| Provide a water briefing. Knowing the tides, currents and water temperatures |expected along the planned route helps, everything from being dressed properly to |decreasing the work factor and using conditions to advantage rather than fighting |them. I think you have this covered in the paragraph, but STRESS how deadly cold water can be. Inform the paddler on how quickly they will lose the dexterity in their hands. Warn them about the dangers of warm air and cold water. 6-8 weeks ago we had 24 inches of snow on the ground here in central North Carolina with ice on the lakes. We have been in the 60-70's and today we might hit 85. That water is still cold. Two weeks after the snow and ice I saw people in small sailing boats out on the lakes. They did not appear to have on PFDs much less cold water gear. There was one kayaker who at least had on a PFD. May have had on other gear but the boat was too far away to tell. Remind them to take water. I know that sounds really simple but I have seen people on a 6.5 mile hike with children aged from 4-8 in 90+ degree weather with nothing more than a couple of soda cans in hand. I have seen this happen in varing degrees over and over. I have talked to other people who have witnessed the same thing. Some people in our society are very far removed from the realities of nature. Hope this helps.... Dan McCarty *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Thu Mar 09 2000 - 06:46:56 PST
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