Re: [Paddlewise] Dry Suit Field Test

>    Drysuit usage: While there is a lot of information about care and
>feeding and benefits, I don't recall seeing anything about proper use of
>one, ie: Gaskets go next to the skin.  Don't put them over booties, socks,
>watches, gloves, etc.  Get wrinkles out.  Zip the damn things up!!!  Common
>sense?  Maybe.
            You found out the hard way that the gaskets only work if they're
on to skin, and actually for some little distance as well (i.e. no
wrinkles).  I hike my watch up high enough that I have to peel back the
wrist gasket some distance to read it; haven't had water in through there
yet.  I tried taking the watch off and putting it back on over the gasket..
My drysuit has a fabric cover over the gaskets.  Turned out to be
inconvenient and got in the way now and then especially when putting on or
taking off the drysuit.  You always forget it's there until you've disrobed
to some awkward position.
            WRT zipping up..  I know of two fatalities where someone didn't
do that....  Nowadays there are very few drysuits with rear entry zippers
and one of the fatalities involved such a suit.
            I've also run across one near miss  (Hypothermia) because the
paddler put nothing on under the drysuit.

>    I let that woman walk away knowing she wasn't dressed properly,
couldn't
>roll or perform assisted or self rescues.  They were headed up a shallow,
>protected passage but I presume they were doing a circumnavigation and
would
>be coming back an exposed coast and into an ebb tide.  Conditions were
mild,
>still……
            It's good to be concerned and I too will say something to
paddlers who are clearly unprepared for what is in store.  Nonetheless, all
those waivers that we sign in various clubs all say the same thing:  Only We
are responsible for what We choose to do.  Having said my piece in those
circumstances I can do no more.  It's their decision ultimately.  In many
instances, they were reasonable and saw what I was trying to get across.  In
one instance they started in anyway and took just a few seconds before they
realized how unprepared they were and prudently quit.   Otherwise, you just
have to walk away from it..........  and hope for the best.
>


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