Re: [Paddlewise] staying calm, (was Boise/Proper Equipment)

On 4/5/05 11:38 AM, "bonnie13_at_earthlink.net" <bonnie13_at_earthlink.net> wrote:

> Good story about something that could have been a tragedy but the person had
> totally all the right gear & stayed calm & did all the right things.

Bonnie,

Thanks for forwarding the link to the list.

It is a beautiful day, and after a long, somewhat nasty winter of apartment
renovations and other un-pleasantries, I have paddling fever real bad. I
almost can't stand to look at the water...makes me want to spring (no pun
intended) for a dry-suit.

"Staying calm," is one of those phrases always included in any talk of
emergencies. It's common sense, of course, that a panicky individual only
exacerbates an emergency. We practice assisted and self-rescue, rolls (some
of us), and carry lots of equipment for use in an emergency. But "staying
calm," is an elusive little devil. There doesn't seem to be a kayaking book
or class that addresses this subject, and (thankfully) there is no equipment
that must be purchased to help with this problem. (Valium?)

When I was a kid, I had an experience that graphically demonstrated the
dangers of panic. I was carrying a smaller friend across a 30' stretch of
deeper water between two sandbars. I could keep my head above water, but he
couldn't and desperately wanted to join us on the outer bar. Halfway across,
he went berserk and began clawing my face and pushing me under the water.
Even though the water was only up to my neck, he nearly drowned both of us.
I was bleeding profusely from the scratches and incredulous at his behavior.

I have witnessed a half-dozen incidents while kayaking that could be
classified as emergencies. The reactions of the "victims," were very
different, ranging from jocular to near paralysis. These reactions didn't
really seem related to the severity of the situation, but rather to
personality, skill/confidence and level of fatigue.

As a musician/performer with decades of experience, I know about the
difficulties of stage-fright, which I think is a similar issue. I play a
wind instrument, so maintaining proper breathing is the key to not falling
to pieces in front of an audience. Since I'm an improviser creating music
without notes, the ability to quickly adapt to the unexpected and move on is
also part of the equation. For this, learning to suppress the rational
thought process and rely on instincts, was the prescribed training.
(Preferably without pharmacological intervention.)

One of the first things I do in confronting my own fear whether paddling or
playing the trombone (even more dangerous than paddling!), is focus on my
breathing. This is especially difficult (but necessary) in cold water. It is
also, I guess, one of the most important aspects of maintaining control
while submerged. I have noticed that the first sign of panic among fellow
paddlers is shallow/rapid breathing and constriction in the upper body.
(There maybe some things going on with the lower body too, but those are
thankfully hidden from view.)

I have found yoga, tai chi and having an "attitude," to be helpful. I'm not
sure if anyone offers attitude-cultivation workshops, but I think yoga and
martial-arts are excellent cross-training activities for paddlers.

I wonder what thoughts other list-members might have on this subject.

Best Regards to all,
Jeff

p.s. Can it be that someone on this list was so impolite as to tell someone
to STFU? Preposterous...that would never happen in Walla Walla.  :<)
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