Re: [Paddlewise] swim for it?

Well, getting back into your boat is the most obvious answer for kayakers - 
if you know what you are doing. Next to that, if a capsized boat of any 
description offers reasonable support out of most of the water and rescue is 
eventually possible, then don't swim. A friend of mine did just that with a 
flooded rec boat and his pleas for help carried across the bay and he was 
eventually saved. Given the currents in the area he capsized, it was a good 
decision. Though he was yelling for help like a drowning puppy, he actually 
remained calm and thought through his decisions.

I've swam a number of times in the ocean by accidental immersion - if one 
can even maintain going in the water as a paddler should be considered in 
the same category as an accident. Dexterity goes quickly, but swim-ability 
can deteriorate more slowly. There are many variables. Unless I'm well 
prepared for immersion in colder waters, anything over half a mile, for me, 
I'd generally not try and make shore. I have swam that distance without my 
boat wearing fleece/raingear. It's doable. It's difficult.

I really encourage folks to try some cold water distance-oriented swimming 
in their various seasonal paddling attire, while at the same time ensuring 
you do it under controlled circumstances of course. It can be a real eye 
opener. I'll bet those fellows from the Howe Sound incident would have given 
their crossing a second thought if some of them had previously had to 
practice swimming in similar conditions more than say, 500 meters.

Fit paddlers with extra body fat probably might fare better. Why can I hear 
"Chocolate Brain" in the back of my mind? :-)

Joviality aside, Polar Bear swim-club events aside, and apart from the 
obvious multitude of mitigating factors that suggest some sudden-swimmers 
fare better than others in cold water, the fact of the matter is people in 
my province die on a regular basis from cold-water immersion. I'd like to 
see outdoor magazines cover the subject of exposure with greater emphasis. 
Just my opinion.Oh yeah, that's what you asked for Chuck.

BTW, I read somewhere that if the water isn't cold enough to kill you from 
hypothermia, then the probable threat is likely sharks! Poor sharks, always 
getting a bum rap.

Doug



> Boat capsized? Advice changes on what to do
> <http://www.thestar.com/printArticle/229808>  thestar.com (06-27-
> 07)
> Is this our best advice?
>
> Chuck Sutherland
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