Re: [Paddlewise] experience kayaker clinging

At the risk of beating a dead horse, here are a few thoughts and facts:

The newspaper article in case anybody missed it:
http://www.portland.com/frnews/kayak1105.shtml

The article said 51* water temps; 58 knot winds were supposedly
forecasted--sure doesn't sound unreasonable for 6-8' seas.  For a very
experienced, prepared kayaker, this isn't totally unreasonable. 
Unreasonable for me, but not for some.

According to the nearest NOAA data bouy:
ftp://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/data/realtime/44007.txt

At 1:00pm on 11/5/99
Air temp: 43.8*F (6.6*C)
Water temp: 48.9 *F (9.4*F)
Wind speed: 9 knots (could have gusted higher--9 kt is avg. speed for
the hour)

At rescue time:
Air temp: 51.8*F (11.0*C)
Water temp: 48.9 *F (9.4*F)
Wind speed: 9 kt

It sounded to me like he had a farmer john, and a paddling jacket or
windbreaker, booties, and pfd.  While he was underdressed, he did have
on his PFD.  He could have had a fatal swim for the bouy, maybe having
the PFD while swimming in such cold water saved his life too.  It said
it took him 20 minutes to climb up on the bouy, so we know his dexterity
was probably shot when he reached it.

I'd venture to say he wouldn't have survived immersion that long dressed
like that.  He made a very smart choice in swimming to the bouy, illegal
or not.  I'd rather pay a fine for boarding a bouy, than die for not
having done so.  Remember to dress for the water, not for the air.

He was also smart to tell his girlfriend where he would be paddling, and
when he was to be expected back.  She then knew that when he wasn't back
by the agreed- upon time, to call the rescue authorities.  They then had
a more specific area to search, rather than just knowing he was within a
20-mile radius of their town.  We can all remember to file a good float
plan.  (I'm guilty of not always doing so, but I will start now!)

It just slays me that people go out in conditions like these without a
roll.  The article didn't say specifically that he couldn't roll, but
said in effect that he normally swings himself back into the
kayak--doesn't sound like a roll to me. I've never been in waves that
big, and I certainly wouldn't if I couldn't roll.
If I were to go into seas like that, I'd make damn sure I had flares,
maybe a smoke signal, a strobe, and a signal mirror.  If he'd had a
space blanket, he could have wrapped it around him while clinging to the
bouy; it would have saved evaporative heat loss from wind, and helped
stop radiant heat loss. The article also stated that he couldn't get
back in the boat because it kept filling up with water.  Sounds like
more prior rescue practice could have helped a lot!  For sure a bilge
pump and paddlefloat would have been valuable.  Remember, if you're in
conditions that can capsize you, they can probably capsize you again
after you re-enter the boat.  Next to good judgement and knowing what
conditions to avoid, seems to me a roll is the best insurance.  A VHF
radio would have let him contact the Coast Guard and get an almost
immediate rescue.

The article also said 13-foot kayak.  Okay, are we talking a Perception
Mirage here, or a recreational touring type kayak?  I don't know of too 
many boat designs in the 13-foot range that people take into water like 
that, with the possible exception of the Mariner Coaster.  Are you ready 
for the conditions you might encounter?  Is your kayak designed for the
conditions you may encounter?

Some would accuse sea kayakers of being gear-heads, but having more gear
could have meant coming back to the beach 1/2 hour late rather than 15
hours!  I am glad he survived.  I truly hope he will not only learn from
his "adventure" but tell others how being even a little more prepared
could have helped him.

I don't ever want to have to be rescued.  However, if I am in a
situation requiring rescue, I want be ready to summon rescuers quickly
to my location, and prepared to wait for them.

Shawn

-- 
Shawn W. Baker          0                                    46°53'N
© 1999            ____©/______                              114°06'W
~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^\  ,/      /~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^
baker_at_montana.com    0        http://www.missoulaconcrete.com/shawn/
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