Re: [Paddlewise] Homer Alaska

From: Craig MacKinnon <elroca_at_earthlink.net>
Date: Tue, 5 Feb 2002 09:23:32 -0500
----- Original Message -----
From: "gordin warner" <hmgwarner_at_shaw.ca>
snip
>If you don't have immersion gear when paddling in cold water -
> don't go further offshore then you can swim in freezing water.
snip

which is probably not that far. For anyone interested, check out:

http://www.enter.net/~skimmer/coldwater.html

and scroll down to the bottom and read about the Marines crossing the
Potomac in '68. From the site, "They wore sweat suits. They had seat
cushions but no life jackets. The water temperature was 36 degrees F. None
of these men were able to swim the 100 yards to shore." Staying close to
shore is also problematic with near shore currents, rips, off shore winds,
etc. My rule is never to paddle cold water without appropriate immersion
clothing, regardless of how close to shore I intend to stay--the unexpected
happens, just read Deep Trouble.

Craig

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Received on Tue Feb 05 2002 - 06:18:54 PST

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