Wes Boyd wrote: > It sounds good, but Kathleen, like me, is a larger paddler. I would very > much like to wear hydroskins, but the simple fact is that the biggest size > NRS sells is way to small for me, and, I suspect, for her. The only thing > available for me in commercial wet suits is the NRS Grizzley, which is > really too heavy for anything but the times when its really needed. > Besides, the one I have doesn't fit well. Too small. Custom wet suit time. > Dry suits? Forget it. Not available for people my size.SNIPPED > No doubt the hypothermia nazis are going to jump all over me for this, but, > as I said, it's my decision; I have to be the one that has to balance the > risks. I've had cold water hypothermia -- from a nonboating related > activity, by the way -- and have a pretty good idea of the risks I'm > taking. But I'm the one that has to balance things out. Other factors are at play that may be to your benefit. Heavier people have more layers of fat on them that DO reduce their risk of hypothermia. Skinnier people are more prone. The most amazing case of survival I know of involves a ship that went down off the coast of New Jersey in the early 1990s in near winter conditions. One portly fellow, the cook who apparently was his own best customer, donned oil slickers over a wool coat and pants, and went into the water (wearing a PFD). He floated for almost a day before being found. Little loss of core body temperature. I don't know if toes or hands suffered any. He did have those extra layers of wool and the waterproof outer layers did reduce the amount of water exchange that would have robbed him of bodily heat. What you may want to do to up your chances in the conditions you describe is to get a modicum of protection. The Hydroskin stuff is amazingly stretchy. I don't believe it has near the neoprene equivalency stated earlier by someone (I don't know what NRS claims for it), but it certainly is better than nothing. If you can't wear a full suit or even a farmer john, is it possible to wear a vest, i.e. anything to give you some level of protection. ralph diaz -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Wed Dec 27 2000 - 06:41:10 PST
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