I don't claim to be a skilled paddler, however, I have had symptoms that correspond to what first responders are taught to use to diagnose incipient heat stroke. In my case it was while fishing in an open boat with minimal liquid availability on a day that the air temp hit 105 F in MN, in May, a very unusual combination. The cure for me was to jump into the lake and cool off, and then to get liquids in me. I suppose this qualifies as anectdotal since I was in no condition to take my own core temperature and my fishing partner was not that good of a friend. <g> However, one consequence of that experience is that I work hard to keep well hydrated and if I feel that I'm getting hyperthermic I will cool off in the water. IMO when paddling on Lake Superior it is prudent to dress for imersion. I wear a dry suit most of the year when paddling on the north shore, because the 50 degree surface temperature would induce hypothermia real fast. At least that is my experience when I jump in after a sauna. The hyperthermia becomes an issue when the air temp is in the 90's and the water temp is in the 40's or 50's. My solution is to stick my hands in the water for a couple of minutes and to pull on the neck gasket to allow some heat to escape. Both solutions leave me feeling better if not trully lowering my core temperature. The data that Jackie is asking for below may be very difficult to get. Those who die of hyperthermia will be hypothermic if they are not found immediately. Of those who recover from hyperthermia most will not seek medical attention or have their core temperature documented by other methods. Dana > -----Original Message----- > From: Jackie Fenton [mailto:jackie_at_intelenet.net] > Sent: Thursday, August 05, 1999 5:53 PM > To: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] When in Rome do as the ><snip> > 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. > > Thanks, > > Jackie *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> From: "Dickson, Dana A." <dana.dickson_at_unisys.com> > I don't claim to be a skilled paddler, however, I have had symptoms that > correspond to what first responders are taught to use to diagnose incipient > heat stroke. In my case it was while fishing in an open boat with minimal > liquid availability on a day that the air temp hit 105 F in MN, in May, a > very unusual combination. The cure for me was to jump into the lake and > cool off, and then to get liquids in me. I suppose this qualifies as > anectdotal since I was in no condition to take my own core temperature and > my fishing partner was not that good of a friend. <g> However, one > consequence of that experience is that I work hard to keep well hydrated and > if I feel that I'm getting hyperthermic I will cool off in the water. The point of hydration is a very good one. Paddlers should hydrate, not just for heat but also for cold weather. There are measures that can be taken to fend off heat exhaustion such as what you did, jump into the water (or roll the kayak as someone else mentioned). When you are in the cold water without a wetsuit or drysuit and are hypothermic, there's not a lot one can do for him/herself. I have a hard time accepting fear of hyperthermia as a valid excuse for not wearing a wetsuit or drysuit if conditions are such that either a wetsuit or drysuit would be life-sustaining in case of cold-water immersion... especially as someone suggested (and you have shown by experience) that, when you are on the water, there is a remedy for the heat. <snip> > The data that Jackie is asking for below may be very difficult to get. > Those who die of hyperthermia will be hypothermic if they are not found > immediately. Uhm, how can a dead body suffer hypothermia? 8-} I'm not a forensic pathologist but heatstroke is diagnosed from symptoms. Permanent damage can occur to organs (such as the brain) as a result of heatstroke. I don't know, but seems an autopsy would reveal if a victim wearing a wetsuit or drysuit suffered from heatstroke. > Of those who recover from hyperthermia most will not seek > medical attention or have their core temperature documented by other > methods. > > Dana Still, there are plenty of accounts of hypothermia of paddlers. Documented. If hyperthermia due to wearing a wetsuit or drysuit was a real risk, then it would seem to me there would be plenty of eyewitnesses and documentation of that, too. Cheers, Jackie *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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