Re: [Paddlewise] Protection for immersion...

The best quote I ever heard on the subject came from Ken Fink of Poseidon
Kayaks in Maine:

"Whitewater kayakers are usually never far from shore, so their reality is
different. If you really find yourself in a bad situation in sea kayaking,
you have a lot of time to ponder your impending death" (I may have not
gotten it 100% his words, but the meaning comes through)

In short, I sweat it out in my drysuit if the water's cold. Much better
chance I'll be able to write up the accident report for you all myself.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
------

Wayne Smith
wsmith16_at_snet.net

Check out my sea kayaking & homebrewing page:
http://pages.cthome.net/wsmith16/home.html



----- Original Message -----
From: Mark Mastalski <mastalski_at_engr.wisc.edu>
To: <paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net>
Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 2001 9:55 AM
Subject: [Paddlewise] Protection for immersion...


> I have a question regarding what is the appropriate dress when immersion
in
> cold water is a possibility.  For example, as many of you may know NRS
> makes your standard 3 millimeter neoprene wetsuit and then they make the
> Hydro Skin.  I love the Hydro Skin as it is much more comfortable and
> doesn't have that clammy feeling against your skin.  The downside
however
> is that it does not have the R-factor of the neoprene, meaning it does
not
> provide for as much insulation, something important if immersion in cold
> water is a possibility.  Where I run into trouble is when I'm trying to
> figure out what to wear on a July 4th paddle in Lake Superior.  The air
may
> be 80 degrees, but darn that water is still plenty cold.  Certainly I'd
> love to be wearing Hydro Skin on such a warm day, but if immersion were
to
> occur, I'm guessing that the Hydro Skin would not provide sufficient
core
> warmth.  Do some of you always wear a dry suit to protect against
> immersion, regardless of the air temperature?  Is there a recommended
water
> temperature where it is appropriate to always wear a dry suit, not just
a
> wetsuit?  I've often heard the 110 degree rule, meaning if the water and
> air temperature combined are under 110 degrees Fahrenheit, you should be
> wearing a dry suit, but is this too simple a rule?  I have whitewater
> kayaked for eight years now and dressing for that is simple since I find
> myself upside-down plenty.  However, I find myself struggling against
> dressing appropriately for a warm day on cold water when sea
> kayaking.  Cold day, cold water, no problem.  Warm day, warm water, no
> problem.  There's probably no one answer, since each person weighs risk
of
> immersion differently.  What would you suggest to a novice paddler
getting
> into the sport and asking for your educated suggestion?
>
> Thanks and happy paddling.
>
> Mark Mastalski
>
>
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