Re: [Paddlewise] Cold Water Clothing

From: Doug Lloyd <dalloyd_at_telus.net>
Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2003 00:11:05 -0800
Matt said:

>snip<
>>The University of Victoria on Vancouver Island studied hypothermia back
then too. I imagine they may have tested different clothing and survival
suits for heat loss as well.<<

I did a fair bit of research for an article in SK Mag on the Baffin tragedy.
I accessed a fair amount of information, as well as spoke with personnel
involved with the UVIC research. The Ministry of Health building where I
work had a fair amount of material too. Anyway, the upshot of the research
went directly (or perhaps indirectly) toward the development of the Mustang
Classic Floater Coat with its deployable drop-down neoprene beavertail
hypothermia protection, this being the outcome of some of the research I
suppose (slowing down core temperature-loss through the groin area).
Additionally, as you may recall, the Sea Seat was also developed - but never
caught on.

During my research, there was a definite bias toward drysuits with those I
talked to, due to the fact that the drysuit prevented direct skin contact
with water (and assuming insulation values were apparent with
undergarments). Wetsuits had their place too, but not in the thickness we
associate with paddling, normally. Right or wrong, I summarized my
recommendations in the article. Right or wrong, I have my own ideas with
respect to what I wear, and when. Right or wrong, all paddlers have to make
a choice every time they head out -- and sometimes the choice was right, and
sometimes it wasn't.

Doug Lloyd
Victoria BC

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"Whatever can be said at all can be said clearly and whatever cannot be said
clearly should not be said at all."
Ludwig Wittgenstein
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Received on Thu Mar 13 2003 - 00:11:28 PST

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