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From: rebyl_kayak <rebyl_kayak_at_energysustained.com>
subject: [Paddlewise] How long would you wait - (was Kayaks and Visibility)
Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 22:43:41 +1000
G'Day Craig and Paul,

Something I've not covered is the situation regarding the NSW Maritime Code as
it applys to kayakers along the coast. Before I describe it from a kayaking
perspective thought I'd try to set the background with a scenario and
question. One I've been meaning to ask Paddlewisers for a long time.

Imagine you are the leader of a group either formally through signing an
agreement at the start of a trip or informally 'elected' as the most
experienced member in a troublesome situation.

There are five of you paddling north on a moonless, cloudless night about a
kilometer off the east coast. This stretch of coast is mostly uninhabited
cliffs with no landing. The cliff line runs roughly south to north between a
harbour and a beach 10km north of the harbour. The beach has no significant
surf. . There are bommies every so often within 50m to 200m of the cliffs.
There are no bars, or tide races en route. You have left a trip plan with the
local coastal patrol.

The sea is showing white caps and is 1.5 metres on top of a 2 to 3 metre
southerly swell. The wind is around 12 to 15 knots from the North East,
expected to turn NW later in the evening. Forecasts in this area are usually
reliable. You and your buddy are strong paddlers, very experienced in paddling
at night. The three others are strong paddlers well used to these conditions
for day time paddling. but their night time paddling has been in harbours and
estuaries and they are a bit nervous. All of you know each other, and all have
well practiced rescue, roll and self rescue skills in these sea conditions.
There are no VHF repeater stations along the cliff. You've chucked your ipods
and sunglasses into the sea where they have been stolen by beautiful
mermaids:~)

* How would you ensure you didn't lose a member of the group

* If you did lose a member of the group how much time would you spend
searching before calling for help. What methods would you use for the search
and for the call?

* If it were daytime how much time would you spend searching before calling
for help. What methods would you use?

BTW occasionally I lead trips like this during the day when called on by my
mates, but although I've also led night time paddles I wouldn't lead a paddle
like the one described. One or two of my very capable friends do and describe
them well. Of course the point I'm trying to make is pretty obvious, but I'm
keen to hear a broader view.

All the best, PeterO
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From: Paul Hayward <pdh_at_mmcl.co.nz>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] How long would you wait - (was Kayaks and Visibility)
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 05:26:27 +1200
Peter

In response to your 'a scenario and a question' - great exercise.
May I try it on our club leaders sometime ?

So I'm feeling stupidly brave and I'll risk a response - with the hope that
I'll be torn apart quite ruthlessly ;-)

Best Regards
Paul Hayward, Auckland, New Zealand


** How would you ensure you didn't lose a member of the group

I have done this sort of thing only 3 times at night, in rather smaller seas
and swell. You do want to have confidence in your group members and
confidence in the weather.

The easiest way not to lose a member would be to call it off - and that
should be the decision if the risk-mitigation doesn't stack up.

In NZ, if there was a chance of a NW wind, there would be some chance of a
WNW wind. I'd be very interested in how likely a W wind might be - from a
weather check before setting out. Any likelihood of an offshore 15+ knot
wind in the dark would have me saying "no thanks". I wouldn't attempt it
without my local leeward string of offshore islands as a Plan-Z destination.
We have a saying "Next stop, Chile'.

So, if we get over that hump, I'll hold you to that 'cloudless' - with
reliable forecasting bet.

Then, I am assuming some starshine - so you have visibility for perhaps 100m
if you are not being blinded by any on-board lights. If it were here in NZ,
we could douse any bright lights and attach low-output chem-lights to our
chin-strapped hats, PFDs or light/flag masts (if you have them) so that your
visible range (visible to each other) is extended. Best if they are on YOU
and not the boat - as you are more interested in the paddler.

I would expect that you all carry VHFs - as personal-safety kit, worn on you
- not the kayak. Our favoured ship-to-ship (ie: non-repeater) channel here
is Ch.6 - and I'd expect each group member to monitor that, in case any of
the group needs to make contact via radio - for whatever reason. I'd also do
a radio check every half hour.

In this sea-state, kayak stability would be an issue during VHF use.
Something like a Nordkapp would need more attention than a Sea Bear during a
VHF chat. One element in the risk-assessment... 

I'd also expect hand-held flares (flame not smoke) - again on YOU and not
just on/in the kayak. Also split paddles (each - or at least one for the
group) or paddle-leashes for those without a split-paddle.

This level of gear doesn't guarantee anything - but it's fair to say that
it's absence does indicate a worrying belief in invulnerability.

