put the kayak back into the water, and try to arrange it so that the stern of the empty kayak swings over close to the bow of your kayak. This is to make it easier for the person that you are helping to get back into their kayak. You can help them by putting the paddles across both cockpits and by leaning most or all of your weight over onto their kayak. This will hold the kayak steady so that they can pull themselves back up into the kayak.
Since pulling yourself into your kayak while out at sea is not easy, everybody should attempt to do it a few times before they go on a kayak tour. That way, if you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to be rescued, then you’ll be able to actually get back into your kayak without needing to be towed to shore first.
