Re: [Paddlewise] scary sight

    Last April a paddler in our group became seasick.  Another paddler
wearing only a cotton t shirt and shorts followed her in through the surf to
the beach.  Both dumped and dragged themselves onto the beach.  The seasick
one dressed in fleece was a bit uncomfortable.  The one in cotton shorts and
shirt went mildly hypothermic and warmed up 45 minutes after changing her
clothes in camp and being wrapped in a blanket.  She is, shall we say,
naturally well insulated too. Air temp 68.  Water temp 59.  Distance to
beach, 100 yards.  Wind 15 mph.  Time of immersion well under 2 minutes.
    Late last May our group paddled  the Savannah River.  Water temp lower
60's. Air temp about 80. I was wearing a shortie wet suit and decided to
practice rolling about thirty feet from the boat ramp.  I blew the first one
and did a wet exit. I was in the water about three minutes while we did a
relaxed recovery.  When I paddled to the ramp I remarked to a surgeon in the
group that I was absolutely exhausted.  The surgeon remarked that I was a
surprising shade of pink.   It was quite an eye opener to see the  rapid
effects of a cool water immersion on a scrawny example of manhood like me.
Perhaps I really should drink more beer.

Jim et al

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ashton Treadway" <ashton_at_tundra.org>


> My rebuttal to this is 'things go wrong'. Immersion in water creates a
> heat imbalance. Sure, maybe you can get someone to shore in five minutes
> in perfect conditions. What happens when you can't, and they're immersed
> for a half hour, or they're caught in an unexpected rip, or they panic?
> Murphy, combined with Occam.

> > From: Peter Staehling <staehpj1_at_yahoo.com>

> > Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] scary sight
> > If the outfitter can have the paddler on a dry shore
> > in 75 degree air in a few minutes, then they don't
> > need a wetsuit in my mind.  Wearing shorts and a tee
> > shirt and carrying some warmer clothes seems prudent
> > to me in conditions where some folks wear wetsuits AND
> > sneer at those who don't.
> > Pete


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