Re: [Paddlewise] It could happen to you...

I hate to Monday-morning quarterback but you did have a last minute
safety outlet.  Teller's Point offers a high wind and weather break. 
When you first spotted the bad weather coming at you, you could have
paddled swiftly back around the point and gotten shelter from the waves
and wind.

It is amazing how much bad wind and sea you can ride out when tucked
behind something, even a small island.  Teller's Point is massive
offering maximum protection.

Other comments: 

> Lessons learned:
> 
> 1) I didn't listen to the weather forecast, which predicted
> exactly what came, (including the tornado in Pawling) if I had
> I wouldn't have gone out at all

Well, sometimes the weather doesn't happen the way of the predictions. 
But from where you were paddling it should have been obvious that the
likelihood of the storm was high. 

> 
> 2) no paddlefloat, which prevented re-entry once it was calm
> enough to do so

>From what you said to me, you have not practiced using a paddlefloat
anyway.  Believe me, it requires practice.  It amazes me the number of
people who have paddlefloats decorating the rear decks of their boats
(along with bilge pumps which are harder to use than people realize if a
cockpit is very filled with water).  You should practice both self and
group rescues, starting first with calm water and walk thoughs on land. 
Then trying it under the stress of waves.  For the latter you need not
go out into a storm.  There are spots almost anywhere where you can do
this.  I wrote it up in one of my newsletter awhile ago but you can find
them easily.  Spots where you are in relatively shallow water while boat
traffic is passing by at a safe distance from you and the land next to
you is a friendly beach or nice low dock.  If you mess up, you can go to
shore and rest, or if you lose your boat it will wash into a safe
place.  This situation gives you the feel of tougher self-rescues since
the wakes give you some realistic wave conditions.  But you don't put
yourself at any risk.

> 
> 3) no learned and practiced roll, which I couldn't have done
> anyway in those conditions, but besides I

That is true.  Under the conditions you describe, only a handful of
paddlers in the tri-state area would have been able to deal with the
waters once they got knocked down.  

> 
> 4) had no skirt

Not smart with bad weather approaching.  Even a heavy rain would have
been a problem and uncomfortable.
 
> 5) no strobe on my vest, it was here in the closet, safe at home

> 
> 6) no flares or even a flashlight

Make certain you have a PFD with big enough pockets to contain all that
and other vital stuff like an emergency space blanket, smoke cannisters,
etc.  This way there is no way of leaving it at home.

Remember the survival axiom:  IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT ON YOU, YOU DON'T
HAVE IT!

> 
> 7) no knife

Make certain to have one if you have any kind of strap or cord around
you such as a paddle tether or when sailing.

> 
> 8) I was in street clothes, the drysuit was also safely home in
> the closet. If the water were cold, I'd almost certainly have
> perished.

Paul, the water temperature was 70 degrees.  And it is summer.  You
would not be wearing a drysuit!!

> 
> 9)Tether the bilge pump in. I nearly lost it three times.

That is a good idea.  But again one more line to catch and entrap you.

> 
> 10)I was out alone.

Nothing wrong with that.  Many paddlers paddle alone.  The only thing is
to make certain that you are well-equipped if you do and you know how to
use it all and have checked out that it is in good working condition.

> 
> Extrasport PFD worked well, but **only because the waist strap
> was cinched as tightly as I could stand it**. A mistake I think
> some make if they are novices who haven't actually ever been in
> the water in their vests is to buckle up and leave the waist
> straps loose, if tied at all. This will never do as the vest
> will ride up around your head like a chef's hat while your chin
> is at he surface of the water, if you're in rough seas you'll
> be swallowing a lot.

Very important point, Paul.  I recently was with someone who went over
in hairy conditions among pier pilings and swift moving waters.  Her PFD
was riding up so high that her chin was down at the zipper!
 

BTW, Paul.  Don't knock yourself on this.  You are not the only one on
these listservers who paddles with about the same level of preparedness
as you.  Your experience may get a few to take corrective action now.

ralph
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter
PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024
Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com
"Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag."
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