Disabled Kayak Paddler Launch Method for Artificial Hip - Gail E. Ferris
A kayak paddler with an artificial hip cannot sustain any independent motion of his legs during getting in or out of his kayak. Such motion will possibly cause subluxation or displacement of the joint thereby rendering permanent damage to the hip joint.
I have very faithfully utilized the stable tripod method of launching from the beach since my hip was replaced.
I align my kayak parallel with the beach with the hull fully afloat under my full body weight.
I place the paddle behind me across the lip of the cockpit on the stern deck.
With my arms me I sit on the paddle shaft firmly grasping the paddle shaft and the stern cockpit lip simultaneously.
During this potentially unstable moment I stabilize my kayak as I am sitting on top of the kayak deck by leaning my body on the paddle shaft toward the beach. My kayak paddle is solidly resting on the beach throughout this launching period.
The paddle shaft must be strong enough to support my body weight.
I pick up my outside the beach or waterside leg, slide my leg into the cockpit and fully extend my leg.
The important reason as to why at this point I extend my leg straight out before me inside the cockpit is to maximize my stability by keeping my center of gravity as low as possible. Next I lift up my other leg, which has been outside the cockpit and slide my leg into the cockpit.
As I am maintaining my lean onto my paddle shaft toward the beach I extend my second leg out fully in front of me into the cockpit while I still sitting on the stern deck.
With my arms still behind me I slide my body down into the seat and bring my paddle forward in front of me ready to paddle.
This method can be altered for launching from rocks and docks. The most important aspect of this launching method is that my legs have to be inserted into the cockpit with no independent twisting of my legs during launching.
When I had my hip replaced the surgeon told me that the most dangerous activity I could engage in would be to paddle a kayak. Lars Jensen a Greenlander also has an artificial hip yet he goes out hunting Narwhal in his kayak. He uses this same launching technique.
I had a situation where the only place I could make a landing was on rocks in large swells. I had to disembark I found one of my legs caught in the cockpit. I allowed myself to fall into the water. From the water I was able to free my entangled foot and rescue myself.
11/13/04
