[Paddlewise] Compass in PFD

Why do I carry a hand compass in my PFD when not on a major trip? - three
reasons : -

1. A short day trip down Lane Cove River and around Sydney Harbour might be
about 35km passing river junctions, numerous bends and inlets - my sense of
direction is lousy and much to my suprise a compass plus laminated street
maps have helped once or twice - reference recent trip report in Paddlewise.


2.  What do you do when the fog comes down on a short trip? and theres
ferries all around?

3. Imagine you were tipped in the water and separated from your kayak
-you're disoriented, theres swell, chop (otherwise why would you fall out
and get separated), spray, mist or fog and you're lucky if you can see
anything but water. I'ld take a leaf out of Lindemans book and look at the
compass and mutter keep swimming west! Tell me if this is silly tho' because
touch wood I've not experienced it yet and I'm fairly inexperienced so could
easily be talking nonsense!

4. Besides its small, takes up no room at all and my Mother in Law (whom I
greatly respect) gave it to me!

I'm not suggesting that a hand compass is an adequate substitute for a deck
compass on major trips but on short trips I think its essential without
being "over the top". And I carry it even when I've got a deck compass. 

All the best,  (no sense of direction) PeterO

Dave Uebele wrote:
>So, in what order do people start adding more gear as you move beyond the
newbie stage? If you >say you always bring a compass, when did you start
doing that, how far out do you usually >paddle, etc?  What is the criteria
for something on/in the boat vs on the PFD?

Shawn Baker wrote
>A bilge pump, deck compass, paddlefloat, and chart will do you little good
if you're
>floating around in your PFD.

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