[Paddlewise] Drysuits

This is a reply to the post from Julio MacWilliams.
Julio, I intentionally left my drysuit completely 
unzipped in the pool when I performed a self rescue. I 
wanted to see if a self rescue was possible with the 
water that would enter the suit. Even with three gallons 
in each leg I performed a self rescue. 
I believe and teach students that Drysuits are the best 
thermal protection available. You must wear a thermal 
barrier between you and the drysuit like polar fleece or 
some other barrier like Jack Martin does. When using a 
drysuit you must keep the waterproof zipper completely 
zipped up also. And just as Ralph typed you must have 
proper gaskets. Years ago a sea kayaker drifted over 
eight hours in the waters of the San Juan Islands until 
he drifted up to an island. He slept in his drysuit 
overnight and was rescued by the Coast Gaurd when they 
saw him walking on the islands shore the next day. In 
comparison a few years ago a sea kayaker in Lake 
Superior was in a wetsuit for three hours while holding 
his sea kayak. He was found after a three hour search 
and was hypothermic. He was still conscious but was 
brought to the hospital and kept overnight. 
It is best to have thermal protection and both wetsuits 
work and drysuits work. They just have to be used 
properly.

Good Paddling,
Don Dimond
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