If you have capsized your kayak, there are a number of different rescue techniques you can use. What they all have in common is that you should practice using them so that you know what to do and what you are capable of if a real emergency arises. If you have capsized, you should first assess whether you can get to shore without much difficulty. If you can touch the bottom or are standing on land, you can easily solve the problem. If you cannot do this, you can use one of the rescue techniques described below.

Roll

The type of self-rescue that most people have heard of is the Eskimo roll, or as it is more commonly called, the roll. It is spectacular and fun to master but requires a lot of practice. The Inuit of Greenland, often called Eskimos, used it to survive capsizing without falling out of the kayak, as this was life-threatening due to the ice-cold water. Their kayaks have a very small cockpit custom-made for the user with very little gap between the cockpit rim and the paddler's body to prevent water intrusion. With a sweeping semicircular motion from bow to stern, preferably with the paddle over the water surface, while bending your upper body sharply backward as close to and parallel with the kayak's rear deck as possible, you can quickly return to the starting position without exiting the kayak. It is mostly a technique maneuver without requiring particularly much force. But it must be well practiced and second nature if you are to rely on it.

Using a paddle float

A significantly simpler variant of self-rescue technique is to use a so-called paddle float. It is an inflatable bladder that you can keep on the rear deck, easily attached to the deck lines so that you can easily release it after a capsize. It can be pre-inflated or inflated when needed. After capsizing, while floating beside the kayak, you right the kayak and release the float. Once inflated, slide it over one paddle blade. Insert the other end of the paddle under the deck lines on the rear deck just behind the cockpit. The paddle then extends at a right angle from the righted kayak with the float resting on the water. You have now created an outrigger canoe. Slide/clamber up on your stomach between the paddle and the kayak so that you get up on the rear deck with your upper body facing the stern and your body weight slightly out toward the outrigger. Otherwise, you easily capsize to the other side. Insert your feet and legs into the cockpit and twist yourself around and down to the correct position in the cockpit. Pump out the water from the cockpit using a pump or bailer that you should have readily accessible. If there are several of you, a companion with their kayak can stabilize the setup by lying on the opposite side of your kayak and bracing against your cockpit. A paddle float can also be used when practicing the Eskimo roll. The float is then placed on your paddle, which thereby gains extra lift. Some kayaks have fittings on the sides for attaching so-called Seawings. These are elongated floats that are attached behind the cockpit next to the kayak's hull, providing increased stability. Most kayaks, however, lack this option.

Assisted rescue

When several paddlers help each other after someone capsizes, the simplest variant of rescue maneuver is the so-called assisted rescue, which in turn can be performed in different variations. In its simplest form, where you as the paddler have fallen out of the kayak, a companion comes to the rescue and together you right the capsized kayak while trying to drain as much water as possible when it is turned upright. The companion places their kayak close alongside and parallel but with their bow facing the stern of the capsized kayak. They lean over the empty kayak's cockpit and take a firm grip with both hands on the front edge of the cockpit. Together, the kayaks then form a kind of raft that is stable and does not capsize easily. You heave yourself up from the water on your stomach on the opposite side of the kayak with your head toward the stern and your weight toward the companion's kayak. Lying on the rear deck, you insert your feet and legs into your cockpit, slide down with your body while twisting into the correct position. The remaining water in the cockpit is pumped or bailed out while the companion still holds your kayak. If there are more kayaks, others can join the raft to increase stability.

Assisted rescue comes in several variants, e.g., where the companion pulls the capsized kayak upside down over the foredeck of their own kayak to thereby drain the capsized kayak of water. Then the capsized kayak is placed alongside the companion's and you cross over their foredeck and climb into your kayak. This is more complicated than the simple variant and requires a lot of practice. An advantage can be that the capsized kayak is quickly drained of water.

(Assisted rescue)

T-rescue

A technique that requires joint practice in advance and must be performed quickly is the T-rescue. If you have capsized, you remain in the kayak upside down and alert your companion that you want to perform a T-rescue in cooperation with them by banging on your hull or giving another agreed-upon signal. Provided that the companion is nearby and can quickly notice your situation, they place their kayak at a right angle to the middle of your kayak with the bow tight against it. You yourself search for and grab the companion's bow and heave yourself up into the correct position. Keep hold of the bow until you have good balance so that you do not spin over to the other side, which is easily done. The advantage of this technique is that it is fast -- you have to hold your breath underwater -- and that you do not need to leave the kayak but can calmly continue paddling. But the maneuver must be quick, you must have practiced together, and in rough seas it is easy to get injured and perhaps difficult to get close enough to each other.

(Erik demonstrates the T-rescue)

Towing

When towing, the capsized kayak is first righted and a line is attached to its bow. This can be prepared by having everyone in the group carry a coiled floating line attached to the bow of their respective kayaks. The person towing attaches the line around their body (or to a hook or line centrally and close to them), but in such a way that the line can easily be released. The person in the water holds on to the stern of their kayak and the entire setup is towed to shore or calm water. It is important that the line can easily be disconnected and that it floats so it can be easily retrieved.

The paddle should be secured to the kayak

If you capsize, it is easy for your paddle to float away and become difficult to retrieve. Secure your paddle with a leash fitted with a carabiner to the kayak's deck lines on the foredeck. It can also be a good idea to bring a spare paddle in case someone loses theirs or it simply breaks and cannot be used. Without a paddle, you are very exposed to weather and wind.