Re: [Paddlewise] Wetsuit for cool water??

I did the "jump in and test it" thing this weekend.  I have an Ultrex
Drytop over a pair of neoprene chest waders.  Underneath, I wore a pair
of long polypro bottoms.  On top, a poly t-shirt, polypro heavy top, and
a Polartec micro-chamois henley.

I was amazed at how much flotation the waders really have (they were
burped too).  I had a tiny amount of leakage (about 1/2 cup) in the
small of my back between the layers of PFD, drytop double skirt, waders,
and neoprene sprayskirt.  I will soon add a skirt to the top of the
waders that can be rolled together with the inner drytop skirt for a
good seal.

Anyhow, I swam around for 8-10 minutes in 45* water with just that
slight leakage, and I was not cold at all.  With a warm body core and
head, even my bare hands were warm enough to be able to sufficiently
perform a rescue.  I stood in the water for another 30 minutes (upper
body out) and helped my brother with his C-to-C roll, and then the hands
started to get a bit chilly.  Put on the neoprene gloves, and played for
another 15 minutes.  Still not cold, but wet.  Finally got out because I
was hungry.

I know with waders there are concerns (same with drysuit) of an air
bubble in the legs, or with the suit getting flooded; hence my addition
of the skirt.

I'm a lot more comfortable with my clothing solution now than I was
before I tested it.

Shawn

Woody wrote:
>Second question (and open to all): Should the 
>paddling community define some "rules of thumb"
<snip>
> (vice the "jump in and test it" advice)

Leander wrote:
>  I think for those who have never had the pleasure 
>of dumping in really cold water, this is a
>great way to see what keeps you warm without 
>endangering your life. Besides, you can then take
>a hot shower right away and warm up.

-- 
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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