Re: [Paddlewise] Hypothermia Table

Ulli wrote:
A paddling, sailing, or surfing dry suit is nothing else than a jumpsuit 
made from waterproof fabric with latex gaskets around the 5 holes were 
various body parts stick out.
If it works, it will keep you dry, nothing else! That's it!

I remember well the bright, warm summer day I took an unsuspicious friend out 
for extended bracing and reentry practice. As he commonly paddled without PFD 
or skirt, let alone immersion apparrel, I wanted him not to be guiled by the 
warm summer sky's of Washington, but to face the realities of the 49 degree 
water just inches below his seat. After the third capsize I noted the 
increasing desperation of each reentry and called off the session. His skin 
chalk white and arms rattling like an ox running through bamboo reinforced 
his appetite for quality dry aparrel and the basic safety gear. Needing to 
reach him on the matter of safety, I was forced to do a live demo because my 
preaching was becoming a tiresome chant. 

I agree with Ulli that paddlers dry/wet aparrel are not meant for indefinite 
immersion. Rather, they enable the bottom dweller an extended time out of the 
cockpit prior to reentry. How much time is the subject at hand, however, 
lengthy immersion also requires quality hand, foot and headwear, as each 
digit needs to function well in an effort to assist one back into the boat.

Additionally, non breathable dry suits can be quite chilly in the water, as 
sweat soaked clothing vectors the ocean's cold straight to the skin where 
immediate contact is made with the skin and drysuit. The addition of layers 
helps with this but higher air temps can make that uncomfortable.

2 cents- Rob 

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