[Paddlewise] When in Rome do as the

Jackie wrote >

>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.

This doesn't answer your question directly but In "The Users Guide to the
Australian Coast" there are two relevant tables i) Potential heat stress
hazard posed by combinations of air temperature and relative humidity -
based on data from NOAA and ii) Potential cold stress hazard for immersion
in cold water without body protection - based on data from Australian
Oceanographic Data Centre. My interpretation of the heat stress table
suggests that at temperatures above 27 celsius and 70% humidity or 30
celsius and 50% relative humidity there is a moderate to high risk of heat
cramps and heat exhaustion with prolongued activity. I won't give the cold
stress figure I imagine in general American kayakers know more about this
than Australians. I have suffered hyperthermia (vomiting, dizziness and salt
loss years ago walking (in England) and believe in the right clothing for
the right conditions. I've only been kayaking for a year (twice a week every
week) but In Australia, while kayaking, I find it very risky to wear a
wetsuit in high summer but always wear one in winter. I'm wearing one now
and about to go for some practice in Bobbin Head!

PeterO
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