Re: [Paddlewise] cold water class

Very interesting! Who ran the class and what did they cover in it?
Was the class well attended? How was the class structured? I 
know how these classes are run here in the northeast, but I haven't 
heard of other folks doing it. How did you like the class?



Hi!
   I found a Meetup group (_www.meetup.com_ (http://www.meetup.com) ) in my 
area.  The Meetup groups may concern any topic. There are two groups in the 
Seattle area, the NW Kayak Polo and WW Paddlers, and the Seattle Area Sea Kayak 
group.
    The Sea Kayak Group put on the class, which was actually labeled the 
Winter Skills Session.  Experience levels of the attendees ranged from 1 month to 
several years of kayaking, and there were lots of experienced persons to help.
     First part of the class was on land and went well (everyone had outdoor 
experience so the concept of layering was not new to anyone). Went over 
clothing, local conditions (Puget Sound 46 degrees F, about 7 degrees Celsius), 
tides, predominant winds from the sound, very influenced by local conditions, if 
the wind is northerly watch out. Also use of weather stations, VHF radios, cell 
phones as there is good coverage in this area. What to carry in the way of 
emergency clothing and such, influenced by how many people in the group. Quite a 
while spent on cold shock and hypothermia. Some emergency first aid info.
      Next we all went and soaked our heads.  Twenty minutes in Lake 
Washington, probably low 50's for temp (10 C), in whatever we had shown up in.  
Instructor had a Farmer John on (He also had told us how he works to become 
acclimated to the cold water). He had us swimming with PFD's, practicing positions to 
stay warm alone or with others, and then became a hypothermia victim (faceup) 
and was towed to shore and we went over proper support measures for this 
situation.
     Then in the kayaks and two hours of rescue practice, most of it 
involving getting the capsized person on the back deck of the kayak to get them out of 
the water quickly.  One hysterical victim, capsizing rescuers kayaks as 
possible (I grabbed his empty kayak so stayed in) .  Re-entry from the back deck, 
discussion of how to deal with victim who couldn't reenter, trading off 
partners and trying not to lose all the stuff you let go of.
     Main instructor owns a nearby kayak store.  This was only sponsored by 
the Metope group, no official (as in, government) sponsors. Total scheduled 
time was 4 hours.  Very worthwhile class, good review for what I knew, all 
information packaged a bit differently than at the symposiums.
     After the class I traded kayaks with the person I did most of the rescue 
work with, and found out what a kayak WITHOUT good secondary stability is 
like when you try to brace. So I practiced my self rescue.  Then I went home, 37 
miles (just over 60 km) each way.  Not sure how often I can get to their 
meetings but this one was worthwhile!
                 Pam in Washington



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