Re: [Paddlewise] Safety Warning

In a message dated 3/6/01 8:32:44 PM, mkayaks_at_oz.net writes:

<< I recently learned of two separate incidents where paddlers were trapped in

their kayak upon capsizing because they were wearing neoprene gloves.. . .big 
snip. . .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. >>
    
We Chesapeake Paddlers have been accused of overdoing the safety "thing" but 
what you will see is a lot of us have whiffle golf balls, dog's toys, pieces 
of pvc, all kinds of things on the grab loops of our skirts. I have the 
bright orange balls on mine. 
    This will seal our reputation, but before I paddle any boat I look for 3 
ways out of the skirt. I do that when I set the pegs, if not before. Lean 
over to one side and grab the bunched fabric, use the tail Matt talked about 
and see if your knees will push it off. That orange ball feels odd when it is 
missing. I proved that last week when I was in a hurry because I was holding 
people up and the loop went inside. I fussed and fussed because something 
didn't "feel" right. I finally figured it out, fixed it, and off we went.
    Last year part of the $112 I spent on warm hand was a pair of gloves that 
keep my hands toasty, even when wet. But about 1/3 of the way through the 
first trip with them I had to take them off because I was increasingly aware 
that I would be unable to pull up a bungie cord, operate a simple thing like 
pulling down the zipper of my pfd if I was trapped by something stuck to it 
and so on. 
    I'm VERY unsure about just pogies in cold water. If I go in with no 
protection or just my fingerless gloves, I really doubt I'd be in  any better 
shape for dexterity than I was with the toasty gloves. What I have decided to 
do is *KICKING & SCREAMING* go to a Euro paddle, put short pogies on the 
shaft, and wear the Seal Skin gloves that will at least give me a few seconds 
before my hands are about useless.
    If your hands are gone you can't hold a paddle to do that reenter and 
roll, nor anything else that requires holding onto things. VERY scary!

Joan Spinner
who wants sssooooo badly for the
water to get warm again

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