Re: [Paddlewise] Cold Water Clothing

Ralph wrote:

>Underwater times in excess of 60 minutes usually left us barely able
to control the shivering upon resurfacing, i.e., well along on the road
of hypothermia (I hasten to add that the situation was fully
controlled, that there were safety boats...

>The above should give you some corner posts for initial orientation. 
Shirley, I tell the "hairy chested" stories to illustrate that all the 
statistics and theoretical information will not replace personal trial
and error. 

The caveat that statistics and even your anecdotal corner posts will
not replace personal trial and error is a good one.  It would be
foolish for someone to say, "Ralph swam in it and was okay," I'll be
okay.  But, quite sane to say, "Ralph swam in it...it might not be so
bad...maybe I should swim and see how I react"

>Perhaps a swimming session with the entire group will improve comfort
levels ... or weed out those who are not up for it -- and if you're
afraid to get wet (or, in this case, wet and cold) better not to go
out.

Amen to that, too.  I think we've harped long enough to the
"unsuspecting masses" with a blanket statement that they should "wear
immersion protection".  That means very little to most.  An easier
'gospel to preach' would be--"have you swum in the water temperature
you're paddling in the gear you are wearing?"  Let them feel the biting
cold and come to their own conclusions.  It opens eyes! (and also
causes a lot of involuntary gasps!)

The only given is that we'll all tip sooner or later--that's probably
the fact to hang onto most tightly.

Shawn

__________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Web Hosting - establish your business online
http://webhosting.yahoo.com
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************