I recently required rescuing only 3 km off shore.

I went out solo paddling to an offshore island as a training exercise. The winds weren’t forecast to be very strong – under 15 knots. Tide was falling and I had no unusual concerns. The island lay 8km offshore but I only planned to go part of the way and turn around. I had my ACR ResQLink 400 strapped to my life vest as usual, and my mobile phone, had told a friend what I was doing and off I went.

The whole exercise should have only been 2 hours.

The wind came up when I was about 3/4 of the way and I turned around to headed back. The waves dropped off and I was happily heading home singing some songs. The water was a bit messy with smaller waves bouncing off the coast in the opposite direction of the small swell.

Suddenly, my kayak pitched to the side and out I went. I have been practicing rolling but wasn’t quick enough to respond. I wasn’t too worried, swam to the bow and, with a bit of effort, tipped the water out, righted my kayak and managed to get on the deck.

However, I hadn’t practiced self rescue (I realize in hindsight now) and kept toppling back in the water when I tried butting both legs in the cockpit. I wasn’t drifting fast as it was on a neap tide and so wasn’t too concerned. After a few attempts – which were quite exertive – I realized I needed help. I was pretty disappointed in myself. I was in the water with my elbow in the cockpit filled with water when I rang emergency services.

Unfortunately, it was a nationwide call and the operator was unfamiliar with the location and was asking what seemed to me irrelevant questions. I tried to explain my circumstances but she was asking questions like “what’s your nearest street” and “what suburb do you live in”. When she suggested I swim to shore I said “don’t worry about it” and hung up. I managed to get on my deck once more and rang my friend who knew I was out on the water and asked him to call emergency and get me help.

It was then that I saw a large fin glide through the water near my bow that I decided I was not going to attempt another re-entry. Enough splashing around!

Now, in a panic, I quickly flipped the aerial loose and pushed the rescue button on my ACR ResQlink 400. I lay down and waited. There was a bit of confusion with rescue because I’d rung Emergency and also Marine safety had my GPS. My son called me next as he was on my list of contacts and I assured him I was ok and waiting for rescue. I was contacted by the local police and surf lifesaving and they got a surf ski out to locate me. I feel like I was hasty in pressing the button on my PLB when I had mobile reception but I now have the confidence of how well it works.

Emergency services assured me I did everything right. I had registered my PLB with Marine Safety, with my current details including my contacts and my phone number. Also, I didn’t wait until I was really exhausted or in trouble before calling for help. At the end of the day only my pride was hurt. I’m now practicing my self-rescues and assisted rescues.

The experience made me realize how quickly things can go pear-shaped. Thankfully we live in a time when help is not far away. Unfortunately, the PLB’s aerial snapped off on the fast boat ride back to land as I didn’t clip it safely back in place.