Re: [Paddlewise] Emergency & Other Gear Storage

At 03:54 PM 3/2/98 -0500, you wrote:

>1.  What is considered a minimum list of items (safety and otherwise) that
>one should carry on their person to be a safe paddler considering the
>"on-person" storage opportunities?
>
>2.   We could add to the above list the"on-boat" equipment that you don't
>expect to carry on your person but it's good to have this aboard.
>
>And now the question I really want to ask......
>
>3.   What equipment and methods have people dreamed-up to extend their
>"on-person" storage capabilities.  For example, I would like to attach a
>brightly colored, highly reflective pocket to the back of my PFD to provide
>additional storage.  Anybody done this?  Naturally, it's not a place to
>keep heavy stuff but it has the potential for increasing the amount of
>safety (and other) gear you can take with you.
>
>I've always been disappointed with the lack of storage space on most PFDs.
>I really think this is an area for equipment improvement.
>
>I hope that others will comment on solutions they have come up with for
>this issue.
>
>Bill Leonhardt

In/on my PFD (Extrasport) I have two fair sized mesh pockets: Three flares
in the plastic packaging. A signal mirror, a compass, a 360 degree white
flashlight/signal light, waterproof matches, a VHF radio on a lanyard in a
waterproof Aquapac.

        A whistle attached to the zipper pull. A Gerber "River Shorty" on
the arm loop, along with an analog watch (can be used as a compass), a
strobe light on the other arm loop. Some days I toss in a Snickers bar
because they're foil/mylar wrapped and water proof --you'll last longer in
cold water with some energy source. 

        The real lifesaver might be the neoprene/polypro helmet style
headgear with the chin strap. I'm assuming cold water paddling with booties
and a wet suit. A decent head covering will help body heat retention. About
80% to 90% of your body heat can be lost through the head. I wear gloves.
Pogies get carried away with the paddle. 

        Some PFD's have a  belt, and I've seen caribeeners attached for tow
lines. 

        I carry my medical info and ID in a plastic bag stuffed in the
neoprene pocket of the spray skirt (which I expect will come along if I jump
ship). 
        
        The waterproof map case is on the deck in front of me, and I'd try
to grab it if I was going to get separated from the boat. But most of the
time I have a clear idea of my location and can signal to rescuers with a
VHF radio, a strobe, signal mirror, flares or a white light. 

        USCG recommends having a 360 degree white light. A strobe can be
seen from more distance, but it's difficult to estimate the range on a
flashing light. A steady beam allows rescue vessels to get a fix on your
position even in heavy seas. 

        Although not approved by the USCG, the signal mirror is reported by
pilots to be the most effective signal device on the water. The blade of
your knife can be used as a signal mirror. Hold the reflector near your eyes
and find the reflection on your outstretched hand. . . point your hand at
the plane or boat and pass the reflection across your hand. Stop once the
boat or plane has you spotted and approaches, otherwise you'll blind the pilot. 

        About that analog watch doubling as a compass: Point the hour hand
at the sun and  mid-point between the hour hand and 12:00 is due south.
Adjust for Daylight Savings! Each minute on the watch face equals 6 degrees.
(The stuff they teach you in the Army in Alaska!) 

        More pockets? My spray skirt has a pocket. My dry top has a large
pocket. Much beyond that there's fanny packs, but the only other rescue item
I can think of would be a life raft. . . maybe a space blanket, but the wet
suit should keep you pretty warm on land. 

        Geo. 

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