Re: [Paddlewise] Cold Water Clothing

Joe said:

<snip>
<<<From what you are saying with regard to your paddling predilections,
proper precautions would be of far greater importance than absolute
protection against cold water -- an illusory goal anyway.>>>
<snip>

Well, that's true for touring paddlers. Though I like to stack the odds
in favor of "functional" time, if not "survival" time. I consider
factors like skill level, water conditions, other marine hazards,
knowledge and recent practice with wet entries, available back up aids,
and other such matters as determinative to what I should be wearing to
provide a given functional time to get back in the kayak and underway.

To achieve that goal, you will have to dress somewhat for the water
temperature (and take into consideration things like wind speed, which
can hasten heat loss during re-entry attempts, significantly). In really
cold, rough water, with wind and without assistance, it may take some
time to complete your rescue (and I do mean complete, which implies
safely paddling underway again).

Having said that, there are simply no rules in regard to any of this,
and paddlers would do well to understand this notion, accept it, and
promulgate it. What matters is fully comprehending the choices one makes
with regard to paddling apparel, engaging yourself at a conscious level,
and erring on the side of caution -- or accepting the consequences of
less conservative choices. Some of my better-skilled paddling
acquaintances are moving back to the more traditional British
practicality of simply wearing comfortable fleece garments with shell
protection. I'm not going to fault these guys necessarily. I paddled
with such attire for the first ten years. They use a buddy system off
season (especially),  make conservative route choices, and practice
utmost vigilance with respect to weather conditions and the like.

While club trips need some "rules" to provide blanket protection on a
variety of fronts, it is the development of good risk-management
techniques that give paddlers the advantage in cold-water environments,
risk management being an all-inclusive endeavor.

For myself, I will not forget my incident in cold water off Trial
Island, where paddle breakage, failed R&R's, difficult deployment of
rescue aids, lack of head and hand protection, etc., meant a long
(relatively speaking) swim in cold water. In the end, a minimum 3-mil
Farmer John and paddling jacket, plus the previously perfected skill of
paddling a fully swamped kayak in turbulent waters (and a happy
encounter with searching authorities) resulted in a good outcome. But I
was at far end of "functional." Without functional, working hands,
without core heat providing brain cells and neurons with adequate warmth
to think and act, and without suppleness and flexibility and cramp-free
muscle mobility and movement, the functionality needed to self-rescue in
a timely manner or deal quickly with complications was severely
diminished.

I just finished expressing myself in response to a letter-to-the-editor
over an article appearing in Sea Kayaker magazine, where I
overwhelmingly endorsed the use of dry suits for Arctic paddling. An
outfitter took great exception to the exclusivity of dry suit
recommendation over the anti-exposure suits commonly provided for guided
trips. The exchange between the outfitter, myself, and the editor was
fairly lengthy, though I'm sure it may be edited down in the next
upcoming issue. Anyway, the upshot is that it all comes down to
understanding the pros and cons of one's apparel choice, and highlights
the fact that there are no perfect solutions. On a hot day, in near
freezing water, a dry suit is going to fill to the ankles with
perspiration, even with rotary cooling, etc.,  -- where competency
allows such cooling techniques. Yet, a more adventurous paddler in
windy, cold water conditions, is going to appreciate a dry suit for
things other than "functional" survival time, like keeping freezing
water from running up a garment's sleeves, etc. There are so many
considerations to reflect.

At best, we can offer our comments, recommendations, personal
observations and experiences, and hope each new generation  learns to
understand and deal with the multi-faceted nature of decision making
with respect to all aspects of paddling, not least of which is one's
paddling apparel.

<snip>
<<< In your case, plan you[r] wardrobe for short-term immersion but
long-term heat recovery.   Joe P. >>>

Well stated Joe, with consideration to my own experiences (and others)
with the even somewhat fallacious notion of the adequacy of short-term
protection not providing enough of a fudge-factor for various
complications. But, I'll let your comment stand as fairly
state-of-the-art. Can I use it sometime?   :-)

Doug Lloyd (cold-water, weekend warrior)



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