[Paddlewise] Safety Warning

I recently learned of two separate incidents where paddlers were trapped in
their kayak upon capsizing because they were wearing neoprene gloves. I
talked to the near drowning victim in one of these incidents. She had been
hospitalized and is alive today only because her paddling partners reached
her and got her out of the kayak. She said the problem was that with the
gloves on she could not feel what she was touching and could not find the
grab loop to remove the spraydeck. This same lack of feeling also made it
impossible for her to find and release the Velcro straps on the back of the
gloves in order to take them off to free her fingers.
Let me suggest that any new gear you get may have more effect on you than
you can anticipate. Honestly, how many of us would realize that the addition
of gloves to keep our hands warm could make it impossible for us top remove
the sprayskirt, much less, the gloves themselves.
Everyone should practice alternative ways to remove their spraydeck in case
they inadvertently tuck in their release loop or have it fail and break
loose.
Some suggestions to try:
Many spraydecks have the shock cord protruding from the rear where the
tension can be adjusted. This can serve as an alternative grab loop. Also,
try lifting your PFD by shoving your hand down inside the spraydeck through
the waist tube opening and then push out to the side, palm up, just above
the coaming rim with your fingertips straight to break the seal (and then
lift up from the elbow and sweep your hand forward to remove the skirt). You
push out to the side first because it is easier to get the shock cord to
clear the cockpit where there is less of a curve.
Consider using Pogies to keep your hands warm or cutting a few fingertips
off your thick neoprene gloves.
If you were to dislocate your shoulder (or stick one arm into the sharks
mouth) you may need to be able to release the spray skirt with one hand.
Practice this, try it with the grab looped tucked away too.
Other alternative spraydeck removable suggestions you might have would be
appreciated.
Matt Broze
http://www.marinerkayaks.com


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