Thank you for all the suggestions and tips. A compass was already on the list of things to get, so I really wasn't putting down compasses. Several people have spoken about a compass in the PFD in case you get separated from your kayak and need to spend some time in the water, swimming toward shore. Up in Pacific Northwest, the water is cold enough that this is not really an option. Trying to survive any length of time in the water is risky, hypothermia takes its toll fast. So if I end up in the water, I'm going to be focusing on getting back in the kayak asap. Will having more gear in the PFD make a wet re-entry more difficult? Somewhere the water is warmer, and less protected, it does make more sense to carry a complete survival kit in the PFD. Or in the event I do get separated from the kayak some place close enough to shore to make that a viable survival option. Need to start learning and then practicing rolls. A small compass you can take on walks when on shore is also a good idea. Having a spare in case your deck compass is lost or stolen is probably a good idea. I've tried using a compass while hiking, and my problem is I'm not in the habit of using the compass before I need it, to get a reference direction. Having one in my face (so to speak), on the deck of the kayak means I'm more likely to look at it. I've thought about a small portable GPS as an alternative to the compass, but not sure about spending the bucks, and will I have the same problem I have with the compass, not messing with it until I really need it? As we start going further afield, a marine radio, including marine weather listening ability seems like a good thing. thanks dave -- Dave Uebele (daveu_at_sptddog.com) Spotted Dog Systems http://sptddog.com/daveu.html *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Thu Jul 15 1999 - 08:42:59 PDT
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:30:10 PDT