Re: [Paddlewise] rescue pod

Julio MacWilliams wrote:
> 
> I have been thinking about making a rescue bag that would
> keep a person warm and afloat at sea. My initial idea was to
> use one of those 'space blanket' bags, with big sponsons on
> the side.  The idea of the bubble wrap is good improvement, it
> would also protect the body when hitting rocks.

Have not looked at a "survival suit," such as used by commercial fishers,
in quite a while, but I recall that the skin is integral with the
insulation (closed cell foam?).  Of course, this makes for a very bulky
package, and not practical for sea kayak use.  I believe survival suits
seal around the face, allowing breathing and seeing, but not much else, so
as to reduce heat loss.

Maybe a tube made of survival suit material with a headpiece that seals at
the neck, inasmuch as most of us wear some sort of headgear.  Still need
some serious flotation in the upper torso/head/shoulders area to keep a
semiconscious person's head out of the water.  The flotation could be
inflatable type, to hold down the uninflated volume.  Still be bulky, but
not as bad as commercial survival suits, which have articulated arms and
legs.

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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