Joan, >> <<What is necessary and when is it just window dressing?>> If you end up needing it, it's necessary; if not I guess it could be called window dressing. It's similar to backing up your PC stuff. Do you expect something bad to happen? Probably not. But what will it mean if something bad does happen? I paddle mostly alone and carry a day bag with flares, sun block, etc. Do I know how to use all that stuff? Nope, but I get the sun block right (most of the time). I also carry a clothes bag and what I call a survival bag. This contains stuff for an emergency overnighter on an island so I don't have to make stupid decisions just because I'm running out of time in bad weather, etc. I carry heavy fleece stuff and winter shells, etc. in the clothes bag. Last year, after doing something a little more stupid than usual (http://csisler.com/Kayaks/Reports/980730ThomastonME.htm) I found myself in some cold Maine water for 10-15 minutes. Even with the clothes it took me an hour and a half or so to recover. If I had had a Maidenform I would have worn it. My ears were really cold too. <g> Did I ever use the bag before? Nope. Have I used it since? Nope. Do I still carry it? Yup. Clyde - 4 days and counting *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Fri Jun 11 1999 - 19:25:19 PDT
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