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The "Self Rescue" is a method getting back into a packraft after falling out.  In kayaking terminology, it's also called a wet re-entry.

The ability to exit and quickly re-enter a packraft on the water is one of the more unique qualities of a packraft.  .  We'll show the self-rescue at slower speed now:

Pointing out some details:

• Andrew is using his PFD for temporary flotation.
• After flipping, a raft is likely to be upside down.  Although you can scramble on top of an upside down packraft, flipping it right-side up is preferable and much easier to do from the end of the boat.
• Grab handles can be very useful for getting a good grip on the boat.  Some boaters prefer extensive grab handles, others prefer a more clean boat to avoid the possibility of entanglement.  Rigging varies with personal preference & boating environment.
• Andrew's technique of holding his paddle between his knees is most effective in deep or still water.  In the videos, he's seen doing this on the slow self-rescue but not the hasty self-rescue, where he retains the paddle in his hand the entire time.
• Whitewater (and swift water in general) presents a number of different hazards and complexities not covered on this page.  We recommend seeking the guidance of experienced whitewater paddlers to develop full whitewater techniques and awareness.

Does it work with a pack on the bow?  Yes, up to a point, but it becomes more difficult.  A good self-rescue-with-pack video is on our long term to-do list.  Generally speaking, a pack will make it progressively harder to flip the boat, up to a point where the weight of the pack will hold the raft upside down and bow-down/stern-up in the water.  It requires then more complex techniques to get the boat upright and get back in it.

In many cases, we find it's often effective to release the pack from the boats.  For this purpose we usually have a back-up tether on our pack.  This lets the pack hang from the boat on a 12" - 24" line, where it acts as a sea anchor but allows us to right the boat & climb back in.  Then we'll hoist the pack aboard and re-secure it.  Obviously, this is a calm-water / open-water technique.

Any tips on handling the boat from the water?  Practice is the best way to learn this.  This video shows some basics: