I just want to add a couple of thoughts which went through my head when I read the various postings on this topic. Tethers: I use a person to boat tether. Upon immersion in cold water the cold shock -reason #1 to wear always your pfd- may disable ones ability to hold on to anything. This is already the good side, on the worst side a heart attack is also a possibility in such a situation. On a recent lecture on that topic the speaker pointed out that cold shock hits you, no matter if you wear jeans, wet suit, or dry suit, and not wearing a life jacket in this situation may save you suffering hypothermia since you drown instantly. If you survive the initial cold shock appropriate cold water clothing will buy you time, active time you can use for trying selfrescue, signalling etc., and passive time were it keeps you alive for additional time. But even with the best drysuit this time is still limited! VHF: Carrying a VHF radio can make a difference, but I wonder, given the already restricted range while sitting in your kayak how far the call travels when you are in the water and the antenna is barely a foot above surface? However, still a valuable option! Signals: Definitely something everybody should carry. The problem is that storage in the pfd pockets is somewhat limited. Radio, flares, compass, mirror, flashlight..... Anybody found a smart solution? Just a couple of rather unsorted thoughts directly from the brain to the keyboard Take care out there and enjoy spring -more snow falling in the Maritimes right now, last year this time a number of plants were already blooming. Cheers Ulli *************************************************************************** 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 Tue Apr 03 2001 - 06:00:09 PDT
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