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Bruce,

   I have a Frenzy kayak that I have used a few times to get off shore or
around the head of a jetty on single tank scuba.    I usually tether it on an
1/8" line on a reel to depths of 60 feet so far with no problems - it pulls as
easily as a float & flag even in a rough sea.    My reel (hand made by me)
locks solidly so I can clip it off to a belt if I need both hands.
   I would not trust any anchoring system since this thing will be more
influenced by the wind than the currents and if you have to chase it down
while you are moving with the current and it is moving off on the wind it
could be much like trying to catch a beach ball that some bathing beauty's
little brother has lost off the beach.    An anchor that is guaranteed to hold
it is too big to deal with and you are bound to bang and gouge body parts up
on it, but if you must use one get a real small danforth and plant it well
upon descent with plenty of scope and a couple of feet of chain.   Don't let
it slide off onto another diver's head !
   I have not been in a position where any special precautions as far as being
rescued goes were warranted but it would not be a bad idea under certain
circumstances to be prepared as you would for being stranded during an off
shore wreck dive.    Get a good cordura back pack or pouch that you can strap
"and attach" to the kayak and load it with everything from snacks & water to
flares and an epirb if you like.   Space and weight will be little or no
problem.    Keep in mind that if you are unable to climb on and paddle back it
will probably be because the weather has kicked up or you are injured - plan
accordingly.
    There is virtually no chance of this thing sinking but getting back on one
takes a little practice.   I usually take my rig (and sometimes the weight
belt) off and get it onto the stern slot and strap it down first; then, with
fins still on,  place your hands as far inboard as you can reach and simply
swim up onto it from the side as you pull it under you so that your weight
comes down on the center line.    Trail about 6 feet of floating line behind
the kayak in case you want to tie your rig or other gear off.   
I have used mine in a shipping channel with 6 foot swells and a chop on top of
that with no problems getting back on or handling everything.    Be prepared
to flip it the first couple of times and practice in a safe area before you
head for the wilderness.   

    These things are a great way to avoid long swims off shore to sites such
as the reef lines off South Florida, along the inaccessible rocky coasts of
California, or to get into places that are tight or risky for a boat.   You
can carry lots of supplies with you, they provide a nice work platform, and
you can get out of the water if you need or want to.    They paddle easily,
track fairly straight, are very stable, and fun between dives to boot.  

    The hardest thing I found was getting a dive flag attached to this thing
so it will stay up.    What I did was run a fiberglass poll through a rubber
stopper and stick it into one of the drain holes.    Works pretty well.
Without this flag every boat that sees it will think it is abandoned and try
to come pick it up.    With the flag only the 80% of boaters who have no idea
what a dive flag is will try to get it.

    I don't think a kayak would serve as a very good rescue towing device for
a disabled diver because of the difficulty of getting him onto it so don't
think along this line of application.   If there is the possibility of having
to tow a stricken dive partner back for a long distance you will probably have
to stay in the water with him and tow the kayak but the kayak will at least
serve as a resting platform for you and a place to get rid of heavy or
cumbersome gear for the long haul.   If he is up to it you could tow him in
his BCD with the kayak .

    I haven't done any free diving from it but it has to be even easier than
with scuba.

    If you will be strapping this thing to the top of a car or van you will
find that they are very slippery under the straps.   Some kind of rubbery
grabby material will be best for the straps and bars (bicycle inner tube over
nylon straps may work).   I made a tough fabric case for mine because the sun
will really eat this plastic material for lunch in short order and it will
spend a lot of time in the elements on a vacation.   

    Kids and wives love these "little boats" so be prepared to share it !
Big husky guys like them too but they will rarely ask for a ride. 

Hope this helps, and have fun,

Chuck Boone

    
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