RE: [Paddlewise] Vertigo?

Dave,

It seems to be related to losing a reference such as the horizon.  When I
crewed during overnight sailboat races, going below to update our nav charts
and replot our course became a race between my internal gyros, my stomach,
and the work to be done.  The problem was lack of a definable reference, in
this case, navigation buoy's or other ships clearance lights.

Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net
[mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net]On Behalf Of Dave Kruger
Sent: Monday, November 06, 2000 7:53 PM
To: Paddlewise
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Vertigo?


Barbara Kossy wrote:
>
> [snip] Looking over the expanse of water softened by haze, with no nearby
> landmarks, again I became tense. I did the best I could, focusing my sight
> on a nearby paddler. On the way back I asked another paddler if I could
> paddle with him, just so I could have someone to look at as we paddled. If
I
> looked over my left shoulder, and out into the empty flat gray bay, I had
a
> sensation that could only be compared with looking into a deep elevator
> shaft, or over a sheer cliff into infinity. I felt I was loosing my
balance.
> On a 19-inch boat this is not a welcome feeling.

> Has anyone had similar experiences?

Yup, and it is scary.

Once, in a brightly back-lit haze on the water, with no reference marks.
And,
another time, in full-on whiteout on a glacier while on mountaineering skis.
I
suspect the only real cure is some other contrasting object.  Another
paddler
is probably the best bet.  Failing that, maybe concentrating on an object on
your deck?

--
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR

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