Steve Cramer wrote: "I wouldn't expect someone who paddles an Old Towne Camper with busted cane seats to own a drysuit. I didn't see any reference to a PFD. According to the article, the rescue boat was there in 10 minutes. 10 minutes in 40+ degree water is distinctly unpleasant, but wouldn't be fatal for most people." Agreed, Steve, I wouldn't expect to see a canoeist in an Old Town Camper -- nor would I necessarily expect to see a sea kayaker in new, $1800 Necky Looksha -- wearing a drysuit. I'd prefer to expect that both would be wearing a PFD -- maybe less surprised if the canoeist didn't have one. And, yes, data will support the fact that a swimmer can survive more than ten minutes in 45 degree water. But some don't, and often it's cold shock that kills the swimmer. It was a warm day -- from the videos, short-sleeved rescuers. So a warm, unprotected boater suddenly and unexpectedly hits that 45 degree water and can instantly go into cardiac arrest, as your article points out, Steve. If that doesn't get him, the first panic induced gasp for air could start the process of drowning if he's still face down or underwater. It happens. So, yes, swimmers can survive 45 degree water for 30 minutes without permanent damage -- can attest to this personally -- but the shock of an unplanned swim in that kind of water can also kill anyone -- and just as easily. Without PFDs -- let alone drysuits or wetsuits or polyfleece, even -- these guys were at significant risk the second after the canoe flipped. Stuff happens. Especially in the spring. Joq *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************Received on Thu Apr 22 2010 - 13:32:32 PDT
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:31:40 PDT