[Paddlewise] 1-10-1

I was talking to a friend recently in a new church I just started to attend. 
I hadn't seen him for awhile and he mentioned they just had a funeral for a 
buddy who died in group canoe accident. They went over in a cold, northern 
BC river in a gnarly section. The unfortunate canoeist died of a heart 
attack in the water. I know Chuck Sutherland is the cold water shock slock, 
and plays like a stuck record on this point; but, I think he has a point in 
these sorts of cases.

I've always adhered to the 1-10-1 rule with respect to the colder waters of 
BC. Within the first minute, a rapid heart rate can occur, with possible 
fibrillation, and a gasp reflex can cause an unprepared paddler to encounter 
some supreme difficulties within 60 seconds. I dress accordingly, protect my 
head and neck, and remain panic-free through training and practice, staying 
fit, and keeping my head out of the water when I can. My out-of-production 
SeaSeat requires steady breathing to inflate, which also calms down 
breathing responses. Within the first ten minutes, significant dexterity 
loss can be experienced, so most of my self-rescue procedures are 
pre-emptive of going over that time frame. I also dress for immersion most 
often, and carry spare head-wear and gloves, and know my swim-distance 
restrictions and heat loss prevention strategies, and wear buoyancy aids. 
The next hour in the water, if you remain in the water, is the time frame 
many will succumb to swimming failure, drowning, or advancing hypothermia 
where the end prospects are not pleasant. I carry communication equipment 
and my least desirable, but ultimate back-up plans include time allowances 
for outside rescue incorporated into the hypothermia time frames.

With my weight down to a sinewy 160 and a smaller surface-frame area of my 5 
foot, 6 inches or so, I certainly will be extremely cognizant of my increase 
susceptibility to cold shock, swimming failure, and ultimately surviving 
long enough in the water to actually die from hypothermia (as opposed to 
drowning). Extra prudence should alleviate calling in rescue authorities, 
one would hope - and expect - from a responsible paddler.

Do paddlers who mature in years through our sport give more, or less thought 
to cold water immersion risks? I see more and more advanced paddlers out 
there dressing less and less for immersion, relying on skill, dressing more 
for comfort and air temps.

Doug Lloyd 
***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************