> >There was a couple on Steve's when we arrived. They were waiting out the >fog, had no overnight equipment, no extra food and no compass. This was >an interesting comparison to our "stuff". Even if we had been fogged in >for the weekend, we had tent, blankets, extra food and clothes. AND a >compass and chart. > >Debra >Southern Maine Sea Kayaking Network > This brings up an issue for me. . . I've paddled with one person who didn't pack any water, no food, no compass, flares, lights, radio -- basically she had the boat, PFD, wetsuit, hat, and pogies. Dave Kruger knows who I'm talking about. He was there. Dave, this paddler, and I decided to circumnavigate Long Island in Willapa Bay. The day was Dec. 21 --winter solstice. The tide and daylight windows would be very tight, but we did the circumnav without any problem. Dave and I had extra food and water. Here's my list of the minimal stuff to take for a day paddle: Spare paddle PFD equiped with: Gerber River Shorty knife Three aerial flares Signal mirror Compass VHF radio Strobe light Watch (strapped to the vest, dry-top won't easily accomodate a watch) 100' nylon line Water, about two litres behind the seat, and in water bottles, *hate* being dehydrated! Paddle float Bilge pump Food, typically three bagels, some lunch meat, granoloa. . . enough for overnight. I'm thinking about putting together a first aid kit, but I was a Medic in the Army, have a couple Red Cross First Aid certificates for teaching, and feel comfortable with being able to improvise bandages, splints and slings from the T-shirt, long-john top, spare paddle, knife, and line that I pack along. Most first aid kits that I see are "aspirin and bandaids" which work for small children on a day trip in the car. . . But my idea of a first aid kit is something that will manage broken bones, lacerations, and traumatic amputations (OK, gunshot wounds too. . . the Medic in me). These sorts of injuries are managed generally with "bandages" made from clothing. . . the T-shirt and long-john top are ample and well suited. Spare paddles make decent splints for legs, arms might need a shorter splint. . . part of a paddle. Bandaids and aspirin won't work for large lacerations. Hutchinson talks about a first aid kit with prescription pain killers and minor surgery items. I think a forceps, tweezers, a scalpel, and surgical scissors would be a start. Some very large absorbent bandages, a 2" roll of adhesive tape, and a couple "Ace" elastic bandages should manage most injuries. But I think maybe the huge injury concern in paddling is hypothermia and for that, a sleeping bag and a second warm body. . . When hiking and skiing, I take lots of "bandages" for blisters--and also clean socks which I suppose are part of a first-aid kit for hiking and skiing feet. There must be paddling specific items on the first-aid list. So what's on your list of basic paddling stuff? ------------------------------------------------------- George Bergeron, Secretary OSWEGO HERITAGE COUNCIL P.O. Box 1041, Lake Oswego, Oregon 97034 Web Site: http://www.europa.com/~heritage/welcome.html Email: heritage_at_europa.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Geo. Bergeron wrote: > Here's my list of the minimal stuff to take for a day paddle: > > Spare paddle > PFD equipped with: > Gerber River Shorty knife > Three aerial flares > Signal mirror > Compass > VHF radio > Strobe light > Watch [snip] > 100' nylon line > Water, about two litres behind the seat [snip] > Paddle float > Bilge pump > Food, typically three bagels, some lunch meat, granoloa [snip] > > I'm thinking about putting together a first aid kit,[snip] > So what's on your list of basic paddling stuff? I have longer list than what I've added below, but mainly because I keep the stuff I "need" on a multi-day trip in a bag where most of George's stuff is also, and am too lazy to separate it out from the minimally necessary stuff for a day trip. 'Bout all I'd add to George's list is: a chart, a smallish tarp/space blanket, some dry clothes (hate sleeping in my wet suit), TP, headlamp, some firestarter stuff, and a fifth of tequila. The tequila is to fight off the boredom while bivvied overnight somewhere. If I'm stuck with my SO, we don't need the tequila (she does not drink). -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Geo. Bergeron wrote: > SNIP< > Dave and I had extra food and water. > > Here's my list of the minimal stuff to take for a day paddle: > > Spare paddle > PFD equiped with: > Gerber River Shorty knife > Three aerial flares > Signal mirror > Compass > VHF radio > Strobe light > Watch (strapped to the vest, dry-top won't easily accomodate a watch) > 100' nylon line > Water, about two litres behind the seat, and in water bottles, *hate* being > dehydrated! > Paddle float > Bilge pump > Food, typically three bagels, some lunch meat, granoloa. . . enough for > overnight. > > I'm thinking about putting together a first aid kit, but I was a > Medic in the Army, have a couple Red Cross First Aid certificates for >SNIP< > So what's on your list of basic paddling stuff? > > ------------------------------------------------------- > George Bergeron, Secretary > OSWEGO HERITAGE COUNCIL > P.O. Box 1041, Lake Oswego, Oregon 97034 > Web Site: http://www.europa.com/~heritage/welcome.html > Email: heritage_at_europa.com > I don't believe I've noticed "the 10 essentials" ever mentioned here on Paddle Wise.. Is that "old" stuff and not used anymore? I may be old fasioned, but I still cling to some of that old thinking. On top of the "ten" I will carry toilet paper, sunscreen, bug dope, Dr. McGillicuddy(same small bottle for years!), duck tape, poncho, space blanket, most of the things you mentioned above(no flares,paddle float or strobe), and lastly, but not last, I TRY to have packed a good dose of common sense.. "I think that was the first item the person you paddled with left out!" I must confess that 99.9% of the times I leave shore that I am packed up for atleast an overnighter. "incureable wonderlust" James *************************************************************************** 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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