Re: [Paddlewise] Safety in Recreational Kayaks

Niels said:

<<<<
About the use of PFD's and helmets:

Personally, I wear my kayak helmet in the house and in the street, to be
safe from falling objects or low clearings in doors. As soon as I hit
the open water in my kayak, I take the helmet off: Open water is the
least likely place to hit something with your head.
>>>>
<snip>

Yeah, water is fairly soft most of the time, though my water filter
company claims there is a problem in some areas with hard water. So, you
better wear it just in case. And don't forget to wear it when kayaking
around tropical islands with really short people if you are asked to
come in and tour their native homes. Other than that, don't you dare
paddle without your PFD -- Person Floating Device. Makes the Coast
Guard's job a lot easier trying to locate your dead, drowned,
hypothermic, crab-chewed, blue-lipped body.

And of course, I assume you always wear some kind of clothing. Seeing a
wrinlked, white-clammy/damp-skinned, gray body-haired, sunken-chested
European man in the raw can certainly be a real danger to your paddling
companions on a long crossing where they are already prone to vomiting.
You didn't mention clothing in your post, so I was a bit concerned,
knowing you European types.

Other than those issues, the only other thing you should always be
wearing while sea kayaking, is of course, your kayak -- though I've been
found at sea a few times not wearing my boat, but rather an expression
of embarresment and dismay. I'm thinking of making up a petition to send
to government asking for seat-belt legislation for cockpitted kayaks.
Anyone like to sign your name?

Doug (home, bored, wearing a Holter monitor that says on it "Do not get
wet". You think they could make waterproof units you can roll with!)


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