Re: [Paddlewise] When in Rome do as the

Jackie Fenton wrote:

> But I am curious if anyone knows of an actual case of hyperthermia on the
> water due to wearing a wetsuit or drysuit.  It's difficult for me to imagine
> a scenario where the possibility of heat stroke exists in conditions calling
> for a wetsuit or drysuit.  I've never heard of it happening.
>
> Jackie
>

    An example of conditions when one should wear a wetsuit under a drysuit would be
the first few days I paddled a kayak last January. It was 55+ air temp and the water
was 37 degrees by the thermometer at the dock. Being ignorant of winter paddling I
got myself into the boat and was very proud that I did it without getting wet. I
knew I'd be cold if I fell in but it never occurred to me that I could die in that
water. We had paddled many, many miles in canoes in such conditions but it never
occurred to me that it was even slightly dangerous. I was not dressed even close to
safely with my jeans and sweatshirt. I even had to take the sweatshirt off and
paddle in just a T-shirt because it was so warm. Out on the river, in the bright sun
it was really warm.
    I can easily see someone who is out of shape getting seriously overheated if
they are dressed for the next to freezing water and paddling hard. If they have no
choice but to continue to fight a choppy river, it does do that without any wind,
they either open the dry suit which can be deadly if they do go over or they
overheat with who knows what results. At least in a wet suit you can just get wet to
help cool you, even when there is no wind to help.
    I talked with local people and bought a wet suit and continued to paddle. Now I
have saved enough to buy a dry suit and plan to wear it a lot when the water is
cold. I'm getting a 2 piece because I'm afraid of the heating issues and if I feel I
must open the jacket I can make myself safe from having the suit fill up with water
if I do go over. I'm also learning to roll because my judgment is that I need this
skill. Besides it looks like a lot of fun. I just hope my boat cooperates <G>.

Joan Spinner

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