Re: [Paddlewise] Hearing Aids & Kayaks

Kris,

You have actually hit an important safety issue of sea kayaking --signalling.

Kayakers can not rely on speech for communication. 

That is why there are a couple of "languages" of hand and paddle signals 
developed for kayakers.

The basic language has very few signals.
- Paddle held vertically: come here
- Paddle held horizontally: hold your position
- Paddle waved from side to side: help!

For assisting other kayakers in landing through surf there are 
two more words:
- Paddle going up and down vertically: paddle forward fast
- Paddle horizontal with blades going up and down: paddle backwards.

Some groups, like the Tsunamy rangers, have developed their own
extensive hand signal language tailored for their needs.

That begs the question: how do you call someone's attention to look 
at your hand signals? 

You do not. It is the responsibility of every member of the group
to look at all the other members frequently. You should wait until
another paddler looks at you, and then do your hand signals. 

Avoid paddling with people who do not understand the importance of
looking at each other frequently.

In the bottom line, it so happens that hearing impaired people, who
have a very extensive and well developed sign language, are better off
and communicate better at sea than anyone else.

- Julio

Kris wrote:
 
> I'm a newbie here.  Planning on taking a sea kayaking course in Seattle this
> Spring, and concerned about getting my hearing aids wet.  Anyone out there
> wear aids and how do you deal with the possibility of getting dumped?
> They're expensive tools and don't take well to large amounts of water.  It
> was suggested that I simply not wear them while paddling, just carry them
> along in a sealable container to wear during lunch stops and camping.  This
> sounds feasible, as it appears there is a lot of noise from wind and surf
> that impairs the hearing of 'normal' folks.  But I'm wondering, is there a
> safety issue here?
> 

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