One of the reasons we were there is a few weeks back now, my paddling partner and I took a wipeout in a narrow rocky gut (inlet). Major set of breaking swell came out of nowhere, and kept coming. Luckily we'd reversed into the gut, so as swell began breaking on us I was able to power out. My partner wasn't so lucky and swam inside there (or got sucked out of his boat moreso).
I had to wait outside the swell for about 4/5 mins before I could paddle back inside. Over those few mins things were looking a bit grim for him, so touched base with the local coast guard. Fair play to them; within minutes the lifeboat and helicopter were launched.
Anyway after about 4 mins I was able to paddle back inside, and swim-tow my partner out of the danger zone; abandoning his kayak. Got him onto the cliffs and he scrambled up to safety. At that point the main coast guard stood down. That day continued too rough to safely retrieve the sea kayak, despite abseiling part way down from above; at which point the kayak was totally twisted and folded, with blown hatches 🙁
So we were back looking for it the past two days. No joy though - I'll need to ask CH Marine Kayaks & Watersports and P&H Sea Kayaks nicely for another boat 🙂
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In terms of emergency communication these three items are great; mobile phone in a waterproof case, vhf radio and an emergency beacon (plb). The vhf and beacon can be got from the likes of CH Marine, Darrens Kayaks, Great Outdoors
I should mention that with work, we would never get into situations where students/clients are in proper danger. That's not good. However with personal paddling or personal climbing we do push things a little from time to time - it keeps our skill progressing and keeps us sharp! We do consider though, causing hassle for rescue services, or family, if things were to go wrong.
A training course should be done to use a vhf radio - and it's a really good, straightforward, course.
Thank you to Derrynane Inshore Rescue CRBI, Castletownbere RNLI Lifeboat, Castletownbere Coast Guard and Rescue 115
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