RE: [Paddlewise] Safety Warning

> From: "Matt Broze" <mkayaks_at_oz.net>
> Subject: [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.

Thanks Matt for this insight. Teaching safe wet exits is one of my
obsessions within our club. While it seems a no brainer 99.999% of the time,
all it takes is one entrapment to take your life if you panic, or haven't
thought through the possibility.

During wet exit practice, I encourage folks to 'pretend' that their grab
loop is folded under. Think through how they would handle that situation,
and then try it. Leaving the grab loop exposed, but pretending it is folded
under, allows them a way out in the event their alternate method doesn't
work.

My other wet exit peeve is the wide spread trend to wear sandals or other
type of shoes that can catch easily on foot pegs. Once, it wasn't 15 minutes
after my "don't wear Birkenstocks' speech that a women got hers hung up on a
foot peg. Although she didn't capsize, she was visibly shaken for a bit, and
it made the point for the rest of the group.

Your observations on gloves is something else I will add to my class. Thanks
Matt.

Woody

***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************