you miss your roll. I'm always a wee bit suprised at the lack of emphasis on rolling, although the eskimo rescue is noted here :-) Rolling is considered a lower intermediate skill in whitewater paddling and seems even more important in sea kayaking where the nearest friendly shore may be a long swim away, if reachable at all by swimming. Rolling will be faster, keep you warmer and drier, and keeps more water out of your kayak if your skirt stays sealed. And if it works! Backup plans are always good. While holding the paddle against the cockpit may work for some, others won't be able to do a PF rescue with the paddle under bungies without a stirrup to step in. A rope or webbing sling can be used around the cockpit rim or paddle shaft to anchor it. The latest SeaKayaker mag has a good article on stirrups, also see some of the SK instructional books. Make sure your sling won't sink if you drop it! If your kayak has a high arch or peak behind the seat, the bungies as shown in Chip's photo will be hard to rig to hold the paddle steady and also allow the paddle to be stuffed under them without struggling. I have read that some people use rope and a cleat or an adjustable strap (that can be tightened after the paddle is inserted) to "close the X" on the port and starboard sides. Haven't tried them myself yet.

: As you said earlier, a pull up on someone else's kayak, or an assisted rescue
: is much, much faster and easier than any paddlefloat rescue, bungees or
: not. Your partner can brace your boat while you're pumping, and you're way
: more stable-- even in big waves--than you ever would be with just the
: paddlefloat.

: You can also have two people pumping which (duh!) cuts your pumping time in
: half.

: Shawn

: Randy wrote earlier: