[Paddlewise] How safe-error

I think I forgot a factor at the end of that last safety post.

There is an unknown here that is quite important in reaching a 
conclusion regarding relative safety on cold water. I think most 
trained paddlers do in fact wear pfds and wet/drysuits when out on 
cold water. No doubt we have fewer "accidents" (training 
opportunities) than novices do. However, when such accidents 
happen, being dressed for immersion, it must be a really 
remarkable event for such accidents to result in a death.

We can not know, from available information, how many deaths 
would result to trained paddlers if none of them wore PFDs and 
wet/drysuits.

I can say that, many years ago, a highly skilled paddler went out 
alone for a little cruise on a fine winter day on the great lakes. He 
was using a new unfeathered paddle for the first time. He capsized 
and was found dead later that day. He was not wearing a wetsuit. I 
don't remember if he wore a pfd. 

Another solo paddler capsized with his drysuit open at the neck 
because the November day was warm. He also died.

The marathon racer that capsized when a wind front arrived on the 
Potomac River a couple years back was wearing a pfd but no 
wet/dry suit. It was cold water paddling. He was found dead on the 
shore the next morning. He was out alone and there were no 
witnesses. He left two young daughters and his wife.

I could continue for many pages-but I bet you get the message 
here.

Chuck Sutherland
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