Re: [Paddlewise] case studies-cold water

Cold water and/or air temps demand some type of protection, both above the water and in the water. I don't know of any sport or commercial occupation wear all the requirements for protective and immersion apparel will meet everyone's demands or likes and dislikes. The only obvious fact to me is that the proper gear can increase enjoyment and survival exponentially. Getting that message out has comer a long way, in my opinion, in my geographical location, and applies generally to the public and specific groups of persons involved in a specific or cross-over activities. 
 
The message about cold shock and swim failure is a harder one to provide awareness levels that stick (and self-perpetuate in the various communities). At least, that's what I think. For sea kayaking, I need gear that provides protection while passing through the environment as well as providing some backup in the case of a longer swim. The later requires some degree of compromise. 
 
I see Mustang Survival has some new products out for 2011. They have never concentrated much on paddlers but the company continues to provide product and education for many aspects of the boating public, as well as commercial and military R&D (I have no association with this company). Much of the gear available to sea kayakers is adequate and beneficial but may require an outlay of money and a willingness to wear such gear, even when the wearer might not be 100% comfortable.
 
For me, my gear is designed to allow a re-enter of my vessel in a moderate amount of time. Anything more excessive will probably hamper other aspects of endurance and enjoyment. I think it is beneficial to provide new paddlers with a good overview of the options, provide education with respect to hypothermia, cold shock, and swim-failure. As for government agencies regulation levels of immersion protection, to some degree that is done here in my neck of the woods through WCB for commercial situations in various industries but I'm not too happy yon see regulations promoted for the recreational end-users. I do wish more education was made available in our school systems, even at a young age. 
 
The dexterity issue is a big one for me, but pre-supposes a certain level of immersion apparel already in play. One's extremities do suffer dexterity loss relatively quickly for some of the tasks needed during self-rescue, especially.
 
Good on your for pushing some of these agenda's John. 
 
Doug Lloyd   

> Thank you all for the reports.
> 
> Some of them I will use as case studies, with sufficient detail 
> in the 
> reports to enable further searching to complete the picture.
> 
> I hadn't considered post-rescue collapse, as I didn't think 
> there were many 
> examples that were reported in detail enough to provide a 
> compelling 
> arguement, but I now see that this is not the case. I'll follow 
> that up as 
> well.
> 
> Doug, you mentioned the loss of dexterity following immersion, 
> and I think 
> that is a big issue that is not often addressed in much of our 
> training, and 
> is so relevent to paddlers, so I highlight that.
> 
> Keep the reports coming if you don't mind, there are far more 
> than I was 
> aware of. I'll dig out a few we've had and post them.
> 
> Cheers
> 
> JKA
> 
> John Kirk-Anderson
> Banks Peninsula
> New Zealand 
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