Unfortunately we are approaching the end of paddling season. No paddler with any sense of safety will violate the "Rule of 190" and we are getting very close to those limits. For those of you not familiar with this rule, it simply states that when the sum of the water temp and the heat index is above 190 degF (90C) it is just too dangerous to paddle. This is due to the possibility of heat stroke, 2nd degree sunburn, and the long term danger of skin cancer. In trying to extend the season you abandon all unnecessary clothing (as much as modesty allows) to avoid heat stroke, but then you face the threat of debilitating sunburn. In as little as 2 hours you can be burned so bad that you become a mass of blisters and the skin pulls so tight you can not even use your arms (or legs for those on sit-on-tops). The great protection debate still rages, SPF 50 (wetsuit equivalent) or Zinc Oxide cream (drysuit equivalent). For those of us with fairer skin, neither is enough and we are left trying to find some protective clothing that does not cause heat stroke. I have been considering getting one of those aluminized suits that metal workers use and adding inside pockets to hold bags of frozen "blue ice". Rotary cooling in 90 degF (32C) water and 85% humidity does not do much good. In fact repeated rolling seems to slowly cook the brain. (Some down here say a cooked brain causes repeated rolling rather than the other way around but I disagree). There are some nice things about kayak camping this time of year. You do have "hot" water for bathing anytime. Campfires and stoves are unnecessary. A simple square of black, vinyl seat cover (preferrable from a 1970's vintage Pontiac) glued to the back deck heat's up engough for cooking eggs, stri-frying vegatables and cooking steaks (although well done is a little difficult). I wish I could figure out how to cook the food as a I paddle like the roast and potatoes done on the exhaust manifold as you drive to your campground, but I have not worked that out yet. Maybe someday I will have the Doug-like skill and courage to go out and face a dead calm sea at high noon under a blazing sun with boiling 90 degF water and scorching 105 deg air, but for now I'll try to stay cool and UV protected and get in as much paddling as possible until the conditions get just too tough. I can't help but longingly wish for 55 degF (13C) water and a nice cloudy 60 degF(15C) day with a cold drizzle. Unfortunately those wonderful days are few and far between. I'll make the best of it until the fall season starts again. Of course the fall brings its own hazards. There is the very dangerous threat of "WARM WATER DELIRIUM". This occurs during the first few cold fronts when the air temp drops into the 50's and the water temp stays near 80. Southern paddlers who capsize in these conditions find it so much more comfortable under the water than above, that they simply refuse to roll or wet exit. A tragic circumstance indeed. For those of you in the middle of your paddling season, have fun and be safe. For those in my situation, take care and remember that winter will be here soon (well maybe not exactly soon). Of course you can always get in the car and head north until you find some of that REALLY COLD 60 degF (18C) water. Apologies to Doug, but his latest posting just inspired me. Mark J. Arnold *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Sure has been an interesting day for email - what with Dr. Inverbon, the 190 degree rule, and Doug's wild paddling report, it's hard to separate fact from fiction, although I suspect the list above starts with fiction and goes to fact. Great paddling Doug. Mark, don't you think we should revise the "Rule of 190" to "Rule of 180"? Those of you in the northern reaches should know that by the end of summer, our water really is into the 90 degree range. I'm with Mark in thinking that being required by the "Rule of 100" to have serious thermal protection sounds like a GOOD thing as summer heats up here on the Gulf Coast. I remain as ever optimistic about 12 months of the year paddling for here. I've been amazed how many folks have turned out even for mid-summer trips, but I try to do them in the evenings (although highest temp of the day is often around 5 p.m.) and places that have shade - but not always. We're averaging 5-8 degrees above normal already this early in the season, so it's going to be a hot one for sure. End of the season, my foot, I'm gonna go paddling! See ya on the water - you can always recognize me out there by my broad-brimmed hat, and full sun protection of long sleeves and yes, even long pants. Well, ya gotta have some protection for your legs when you're paddling a decked boat without a sprayskirt. If you're wearing a 'skirt and practicing roto-cooling, well, as Mark says, it's not quite so cooling as other parts of the world but drippy wet and a good breeze still has some effect. Happy paddling! Natalie Wiest Galveston TX *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 6/4/01 12:51:15 PM Central Daylight Time, wiestn_at_tamug.tamu.edu writes: > Mark, don't you think we should revise the "Rule of 190" to "Rule of 180"? > Remember Natalie that the rule says 'YOU DO NOT PADDLE when above the limit". If we lower it to 180 we will have to stop paddling May 1st and not start again till Oct 1. . I was originally thinking it should be Rule of 200 in honor of that stretch of days last summer with 110+ heat indexes (fortunately I was up on Puget Sound freezing in what the locals called the "nice warm water"), but even down here there would not be enough overlimit days to justify even having the rule. You also wrote <I try to do them in the evenings (although highest temp of the day is often around 5 p.m.) and places that have shade > When I used to lead river any bayou trips, people commented on how neat it was that I kept changing sides of the river to catch the eddies and avoid the strongest current. Little did they know I was just trying to stay on the shady side. Mark J. Arnold Mark J. Arnold *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
I need some help with this 190 degree rule...well, at least with the sunburn issue Mark brought up. I use SPF 30 most of the time, but if summer ever does arrive in BC, and comes on like gangbusters, in the past I've often switched to SPF 50. I like the Pina Colada flavour. However, my wife can't stand the smell that permeates from every poor of my body and oozes out with sweat. I also get really bad diarhhea. She also complaines about the yellow coloration of my skin. What can I do about it? When the sun is semi-filtered, I usually only drink half a bottle instead of a full one. What am I doing wrong? doug 8-) *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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