SORRY FOLKS, I did forget some items, which I do consider essential: a 12 feet rope, neoprene socks with rubber soles, mathces under deck and also a lighter. I am not using cloves when paddling, but this other stuff (- oh my god, now I am not able to remember the word again - it started with a 'p'). Also a watertight head lamp, but I havenīt found any suitable place for that - I do very rarely paddle at night. And at least 1/2 litres of water on deck - if it gets hairy during long crossings also a good bottle in a PDF pocket with a straw would be safest... I do prefer also a hat and sunglasses (large & black :-)) essential: one can become snowblind because of the sun and light reflecting from the surface of the water. My PFD has a belt, otherwise it can rise too high if I am floating in the water. (The original message follows) Hello Bill, are you aware, that it is possible to add pockets to your spray skirt? Of course, it depends on what kind and size of a spray skirt you have. I am keeping a knife, a whistle and extra food (candy bars etc.) in my PFD pocket (only one). In the spray skirt pocket - hopefully next summer - a smoke torch, possibly few rockets. I am trying to find some reasonable packages for them - condoms might be some of the most popular ones. On the deck a chart, a compass and a cellular phone in a watertight package, which allows itīs use without taking the phone out. They are fastened to the bungie chords. Also, a new spare paddle, the neoprene sleeves to warm my wrists. Under the deck possible extra rockets and in a watertight package behind the seat: a radio (weather forecasts), extra knife, first-aid kit, a hypothermia cover. Sun cream. THEN of course: extra clothes & rainwear. Water etc. Dry- or wetsuit. Has somebody already done this list during a last few weeks? Ari Saarto "Think about your hips - a good sea kayaker is also a worthy partner in samba..." Kannaksenkatu 22 / P.O. 92 15141 Lahti - Finland - Europe GSM +358 - 50 - 526 5892 fax. +358 - 3 - 828 2815 e-mail: asaarto_at_lpt.fi *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
At 03:54 PM 3/2/98 -0500, you wrote: >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. >Bill Leonhardt Bill: Complain to the US Coast Guard about pockets on PFDs. For instance; Wildwater (Britain) makes a model called the Expedition Shortie that has a lot of excellent pockets. The British version has a nice big pocket on the back, complete with a pull strap attached at the shoulder to help you pull whatever item out of the back pocket. (Few people could ever reach down into the back pocket form over their shoulder to retrieve anything) The US does not approve of the British version for import so thus you can only get an Expedition Shortie WITHOUT a back pocket. I ordered mine direct from Britain and got the rear pocket. Robert -- Orlando, Fl ________________________________________________________ Robert Starling Member ASMP / APSG Robert Starling Photography, Inc. Orlando, Florida Phone 407 521-0041 Fax 407 521-0031 http://www.starling.com NetGuide Magazine Internet Site Of The Day *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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