Re: [Paddlewise] winter paddling

On Feb 20, 11:08, Mark Zen wrote:
> example: 
> one man, in a swimsuit, put on a drysuit over it
> second man, in a swimsuit, put on a wetsuit over it
> they paddle out 1/2 mile, the water is 40oF [8oC?]
> all other things equal, they lose thir boat. who
> stands the best chance of survival??

OK.  I'm at best a novice paddler, but used to sail
small sailboats in winter and am an active SCUBA
diver (though not much cold water activity).  I'll
assume that "survival" means doing the 1/2 mile
(1 km) swim back to shore.

Just saying "wetsuit" and "drysuit" doesn't provide
enough information.  There's a tremendous insulation
(and flotation) difference between 2mm and 7mm
wetsuits; there are corresponding differences between
shell, neoprene, and compressed neoprene drysuits.
However the neoprene drysuits are generally only used
by divers, so I'll assume a shell type drysuit.
Further, I'll stipulate a 5mm wetsuit.  That's thin
enough that you can still have reasonable motion
(divers generally move slowly underwater and commonly
use up to 7mm suits), but thick enough to provide
reasonable insulation in the case of immersion.

You've stipulated the subject has no insulating layer
other than their outer layer.  While that's normal for
a wetsuit, it isn't for a drysuit.  In the absence of
that layer, the shell drysuit isn't going to provide
much thermal protection in the case of immersion.  As
stated, the wetsuit swimmer is probably better off.

Now, if our drysuit paddler is wearing some fleece
underwear, or if the wetsuit is a 2mm splash suit
with lycra side panels, this conclusion could change.

Either wet- or dry- suits, selected and worn
appropriately, could provide survival in this
situation.

If I *knew* I would be taking a half mile swim in 40F
water, I'd select a drysuit with appropriate
underwear.  That combination could keep me comfortable
for hours.  On the other hand, I've worn 1/4" (6mm)
wetsuits in water well under 40F (winter ocean dives
off Massachusetts) and been safe and reasonably
comfortable for an hour or two in the water.  Oh yes,
we'd swim a lot further than a 1/2 mile in that time,
but with fins.

	mike


-- 
Mike Fischbein                    mike.fischbein_at_csfb.com
Credit Suisse First Boston,  11  Madison Avenue,  NY,  NY
Any opinions expressed are mine only, and not necessarily
those of any other entity.     They may not even be mine.

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