[Paddlewise] Elements for survival

Regarding the Tampa Bay case:

 

"Article mentions that water temperatures below 60-degrees are dangerous but
doesn't say a word about what sort of clothing to wear as protection; just
wear a PFD. Interesting." From Craig Jungers

 

For several years, The National Safe Boating council has had a "saved by the
Jacket" essay contest. Here is the winner for 2009:
www.safeboatingcampaign.com/survivor09.htm

 

The survivor survived because he had a cell phone, a shorty wetsuit,
paddling jacket of some sort and a pfd.

Lacking any element of this set of gear, I believe he would have died. As it
was, the victim was lucid and functional until rescued. The message of the
NSBC was "victim was saved by the life jacket", no mention of the shorty
wetsuit or cell phone. Their conclusion and message for the public is
INCOMPLETE!!! And misleading!!! 

 

If the fellows in Tampa Bay had been equipped to communicate and had any
type of wetsuit, then the victim and survivor both could have tied up to the
buoy, called for help and waited for recue.

 

On Thursday, Jan 20, 2011, (posted Jan 26,2011) a hunter went into Reelfoot
Lake, swam to a stump and was rescued because he was able to call for rescue
using a waterproof cellphone.  Communication, an essential element of
survival.

www.lakecountybanner.com/news.php?viewStory=2462

 

 

Chuck Sutherland
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