>From the start - ie: in the harbour - I'd form up the group into a
line-abreast pod formation - with the two night-experienced paddlers at each
end of the line. I'd get each of the five paddlers comfortable with both
recognising and keeping an eye on the guys/gals 'next door'. In those wind &
sea conditions, regular contact and even conversation is still going to be
possible.

I wouldn't tolerate any departure from this line-abreast formation going
upwind, Coming home (I assume we're going to come back home downwind ?) will
pose a greater challenge for the group to stay together as the surfing
opportunities differ across the row. It may be looser, but the same
formation should still be possible.

I'd have an agreed process for assisted rescue - with the three inner (and
somewhat weaker) paddlers having a plan for rescuing each other if their
roll fails. Self-recovery is good, assisted is faster and the pod should -
must - stay together through all recoveries. Responsibility for assistance
to the two 'end' paddlers (if they should need it) should also be made clear
to their neighbours. 

I'd also stress early reporting of any slippage in self-confidence or
queasiness or dizziness - any reduction of fitness level - whoever might be
experiencing this. Put it that it is a courtesy to the group to alert them
to a change in the group's health.

Then I'd number-off and repeat that number-off call pretty regularly during
the paddle. If someone's not responding - you stop, look & VHF. If you're
one down - then we've just failed question one...

** If you did lose a member of the group how much time
** would you spend searching before calling for help.
** What methods would you use for the search and for 
** the call?

The course of action I'd take here is pretty immediate - but that is based
on having run a tight ship up to this point. On a easier & looser trip,
there would be more scope for simply mislaying someone with no immediate
concern that they were in deep trouble.

So, I would first consider carefully the likelyhood of the member having
fallen behind or having shot ahead. I would be damn worried if I couldn't
make VHF contact - that would make me think they were likely in the water -
and behind. They might of course, be ahead with their radio off / wrong
channel / muted.

I'd determine when the last certain sighting of the missing member was and
where the group was right now - either by GPS or best guess.

Knowledge of the route's VHF/cellphone coverage - and likely SAR (Search &
Rescue) capabilities - would be a key determinant here. It sounds like I
would have that local knowledge in this scenario.

If I had Ch 16 contact with a SAR station, I'd have one member keep working
Ch 6 (calling the missing member) while I logged an incident on Ch 16 as a
Pan-Pan - with the information I'd just determined. I would also state that
I was commencing a 10 minute downwind search as a group of four. If no
success, I would upgrade that to a Mayday.

If I had no Ch 16 response (either direct or via another vessel), I would
try Ch 6 & 8 for other vessels (to use as possible repeaters) and then try
for cell-phone contact with a SAR station.

Failing that, but in the knowledge that there was a competent (several
vessel and/or chopper) SAR capability - I would head back for the harbour to
raise an alarm. 

If I knew that I was going to have no VHF cover and no cellphone cover - or
that the SAR capability was crap - I think I'd be at home. Should've said
that at the top...

If I were within 2.5 km of the beach - and if I knew that the beach offered
a reliable comms-link of some sort (phone, cell-coverage, VHF), I would
carry on there instead - I'd get an alert logged faster. 

But the harbour should be less than an hour away (downwind - even if I'm at
the beach) and an early SAR alert would appeal to me more than an extended
search effort from the height of a sea-kayak seat.

If heading for the harbour, I'd go slow and in a search pattern line-abreast
for the first 10 minutes - with head torches or bright lights now on to look
for reflective tape and to indicate to the missing member that the search
was on and a flare might be a good move... If heading on for the beach (see
above), I'd still do a 10-minute downwind search first. 

I would have to soul-search very hard before I would split the group.

** If it were daytime how much time would you spend searching
** before calling for help. What methods would you use?

Probably spend 5 minutes looking downwind first - covering a much larger
visual range than at night - by virtue of a several-times wider spacing
between the 4 searchers. Then a Pan-Pan, then 15 minutes more searching
before a Mayday. If no comms until land, pretty much the night-time thinking
& behaviour. 

OK ball's in your court - I'm going to bed.
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From: Doug Lloyd <douglloyd_at_shaw.ca>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] How long would you wait - (was Kayaks and Visibility)
Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 14:06:52 -0700
Id have the two most exerieced paddlers each buddy up with one other paddler 
and they would have to be in contact with each others at all times (the two 
paddlers). I'd float myself between the two pods maintaing contact with both 
alternatiningly. I'd have a clipped-to-PFD-mic for my VHF; all members would 
have a VHF. We'ed all have glow sticks on our hats and flares ready to go.

Alternatively, I just go alone.

Doug Lloyd



> G'Day Craig and Paul,
>
> Something I've not covered is the situation regarding the NSW Maritime 
> Code as
> it applys to kayakers along the coast. Before I describe it from a 
> kayaking
> perspective thought I'd try to set the background with a scenario and
> question. One I've been meaning to ask Paddlewisers for a long time.
>
> Imagine you are the leader of a group either formally through signing an
> agreement at the start of a trip or informally 'elected' as the most
> experienced member in a troublesome situation.
>
> There are five of you paddling north on a moonless, cloudless night about 
> a
> kilometer off the east coast. This stretch of coast is mostly uninhabited
> cliffs with no landing. The cliff line runs roughly south to north between 
> a
> harbour and a beach 10km north of the harbour. The beach has no 
> significant
> surf. . There are bommies every so often within 50m to 200m of the cliffs.
> There are no bars, or tide races en route. You have left a trip plan with 
> the
> local coastal patrol.
>
> The sea is showing white caps and is 1.5 metres on top of a 2 to 3 metre
> southerly swell. The wind is around 12 to 15 knots from the North East,
> expected to turn NW later in the evening. Forecasts in this area are 
> usually
> reliable. You and your buddy are strong paddlers, very experienced in 
> paddling
> at night. The three others are strong paddlers well used to these 
> conditions
> for day time paddling. but their night time paddling has been in harbours 
> and
> estuaries and they are a bit nervous. All of you know each other, and all 
> have
> well practiced rescue, roll and self rescue skills in these sea 
> conditions.
> There are no VHF repeater stations along the cliff. You've chucked your 
> ipods
> and sunglasses into the sea where they have been stolen by beautiful
> mermaids:~)
>
> * How would you ensure you didn't lose a member of the group
>
> * If you did lose a member of the group how much time would you spend
> searching before calling for help. What methods would you use for the 
> search
> and for the call?
>
> * If it were daytime how much time would you spend searching before 
> calling
> for help. What methods would you use?
>
> BTW occasionally I lead trips like this during the day when called on by 
> my
> mates, but although I've also led night time paddles I wouldn't lead a 
> paddle
> like the one described. One or two of my very capable friends do and 
> describe
> them well. Of course the point I'm trying to make is pretty obvious, but 
> I'm
> keen to hear a broader view.
>
> All the best, PeterO
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From: Craig Jungers <crjungers_at_gmail.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] How long would you wait - (was Kayaks and Visibility)
Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 19:37:21 -0700
My lack of local knowledge makes this difficult; especially trying to
outguess the weather. But I think there are too many paddlers. I'd prefer
one-on-one for experienced to inexperienced so one of the newbies will have
to stay home tonight. This will make two teams of two paddlers. They should
stick together no matter what.

Each paddler should have on his/her person:

VHF
GPS
Hand Held Pen Flares (if available, otherwise any maritime emergency flare)
Ginger (for nausea)
Tow Belt
3 cyalume chemical lightsticks
Combination Strobe and Steady PFD-mounted light
LED waterproof flashlight
Drysuits
Protein snacks
Drinking water

Because of the difficulty communciating with SAR along the proposed route it
seems prudent to me to arrange for a launch or powerboat to accompany the
paddlers. It's a short route (10k) but the increased ability of a launch to
communciate (25w VHF and high gain antenna) would increase safety. The
launch would also relieve the paddlers of taking care of an incapacitated
paddler who succumbs to sea sickness.

All paddlers should be briefed regarding the risks of sea sickness and
instructed to take ginger at the first symptoms (lethargy and mild nausea).
Ginger is a proven remedy for sea sickness and is cheap and easy to get.

If one paddler goes missing the trip leader should immediately notify the
launch and all persons should mark a waypoint on their GPS units. The launch
should attempt to contact the missing paddler via VHF and visual means and
drop back as much as one nautical mile while searching. If no sight of the
missing paddler(s) the launch should initiate a pan-pan call on VHF channel
16. The remaining three paddlers should group together and keep a sharp
lookout for the missing paddler pending a decision to continue to the
destination.

After 15 minutes of seaching the launch should initiate SAR communications;
this might require that the launch move to a position where VHF contact is
possible.

If any paddler loses the rest of the group (s)he should be instructed to
activate the strobe light on the PFD, call the launch on the VHF channel
agreed upon, attempt to re-enter the kayak but if unable to do that stay
with the kayak and await help.

NOTES: If the paddle were along a coastline where there were possible
landing zones and better communications with SAR authorities I would not
require the launch. But given the two new paddlers and the risk of sea
sickness on a night paddle in the open ocean I think it would be prudent.


Craig Jungers
Moses Lake, WA
www.nwkayaking.net
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From: Emile Zen <emilezen_at_yahoo.com>
subject: [Paddlewise] Ginger (was: How long... (was Kayaks and Visibility))
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 01:57:33 -0700 (PDT)
Hello Craig,

Can you (or anyone) provide references for the research on
ginger for treating nausea?

Thanks,

Emile
 
________________________________
From: Craig Jungers <crjungers_at_gmail.com>
To:
rebyl_kayak <rebyl_kayak_at_energysustained.com>
Cc: pdh_at_mmcl.co.nz;
PaddleWise_at_paddlewise.net
Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 2009 10:37:21 PM
Subject:
Re: [Paddlewise] How long would you wait - (was Kayaks and Visibility)

Ginger
is a proven remedy for sea sickness and is cheap and easy to get.
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From: Craig Jungers <crjungers_at_gmail.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Ginger (was: How long... (was Kayaks and Visibility))
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 07:07:05 -0700
On Thu, Jul 2, 2009 at 1:57 AM, Emile Zen <emilezen_at_yahoo.com> wrote:

> Hello Craig,
>
> Can you (or anyone) provide references for the research on
> ginger for treating nausea?
>
>
A television in the US called "Mythbusters" set up an elaborate scheme to
test motion sickness remedies. The short answer is that ginger was the only
remedy that kept the two subjects from getting motion sick (vomiting)
without serious side effects. I can't find the actual episode (43) that you
can download but their testing scheme looked pretty well done to me.

Annotated information:
http://kwc.org/mythbusters/2005/11/episode_43_seasickness_cures_f.html

>From the Mythbustersresults site:

"Seasickness can be cured by taking a ginger pill.

confirmed

Both Adam and Grant made it through their spin-chair sessions without
feeling ill."
(Link: http://mythbustersresults.com/episode43)

Then there is this: http://www.healthcastle.com/ginger.shtml which has a
short paragraph on research:

"Conducted by Svensborg Hospital in Denmark, seasickness trial and clinical
study have shown that ginger was as effective as over-the-counter drugs in
dealing with motion sickness. It is indeed a safer option that OTC drugs
which cause drowsiness. Another clinical study conducted by Department of
Anesthesiology at St. Bartholomew's Hospital in London showed that 1g of
ginger powder was as effective at preventing postoperative nausea and
vomiting as the tranquilizer commonly used by hospitals and much safer."


Craig Jungers
Moses Lake, WA
www.nwkayaking.net
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From: <jvolin_at_optonline.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Ginger (was: How long... (was Kayaks and Visibility))
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 17:34:54 +0000
I have used ita gave some powdered ginger to a paddle who was feeling queasy in some choppy water.   He mixed it in some water & drank it & was able to continue paddling.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

-----Original Message-----
From: Craig Jungers <crjungers_at_gmail.com>

Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:07:05 
To: Emile Zen<emilezen_at_yahoo.com>
Cc: <PaddleWise_at_paddlewise.net>
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Ginger (was: How long... (was Kayaks and  Visibility))


On Thu, Jul 2, 2009 at 1:57 AM, Emile Zen <emilezen_at_yahoo.com> wrote:

> Hello Craig,
>
> Can you (or anyone) provide references for the research on
> ginger for treating nausea?
>
>
A television in the US called "Mythbusters" set up an elaborate scheme to
test motion sickness remedies. The short answer is that ginger was the only
remedy that kept the two subjects from getting motion sick (vomiting)
without serious side effects. I can't find the actual episode (43) that you
can download but their testing scheme looked pretty well done to me.

Annotated information:
http://kwc.org/mythbusters/2005/11/episode_43_seasickness_cures_f.html

>From the Mythbustersresults site:

"Seasickness can be cured by taking a ginger pill.

confirmed

Both Adam and Grant made it through their spin-chair sessions without
feeling ill."
(Link: http://mythbustersresults.com/episode43)

Then there is this: http://www.healthcastle.com/ginger.shtml which has a
short paragraph on research:

"Conducted by Svensborg Hospital in Denmark, seasickness trial and clinical
study have shown that ginger was as effective as over-the-counter drugs in
dealing with motion sickness. It is indeed a safer option that OTC drugs
which cause drowsiness. Another clinical study conducted by Department of
Anesthesiology at St. Bartholomew's Hospital in London showed that 1g of
ginger powder was as effective at preventing postoperative nausea and
vomiting as the tranquilizer commonly used by hospitals and much safer."


Craig Jungers
Moses Lake, WA
www.nwkayaking.net
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From: John Clinton <jcbikeski_at_gmail.com>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Ginger (was: How long... (was Kayaks and Visibility))
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 12:19:58 -0700
Where might one find powdered ginger?  Sounds like a good thing to pack in
case any in a group gets sick -- could really help some trip.

