[Paddlewise] Re[2]: An old topic revisited

     Re the issues raised on the Thermofloat Sea-Seat: not to beat this 
     thing into the ground, but there is a lot to be said for the improved 
     survival odds provided by small life rafts.  The Navy's standard issue 
     one-person liferaft gives a survivor significantly better protection 
     from hypothermia than a similarly clad survivor in the water.  A 1986 
     Coast Guard study confirms this, and says that they are "... notably 
     successful in reducing the effects of cold-water immersion: for all 
     garment-ensembles, cooling rates were slower and skin temperature 
     declines were smaller for subjects in the raft  than for subjects in 
     the water>"
     
     That's fairly intuitive, but the actual numbers are pretty impressive; 
     it's a <lot> better in the raft, according to the data.  The study 
     goes on to say that one-person rafts were exceptionally stable, and 
     that "... only three out of the approximately 4800 interactions 
     between rafts and waves resulted in rafts capsizing."  The Sea-Seat 
     looks at least as stable as the little seat-pack rafts I used to float 
     around in during flight training, so the stability should be pretty 
     impressive.  Sea-sickness is likely in big water, but it sure beats 
     hypothermia <and> sea-sickness!
     
     Joq


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: RE: [Paddlewise] An old topic revisited
Author:  Rex <rexrob_at_premier1.net> at SPTC
Date:    3/7/98 10:59 AM


Julio wrote:
     
snip
The last issue of Sea Kayaker talks has an evaluation of a life saving 
raft. They still do not get the clue. If the sea is rough, the victim 
would not be able to stay on the raft. 
snip
     
I think this response is getting off the subject that John Winters was concerned
about but I want to respond to Julio's comment that appears to be writing off 
the usefulness of the Thermofloat Sea-Seat which recently received a favorable 
evaluation by Chris Cunningham in the April issue of Sea Kayaker magazine.
     
The purpose of the Sea-Seat is to extend survival time in cold water by slowing 
the process of hypothermia.  Water conducts heat away from the body 27 times 
faster than air.  Even if conditions were too rough to spend all of your time up
on the raft your survival time will be increased if you can spend some of  the 
time on the raft or if you can use the raft to keep your upper-body out of the 
water.
     
The raft has a line on it that clips to your PFD so you will be able to stay 
with the raft in rough water.  In it's stored condition it is small enough that 
you can keep it on your person when not in use so you are sure to have it if you
need it.  It has a oral inflation tube and can be inflated in 1 3/4 to 2 1/2 
minutes.
     
Loss of consciousness can occur when the body core temperature reaches 86 F (20 
C) and death usually occurs between 86 F (26.7 C) and 80 F (30 C).  Six of the 
hypothermia survivors documented in the book "Deep Trouble" had core 
temperatures from 77 F to 88 F.   Several of the 9 fatalities reported in "Deep 
Trouble" are believed to be caused by hypothermia.  Numerous other canoe and 
kayak fatalities have resulted from hypothermia.  Personally I'm taking a 
serious look at the Sea-Seat.  I don't own one yet and since it probably looks 
like I'm trying to promote them I should state than I don't have any connection 
with the company or anyone who sells them. 
     
I enjoy sea kayaking solo in the winter (Washington State and nearby Canadian 
waters)  and any reasonable safety device will be considered by me.
     
I agree with John Winters and others on this list who believe that trust in 
safety equipment can lead to trouble when it's not balanced with good judgment 
and good boat handling skills and that access to safety devices may even 
increase the level of risk if someone purchases equipment and then heads out 
into conditions that are even more dangerous than what they may have been 
exposing themselves to previously.
     
Julio also wrote:  
     
A more useful thing would be
a raft with the shape of an envelope. The paddler would get in and 
stay there surrounded by pockets of air that would keep him/her warm. 
We could call it "rescue capsule".
     
Well you may have a good idea here Julio.  Let me know when you get it on the 
market.  How will it be more stable than the Sea-Seat?  How do you keep water 
out of the air pocket?  Make sure it is small enough in it's stored condition to
be a convenient "on-person" device.
     
Rex 
     
     
     
     
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