Re: [Paddlewise] When in Rome do as the

<< Do you know of any instances where a skilled paddler has suffered 
hyperthermia from wearing a wetsuit or drysuit?  Since hypothermia has been 
called the number one killer of sea kayakers, I am curious to know if anyone 
has actually suffered real heat stroke (hyperthermia) from wearing a wetsuit 
or drysuit (not anectdotal, but documented).  This is a common excuse given 
for not wearing a wetsuit or drysuit but I have never heard of any actual 
accounts. >>

   Although hypothermia is often called the number one killer of sea 
kayakers, I believe the real culprit deserving the title of numero uno is 
drowning. I really doubt very many sea kayakers actually die of hypothermia. 
They may pass out and drown as a result of hypothermia, but they do not, in 
most cases, actually die of hypothermia. This may seem like nit picking, but 
if a paddler unzips their drysuit from overheating and subsequently capsizes, 
becomes hypothermic and drowns, did they die from hypothermia or hyperthermia?
   How many people have actually been saved by wearing pfd's? I don't want 
any anecdotal stories here, but actual documented accounts of people who are 
alive today because they were wearing their pfd. There is NO WAY one can 
determine unequivocally that the pfd saved their lives, or that a paddler 
might be alive today had they been wearing one!
   We each must access our own capabilities and the conditions we paddle in 
and dress/equip ourselves accordingly. There are not any hard and fast rules 
here. Most sea kayakers cannot reliably roll or perform self rescues. That 
does not mean that those of us who can should be condemned to the constant 
ridicule of our fellow paddlers because we have taken the time to build on 
our skills to the point of being able to rely on them rather then on the 
equipment.
   
Scott
So.Cal.
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