[Paddlewise] Lake Erie death

A couple of thoughts on Jack Martin's report:

a.  I would say that 90 per cent of dry suited paddlers I have been
with, including me, do not wear sufficient head gear of the nature that
you recommend, i.e. neoprene or rubberized thermal-stretch.  Lots of
hoods, wool watchcaps, synchilla C-caps, etc.  That is unless they are
intending to practice rolling, whereupon out comes the neoprene or
rubberized thermal stuff.  This is especially true when air temperatures
are in the mid-50s as you describe them the day Rhino died.  It makes me
rethink what I should be doing.  I hate the stench of neoprene, so I
need to get a hood made of the other stuff.

b.  It strikes me that the real killer in his case was the open
dry-suit.  Once it filled with water with no where to go, it would have
done him in on two counts:

1)  While we can't be certain exactly what insulation he had underneath,
almost all the normal stuff we think it is prudent to wear such as 200
Polartec, synchilla, whathaveyou, just would not work very well once
soaked.  You and I have discussed this before...the wisedom of wearing
one of the membraned thermal stretch products underneath either the
rubberized or the non-rubberized.  As it alone is pretty good at water
temperatures into the high 40s, it would make a difference.  Maybe a
combination of stuff such as wearing a shortie of the stuff with other
regular insulation, although certainly the full suit would be better. 
It breathes enough that it is not uncomfortable or likely to be any more
stifling than normal fleece.  But if the dry suit fails at the neck
gasket or anywhere else such as a tear, the membraned watersports
variety would be sufficient backup.

2)  It would have been real difficult for Rhino alone to effect a
self-rescue with the arms and legs of his suit filled with water.  I
don't know if you have done this in any rescue or cold water clinics
down your way, but even a paddling jacket and paddling pants with
neoprene closures can hold enough water to make getting back into a boat
a big problem.  I just don't hear any one talking about this or writing
about it much.  The few times I have been involved helping someone back
in with that predicament, it was very difficult.  In the water, water
trapped in clothing is not much of a hinderance, but once one tries to
lift arms or legs out of the water it is like being encased in cement. 
A dry suit filled with water and no ability to open up the wrists and
ankle gaskets would be a real problem.

ralph diaz
-- 
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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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