RE: [Paddlewise] Poncho as Storm Caige

Hi Derek,

It's fine when submerged, you can wash it in the washing machine w/o soap a
few times to soften it and make it less noisy. But since his is dyed, it
looks like it might be softened some already.

BUT - I would be concerned about a drowning hazard when in the water. I have
a silnylon poncho that I like real well for hiking in the rain here in
Florida where the temp is warm and I need the veltilation. I took my poncho
with me in the day hatch as I paddled the canal in the back yard. A shower
passed so I smugly put the poncho on over my pfd and spray skirt and all.
Granted I didn't cut it down as I want to hike with it. But seeing how the
material floated in the water and it had a mind of it's own made me take it
off right away. I could easily see the poncho invert over my head, and since
it would be coming from all sides it could be a while before I found my way
out of the entanglement. And being water proof, it is also breath proof.

I would only use something that was form fitting that you know would stay
out of your face while swimming. To me that means either a real heavy
material that you'll be able to feel your way out of, and I don't really
like that idea either, or a form fitting paddling top that you can swim in.
Preferably the latter. I could see making a paddling jacket out of silnylon
and custom sizing it to fit over my PFD, with elastic on the bottom so it
would cinch up below the PFD and stay out of my face while swimming. Sleeves
long or short as you see fit.

So, if you were going to cut the Tyvek down, make sure it will stay out of
your face somehow. Any probably doesn't count. Since it has a zipper, if you
make it fit you snugly it might be OK. But do test it out in a pool or beach
in shallow water with a buddy standing in waist deep water to sort you out
if needed.

Cheers,

Carey

The fabric used is "Tyvek. 1460uv"  Does anybody know
what happens to this fabric does when submurged in
water?

http://www.goodlingoutdoor.com/Poncho.html
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