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net
[mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net] On Behalf Of jvolin_at_optonline.net
Sent: Thursday, July 02, 2009 10:35 AM
To: Craig Jungers; owner-paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net; Emile Zen
Cc: PaddleWise_at_paddlewise.net
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Ginger (was: How long... (was Kayaks and
Visibility))

I have used ita gave some powdered ginger to a paddle who was feeling queasy
in some choppy water.   He mixed it in some water & drank it & was able to
continue paddling.
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From: Craig Jungers <crjungers_at_gmail.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Ginger (was: How long... (was Kayaks and Visibility))
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 12:27:59 -0700
On Thu, Jul 2, 2009 at 12:19 PM, John Clinton <jcbikeski_at_gmail.com> wrote:

> Where might one find powdered ginger?  Sounds like a good thing to pack in
> case any in a group gets sick -- could really help some trip.
>

Try health food stores or candy suppliers.


Craig Jungers
Moses Lake, WA
www.nwkayaking.net
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From: Richard Culpeper <culpeper_at_tbaytel.net>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Ginger (was: How long... (was Kayaks and Visibility))
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 15:55:52 -0400
I heard that she was on Gilligan's island.

-----Original Message-----
From: John Clinton

Where might one find powdered ginger?  Sounds like a good thing to pack in
case any in a group gets sick -- could really help some trip.
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From: Chris Broome <cbroome_at_calpoly.edu>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Ginger
Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:50:36 -0700
Many supermarkets carry it in the 'Spices' section.

Penzeys is a good online source - http://www.penzeys.com

-- Chris Broome
Morro Bay, CA

*************************************************************************

John Clinton wrote:
> Where might one find powdered ginger?  
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From: Dave Kruger <kdruger_at_pacifier.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Ginger
Date: Sun, 05 Jul 2009 18:29:22 -0700
The candied stuff can be found in most natural foods stores, including the 
bulk sections of enlightened supermarkets, etc.  Powdered ginger will have 
lost a lot of its punch from evaporation/oxidation.  I've never tried 
ginger as an anti-nausea treatment.  Certainly works to calm my tummy, 
though.  Some folks can not tolerate it at all.

Scope patches work well for me, but they do make me a bit weird.  My son 
worked as a charterboat deckhand out of Depoe Bay, OR one season and was on 
the stuff for almost 2 months straight.  Not recommended.  Scope (aka 
scopolamine) is strictly a prescription item: 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scopolamine

Dramamine works for some, but has some of the same side effects of scope. 
Being OTC, it is an easier find.  Takes a while to work, so you need to 
dose up the night before.  Ditto for a scope patch.

Dramamine (aka dimenhydrinate):  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimenhydrinate

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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From: Darryl Johnson <Darryl.Johnson_at_sympatico.ca>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Ginger
Date: Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:22:43 -0400
Dave Kruger wrote:
> The candied stuff can be found in most natural foods stores, including 
> the bulk sections of enlightened supermarkets, etc.  Powdered ginger 
> will have lost a lot of its punch from evaporation/oxidation.  I've 
> never tried ginger as an anti-nausea treatment.  Certainly works to calm 
> my tummy, though.  Some folks can not tolerate it at all.
> 
> Scope patches work well for me, but they do make me a bit weird.  My son 
> worked as a charterboat deckhand out of Depoe Bay, OR one season and was 
> on the stuff for almost 2 months straight.  Not recommended.  Scope (aka 
> scopolamine) is strictly a prescription item: 
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scopolamine
> 
> Dramamine works for some, but has some of the same side effects of 
> scope. Being OTC, it is an easier find.  Takes a while to work, so you 
> need to dose up the night before.  Ditto for a scope patch.
> 
> Dramamine (aka dimenhydrinate):  
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimenhydrinate
> 

Coincident with this thread, I was piqued by a recent commercial on 
Canadian TV recently which showed a Gravol box with the words "Ginger" 
displayed prominently. Although I generally mute commercials, I did 
catch the ending of this one, and I think I heard them extolling the 
"non-drowsy" effects of the ginger, compared to the 'old' gravol that 
was often used by parents of motion sickness disposed children as as 
much of a sleep aid as anything.

-- 
   Darryl
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From: James Farrelly <JFarrelly5_at_comcast.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Ginger vs Skeg
Date: Mon, 6 Jul 2009 12:42:10 -0400
>  used by parents of motion sickness disposed children as as much of  
> a sleep aid as anything.
>
> -- 
>   Darryl

I believe each contains benadryl which we used exactly once on a long  
trip to quiet our then small children. My wife who is a surgeon  
carefully gave out what she thought would be a correct dosage for  
each child. Our son who was about 4 quietly went slacked jawed and  
started to breathe so shallowly it scared us both to death. My  
daughter who was 2 1/2 went hyper and bounced around in her car seat  
as much as she could and had a grand time. You just never know.

Lets get back to Paddlewise basics and start an argument about rudder  
vs skeg. I'll start.

It depends.

Jim et al
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From: Joe P. <jpylka_at_earthlink.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Ginger vs Skeg
Date: Mon, 6 Jul 2009 13:17:57 -0400 (GMT-04:00)
>It depends.
>

Nope.  That's yet another topic...

JP
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From: Darryl Johnson <Darryl.Johnson_at_sympatico.ca>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Ginger vs Skeg
Date: Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:28:48 -0400
James Farrelly wrote:
>>  used by parents of motion sickness disposed children as as much of a 
>> sleep aid as anything.
>>
>> -- 
>>   Darryl
> 
> I believe each contains benadryl which we used exactly once on a long 
> trip to quiet our then small children. My wife who is a surgeon 
> carefully gave out what she thought would be a correct dosage for each 
> child. Our son who was about 4 quietly went slacked jawed and started to 
> breathe so shallowly it scared us both to death. My daughter who was 2 
> 1/2 went hyper and bounced around in her car seat as much as she could 
> and had a grand time. You just never know.
> 
> Lets get back to Paddlewise basics and start an argument about rudder vs 
> skeg. I'll start.
> 
> It depends.
> 
> Jim et al

Rudder boxes never leak!

No... wait... Rudders don't have boxes. Ah well, so much for *that* 
argument.

-- 
   Darryl (whose skeg box has never leaked either)
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From: Doug Lloyd <douglloyd_at_shaw.ca>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Ginger vs Skeg
Date: Mon, 6 Jul 2009 18:04:40 -0700
I prefer Mary Anne and rudders over Ginger and skegs.

DL




>>  used by parents of motion sickness disposed children as as much of  
>> a sleep aid as anything.
>>
>> -- 
>>   Darryl
> 
> I believe each contains benadryl which we used exactly once on a long  
> trip to quiet our then small children. My wife who is a surgeon  
> carefully gave out what she thought would be a correct dosage for  
> each child. Our son who was about 4 quietly went slacked jawed and  
> started to breathe so shallowly it scared us both to death. My  
> daughter who was 2 1/2 went hyper and bounced around in her car seat  
> as much as she could and had a grand time. You just never know.
> 
> Lets get back to Paddlewise basics and start an argument about rudder  
> vs skeg. I'll start.
> 
> It depends.
> 
> Jim et al
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From: John Clinton <jcbikeski_at_gmail.com>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Ginger (was: How long... (was Kayaks and Visibility))
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 07:02:43 -0700
Here's a recent study related to cancer treatment related nausea

http://www.asco.org/ascov2/Meetings/ASCO+Annual+Meeting/2009+ASCO+Daily+News
/Sunday,+May+31,+2009/PUBLISH+AHEAD+OF+PRINT:+Ginger+Provides+Significant+Re
duction+of+Chemotherapy-induced+Nausea



-----Original Message-----
From: owner-paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net
[mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net] On Behalf Of Emile Zen
Sent: Thursday, July 02, 2009 1:58 AM
To: PaddleWise_at_paddlewise.net
Subject: [Paddlewise] Ginger (was: How long... (was Kayaks and Visibility))

Hello Craig,

Can you (or anyone) provide references for the research on
ginger for treating nausea?

Thanks,

Emile
 
________________________________
From: Craig Jungers <crjungers_at_gmail.com>
To:
rebyl_kayak <rebyl_kayak_at_energysustained.com>
Cc: pdh_at_mmcl.co.nz;
PaddleWise_at_paddlewise.net
Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 2009 10:37:21 PM
Subject:
Re: [Paddlewise] How long would you wait - (was Kayaks and Visibility)

Ginger
is a proven remedy for sea sickness and is cheap and easy to get.
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From: Joe P. <jpylka_at_earthlink.net>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Ginger (was: How long... (was Kayaks and Visibility))
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 15:57:30 -0400 (GMT-04:00)
>Where might one find powdered ginger?  Sounds like a good thing to pack in
>case any in a group gets sick -- could really help some trip.
>
Try the spice aisles of any supermarket.  It and candied Ginger are commonplace these days...

Joe P.
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From: rebyl_kayak <rebyl_kayak_at_energysustained.com>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] How long would you wait - (was Kayaks and Visibility)
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 21:02:28 +1000
Peter
>In response to your 'a scenario and a question' - great exercise.
>May I try it on our club leaders sometime ?


G'Day Paul, Craig, Doug and Paddlewise.



Paul please do and I'd love to hear what they come up with. Impressed with the
quick response.


Just returned from work and put together my version. Quickly scanned the three
plans so far submitted but haven't read in detail and haven't incorporated
ideas from them yet. I'm sure I will later though. I just wanted to see how my
own knowledge would hold up in this situation.



Also to make it clear that I'm not competent to lead or advise on such a trip.
I only trust about three kayakers that I have paddled with who could lead it.





BASIC EQUIPMENT

Well maintained sea kayak with secondary buoyancy and at least 2 bulkheads, or
a fitted sea-sock

Fitted deck lines, paddle and paddle leash, spray skirt,

sponge, bailer and pump system,

PFD with a suitable whistle attached by a lanyard,

Cag or paddle jacket, warm clothing, all accessible from the cockpit,

Food and two litres of water - all accessible from the cockpit,

Footwear suitable for paddling, swimming and walking on rocks,

Further warm clothing, waterproof clothing, footwear, food, water and a day
pack, secured in dry storage in the kayak,

Tow rope - with suitable bag and fittings for quick deployment

Hands-free bailing pump system (i.e. electric or foot pump),

Spare paddle,

Personal first aid kit, garbage bags and/or 'space blanket',

Personal medication as required

Compass and charts mouinted on deck with key names marked in larger print

GPS

Instantly accessible knife,

Kayak plumbers patch repair kit

Personal tether attached to PFD for connection if necessary to boat - not
mandatory but I would have one

Emergency energy bars in pocket of PFD



SIGNAL EQUIPMENT equivalent to

Flares in day hatch and minirocket flares in waterproof pack tethered inside
back pack of PFD

406 MHz PLB incorporating GPS in waterproof pack tethered inside backpack of
PFD

VHF radio

Boat or person mounted low intensity lights as described in previous posts
capable of being seen over 360 degrees and normally on all the time

Waterproof head torch, normally off, but for use for reading GPS phone etc

Shoulder mounted high intensity strobe or steady light capable of lasting 12
hours only for emergency

Mobile phone with each paddlers number and the SAR number preprogrammed for
easy dialling



NOTES ON EQUIPMENT

All electronic equipment to be freshly charged

Personal tether is not mandatory I would carry one ready to be deployed if I
was lost

The mobile phone may sound odd, but in Oz its often more reliable than the VHF
and the Coast guard invariably ask if you have one when you make a VHF call






PREPARATION



I would require that all paddlers be very familiar with the route having
frequently paddled it in day time and in the conditions expected. The only
novelty for three of the paddlers is that they are doing it at night.



All five paddlers should be experienced at night paddling, but three will not
have paddled at night on the open sea in conditions like this.



Rendezvous points should be established en route for use as a last resort in
the event of a multiple separation. En route this could be just prior to
reaching a headland ie not so close as to be hazardous (bommies excessive
rebound). All of this to be on the trip plan and the coast guard notified.



An appropriate VHF communication channel to be agreed beforehand for use
within the group and the coastguard notified of this when presenting the trip
plan.



The coastguard should be familiar with kayaks carrying out this kind of
exercise i.e the group or at least the leader should be registered with the
coastguard and know them well. The leader should be familiar with the
communications difficulties en route and have at least one mode of
communication available (mobile or VHF). The leader should check with the
Coastguard that SAR is available on the night, if not the trip to be called
off.



Days beforehand everyone should have programmed and tested their mobiles with
quick dial telephone numbers for the group and for SAR. This is not to be done
on the day.



Days beforehand the trip plan and on water protocols should have been
circulated and discussed by the group. The group should have a history of
doing significant exercises together (rescues tows rolling etc) under the sea
conditions expected.



Evening before the leader to ring each participant and check if they are ready
and OK to go. Its understood that the trip will be cancelled if weather is in
excess of that planned, any sign of sickness and it's a no go for the
participant. Likewise if the leader or 2IC is sick the trip is called off.
Absolutely no moral or peer pressure to be used on a participant to continue
with the trip if they are hesitant.



Set up half the cars at the beach if possible so that it isn't necessary to
paddle back



During the day and at the trip briefing - usual checks weather, route,
coastguard etc. Trip briefing before the trip to include equipment count and
: -



1. Remind everyone that if they separate from the group and from their boat
their chances of survival are remote unless they use their PLB. (For a trip
like this they would be expected to know this already).



2. Mandatory instruction that the group stay within formation and within easy
talking distance of each other all the time. The skill level of all paddlers
should be such that they can easily manoeuvre and rove between boats in the
conditions expected even though that is not what is being asked for. I would
place the three less experienced paddlers together in a row as buddies looking
out for each other. The leader and 2IC are just behind them and rove forward
regularly to communicate with the three. The role of the 2IC's job is to
pre-empt any hint of group spread. The leader's job is to maintain the group
on course. Both the 2IC and the leader are keeping an eye on the three
paddlers for signs of difficulty.





DESPITE THIS SOMETHING HAPPENS



Group up the remaining kayakers. Strictly no searching as separate groups

Instruct 2IC and Paddlers to each make a note of the GPS position either
electronically or with grease pencil on hull of boat.

