RE: [Paddlewise] Michigan Kayaker dies from hypothermia

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I have found the water temps on the Great Lakes (read Lake Michigan) to be
very deceiving. I live north of Chicago on the west shore of the lake. If
there is a strong westerly, the water can get pretty cold, even in
mid-summer. The converse is true with a wind from the east. I have been told
that it has to do with the warm top water being pushed toward one shore or
the other.

The lesson here is to never trust what I saw or experienced yesterday.
Recalibrate every time I go out.

Tony

-----Original Message-----
From: ralph diaz
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Michigan Kayaker dies from hypothermia


The big mistake was trying to troll his friend to shore, which it is
basically what he was doing having him pulled along in the water at the end
of line.  This was sure to jack up the cold water effect as the forward
motion would flush lots of cold water through his garments.  Also, in
effect, the fellow in the water was a sea anchor and that should have been
obvious.

He should have gotten him out of the water immediately as the Lakes do tend
to stay cold.  He could have had him spread eagle on the back of his boat.
If the victim on the back deck made the kayak feel extraordinarily tippy he
could have had the guy drop his legs into the water to lower the effective
center of gravity and act as sort of outriggers.

A one mile paddle back to shore would have taken an hour at most.


ralph diaz
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