Re: [Paddlewise] Immersion Gear Revisited

In a message dated 11/8/2007 9:03:12 PM Pacific Standard Time,  
strosaker_at_yahoo.com writes:

Recently, there was a discussion about immersion gear here on  Paddlewise. 
Then I just received the SK mag email newsletter, which also had  info about 
immersion gear. Once again, people who wear immersion gear are made  out to be 
safe kayakers.

I think too much emphasis  is put on immersion gear at the expense of skills 
and judgment. Everytime a  kayaker dies of hypothermia, it seems the blame is 
put on not wearing any or  enough immersion gear. I disagree. I blame the 
hypothermia deaths on not  having the skills and judgment to stay out of the 
water. Sure, there is a time  and place for immersion gear, but I think a lot of 
people are using it to make  up for having less than enough skills and judgment. 
It's sort of like feeling  safe when driving recklessly because your car has 
an air bag and your seat  belt is on. 
 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
 
But the rub is we often don't know what we don't know. Judgement is  critical 
but we don't often know everything we need to know, particularly while  
paddling someplace new. My take on immersion apparel and skill development is to  
look where I'm at first what the water and air temps are, who I'm with, what 
the  water activity is like and then I match that with suitable immersion 
apparel  anyway. I've done a few trips in shorts and a long sleeve nylon shirt 
because it  was hot AND the water was warm. But usually, around here in the Pacific 
 Northwest I pretty much grab the drysuit all the time.
 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>



All immersion gear is doing is buying a  little more time in the water. If 
you are in the water and can't get back in  your kayak in a few minutes, you're 
not getting back in. If you're not close  enough to swim to shore or don't 
have a rescue on the way, and the water is  cold enough, you are going to die, 
even with immersion gear. Having the skills  and judgment to stay out of the 
water beats the best immersion  gear.

Don't get me wrong. There are times when I  wear immersion gear, mainly when 
surfing or practicing rolls and rescues.  Occasionally when the conditions are 
rough and I'm touring, I'll wear only  enough to be comfortable in case of a 
brief swim. But most of the time I'm  dressed for the air temperature, wind 
and some splashing. However, I also know  that at my skill and judgment level, 
the chances of me spending more than a  few minutes in the water are very 
small. For the same reason, I don't wear a  helmet in my car in case of a traffic 
accident.



>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
 
When I was in the Grand Canyon I didn't think I'd swim, but there I was Mr  
Carp in action, each roll overcome by succeeding waves until I finally popped  
out of the boat. My security was my crew, but I did wear some neoprene shorts  
and a vest under a drytop that flooded a bit. The water temps were about 52F, 
 the air about mid 80's F. With the neoprene tunnel of my deck not much water 
 flooded into the drytop but some did and that was why I wore the neo vest 
under  the drytop. Just an added layer of security while I was sorting things 
out. It  was no picnic getting out of the river, either, the whirlpools made 
sure they  kept me in for as long as they wanted. ; )  Glad I had that PFD on 
too, as  the term 'bottom time'  would have had a whole new meaning. All in all I 
 was prepared for a swim that I didn't think I would be having to make.
 
Doug Lloyd writes: "The issue of insulation is a bit of a red herring, if  
one assumes the 
inclusion of a drysuit as one's immersion apparel  corresponds with 
appropriate layers underneath for the conditions, etc.  Though, Duane does a 
service by reminding us about the false sense a  security a dry layer of 
synthetic material can leaves a paddler with."
 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Absolutely. Until one has had to spend quality time with the  backup devices 
of your choice in a cold body of water one is not  making decisions with the 
appropriate perspective. That takes alot of seat  time to develop and practice 
for.
 
Cheers,
 
Rob G




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