Use whistle three short blasts wait for reply

No reply - Repeat

Radio the missing kayaker

No reply

Call coastguard and request SAR for missing kayaker

If communication with coastguard fails call Mayday immediately.



At this point I would not attempt to search outside a box of about 30 meters
square. but would maintain position and group as a priority, searching within
the box as a second priority and continue to use the whistle and the VHF radio
to call for the boat until arrival of SAR or other rescue craft. Making sure
that the group remains centred on the GPS position awaiting arrival of SAR.



I don't pretend this is an adequate plan. It usually takes me days to work out
such a plan and the one I was originally going to put to Paddlewise was
simpler for a day time trip. Hopefully it gives enough idea of key elements
I'm using that it can be critiqued.



Thanks for all the responses so far.



All the best, PeterO
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From: Bob Carter <revkayak_at_aptalaska.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] How long would you wait - (was Kayaks and Visibility)
Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 16:56:50 -0800
    As a member of the local Search and Rescue unit (SAR)here is my 
suggestions.
    First before starting out establish a float plan. Since this is night 
paddling the margins for error are greater. Tell everyone to stay together. 
The fast paddlers need to ease up a bit and the slow paddler need to pick it 
up a bit. Make sure everyone has a whistle and some type of reliable light. 
make sure everyone knows that if someone becomes seperated from the group 
then the remaining paddlers gather with the leader before searhing. 
Otherwise you r group is too spread out for a search or, and I have seen 
this happen, the searchers become lost!
    Second since this is a night paddle when something goes wrong it often 
has a domino effect where things get worse quickly. If a member of the group 
were missing I would gather the remaining paddlers together and return to 
where the missing person was last seen. PLS (Place Last Seen in SAR jargon.) 
As you return to the PLS I would fan out the remaining paddlers to cover a 
lot of the search area. This includes one person traveling as close to shore 
as possible. One of my concerns would be vertigo brought on by night 
paddling. In this case the missing person may not be able to respond to 
hails.
    If the person was not found I would immediately contact the Coast Guard. 
If there is a problem, sickness injury ect. then time is critical. If I 
could not establish radio contact (even if there are no repeater give it a 
try incase a fishing vessel picks up your message) I would send the two 
fastest paddlers to paddle together back to the harbor (the reason for two 
if the first rule of SAR is not to create more victims.) The remaining 
paddlers would fan out and slowly paddle setting up a search pattern to 
cover as much ground as possible.

Hope this helps
Bob




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "rebyl_kayak" <rebyl_kayak_at_energysustained.com>

> G'Day Craig and Paul,
>
> Something I've not covered is the situation regarding the NSW Maritime Code as
> it applys to kayakers along the coast. Before I describe it from a kayaking
> perspective thought I'd try to set the background with a scenario and
> question. One I've been meaning to ask Paddlewisers for a long time.
>
> Imagine you are the leader of a group either formally through signing an
> agreement at the start of a trip or informally 'elected' as the most
> experienced member in a troublesome situation.
>
> There are five of you paddling north on a moonless, cloudless night about a
> kilometer off the east coast. This stretch of coast is mostly uninhabited
> cliffs with no landing. The cliff line runs roughly south to north between a
> harbour and a beach 10km north of the harbour. The beach has no significant
> surf. . There are bommies every so often within 50m to 200m of the cliffs.
> There are no bars, or tide races en route. You have left a trip plan with the
> local coastal patrol.
>
> The sea is showing white caps and is 1.5 metres on top of a 2 to 3 metre
> southerly swell. The wind is around 12 to 15 knots from the North East,
> expected to turn NW later in the evening. Forecasts in this area are usually
> reliable. You and your buddy are strong paddlers, very experienced in paddling
> at night. The three others are strong paddlers well used to these conditions
> for day time paddling. but their night time paddling has been in harbours and
> estuaries and they are a bit nervous. All of you know each other, and all have
> well practiced rescue, roll and self rescue skills in these sea conditions.
> There are no VHF repeater stations along the cliff. You've chucked your ipods
> and sunglasses into the sea where they have been stolen by beautiful mermaids:~)
>
> * How would you ensure you didn't lose a member of the group
>
> * If you did lose a member of the group how much time would you spend
> searching before calling for help. What methods would you use for the search
> and for the call?
>
> * If it were daytime how much time would you spend searching before calling
> for help. What methods would you use?
>
> BTW occasionally I lead trips like this during the day when called on by my
> mates, but although I've also led night time paddles I wouldn't lead a paddle
> like the one described. One or two of my very capable friends do and describe
> them well. Of course the point I'm trying to make is pretty obvious, but 
> I'm keen to hear a broader view.
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