Re: [Paddlewise] Homer Alaska

From: Michael Daly <michaeldaly_at_rogers.com>
Date: Tue, 5 Feb 2002 10:28:33 -0500
From: "Craig MacKinnon" <elroca_at_earthlink.net>

> ----- 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:
> [...]

I once took a skinny dip in a pool in John's Brook in the Adirondacks
during an early spring backpacking trip.  It was unusually warm (>20C)
for that time of year, but the water was snow melt coming down the 
mountain and wasn't much above freezing.  I jumped in, and started 
swimming for a rock in mid-stream about 25-30 feet away.  I barely
made it.  My muscles locked up and were useless little more than
halfway across.  I sat on the rock in the fetus position and shivered
in the sun, wondering how I was going to get back!

Believe me, freezing water can disable you very, very quickly if you're
not dressed for it.  I rather doubt that street clothes are much better
than naked in those conditions.

Mike

PS - I got of the rock and back to shore when I saw a troop of Girl
Guides hiking up the trail towards me!



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Received on Tue Feb 05 2002 - 07:26:46 PST

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