[Paddlewise] wearing PFDs in hot weather

As I listen to the several postings by paddlers from tropical climes who
shed their PFDs because of the heat, I wonder just exactly how hot are
they talking about and why they don't take well-known steps to reduce
their discomfort that still will leave them with a first defense safety
item in place?

New York City, while not in the tropics, can rival any other water spot
on earth for intense heat (Death Valley I am sure is hotter but does not
offer much in the way of paddling opportunities).  Temperatures in the
high 90s Fahrenheit with humidity in the 80% range are not uncommon. 
Humid heat is just about as horrible as it can get, but several local
factors intensify the feel of the heat here.  The concrete, brick and
asphalt of the concentration of tall buildings and streets absorb heat
and radiate it like a thousand radiators.  Our winds are often from the
West.  How does that affect the amount of heat? Well in several ways:
these winds are blowing off of the hotter earth in the interior;
moreover, winds from that direction are coming over higher land, and as
they drop down to the coast, the hot heavy air compresses and gets a bit
warmer as a result.  There is nothing like being on the water looking
for a cool breeze and finding that when the breeze picks up it seems to
be coming from an open furnace door.

YET, one can wear a PFD here without falling unconscious with
hyperthermia.  If one is feeling uncomfortable in a PFD, all it takes
are several remedies to cool off.  Some ideas that work well (these are
both ACA and BCU approved, :-) ):

1.  Take the PFD off, soak it in the water and put it back on.  You
would be surprised how much that cools you down.  (I learned this one
from some old-timer canoeists.)

2.  Take off your hat every half hour or so and soak it in the water and
put it back on.  Again, a great cooling effect and takes just a second.
(Self-taught and the result of a hat blowing off my head and getting
soaked).

3.  If paddling with others, grab on to the bow of another boat and flip
your boat on its side and dunk your head and body into the water.  If
you can roll, all the better, but the bow assisted cool-down is equally
effective.

While I mention these remedies the only one I ever really use is the
second one, the hat trick.  (BTW, while I am partly of Caribbean Latino
lineage, I suffer heat badly and seem to take more to my Irish side.)

I hope I don't sound doctrinaire or dogmatic, but I'm not convinced that
one _has_ to take off his/her PFD because of hot weather.  Few places
are as hot as here and there are remedies for any heat discomfort short
of sheeding your PFD.

If you _want_ to take off that PFD, that is another matter.  But you
don't really _need_ to.

happy paddling,

ralph diaz

   
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Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter
PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024
Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com
"Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag."
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