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#1
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Critical kayak gear for safety
I'm a recent convert to the occassionally wet world of kayaking. I have
practised wet exits and self rescues, wear a PDF and always carry a paddle float and bail pump. While most of my rough water experience has been coastal and always accompanied by at least one other more experienced paddler I would like to equip myself with additional protection for the days I might venture solo. In the Spring I intend to continue to work on my non existent (as yet) roll and other braces. Here is my thought: a reliable VHF radio, an inexpensive GPS and finally a usable dry suit. I like to paddle mostly the North shore of MA where the water temperature even in summer never gets better than 60. (I think) I own a farmer john 3mm wet suit but not sure if this is enough. Currently I'm looking at a ICOM IC-MIV VHF radio and a Palm dry suit. Anyone out there want to weigh in on my choices or suggest other alternatives. Are the built in neoprene socks advisable? I do insist on a pee zipper being of the prostate challenged generation. Thanks, Gene |
#3
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I would suggest rearranging the order of your list.
Get the dry suit first, as it will be the piece you use the most and it's the most critical to your safety. A Farmer John is nowhere near adequate protection for North Shore paddling except in mid summer. Spring is actually the most dangerous time of the year to paddle, IMO, since the warm air lures people into under-dressing, but the water temps are only in the 40's and can incapacitate and kill quickly. I find that I wear a dry suit 7-8 months of the year and it's probably the single best investment I've made in paddling gear. Get a waterproof/breathable suit, as the cheaper coated nylon suits are sweat boxes. Definitely insist on a relief zipper and I suggest that you also get latex or Gore-Tex socks, as they significantly increase comfort. I haven't tried a Palm dry suit (I've owned Kokatat and Stohlquist), but they appear to be well made and I've heard good things about them. Ravenspring (www.ravenspring.com) is another alternative that's very popular around here. Get the VHF next. It's your emergency lifeline to rescue services should you find yourself (or someone else) in a life threatening situation that you can't extricate yourself from. They come in handy for on water communication with other paddlers and larger vessels. It's also great for getting weather information, much better than the cheap weather radios. The M1V is an excellent radio, but I like the M88 better (I own both and have tried several others). There are frequently $50 rebates on the M88, so you can get one for ~$200 if you catch a rebate and a sale. Defender (www.defender.com) has the M1V on sale currently for ~$175. A GPS is strictly optional. I have one, but never use it. A chart and a deck mounted compass is simpler and more reliable. I would NEVER rely on a GPS (or any other battery powered device) as my only means of navigation. I would put this on the bottom of my gear list, after spare clothing, dry bags, spare paddle, tow rig, bivy jacket or sack, hydration pack, first aid kit, emergency hatch covers, etc. You can work on your skills over the winter. The NSPN runs pool sessions at several locations, where you can work on rolling and rescues. We also run workshops on navigation, boat outfitting and other subjects. In the spring, we have a trip leader training program where you can learn about navigation, rescues and group management on the water in real conditions, rather than just in a pool or on a pond. It's a great club. http://www.nspn.org |
#4
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#5
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Expand a little on this bivy bag. The bivy bags that I am familar with
are usually made of goretex, and go over one's sleeping bag, or body if you do not have a sleeping bag with you. What you describes sounds very different. Is it just a large orange plastic bag? richard John Fereira wrote: snip A bivy bag may also be useful. It's a large coast guard orange bag that you can climb into if you become separated from your kayak. It can be partially inflated and used for floatation, and used as a signaling device. It can be folded up and put into a pocket on your PFD. |
#6
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Kind of beyond what you were asking about but my half dollar
suggestions. Consider the "Safety Blaster Horn". Lung powered, 120dbs, 1 mile range, $10. Do not try it out in enclosed space. I did. Could not hear for 10 mins. Wife and I both carry one on PFD. All plastic, no rust. URL below takes you Fogdog which sells them. Immersion in salt water does not effect it at all - drain for 2 seconds and blow. Used by us any number of times both on land and sea. Great for hiking if separated by terrain. http://www.fogdog.com/product/index....oductId=841305 Also the common garden variety cell phone in waterproof container. Highly recommend AquaPac containers. Bought the ones we have in London years ago but I believe that REI here in states sells them now. Can personally attest to waterproofness in very gnarly Hawaiian waters. We only paddle out if we have them on board. Have one for each of the following; digital camera, cell phone, GPS, VHF and paper nautical charts. May sound like overkill to many but our paddling in Hawaii and other places tends to the extreme side and length. URL for AquaPack below. http://www.aquapac.net/ Last but not least is signaling mirror. Anything that helps the SAR folks pinpoint your location, especially something that requires no batteries, is worth having if it could save your life. Cheap, light, and simple to use. There are endless tirades about which is better, metal or plastic, which will last the longest etal. Just get one and stick in the PFD. If you get caught up in "what type will last the longest," buy a new one every year, they are that cheap. Is your life worth $15 or so? -- Big Island Bob |
#7
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On Sun, 19 Dec 2004 22:31:35 GMT, Richard Ferguson
wrote: Expand a little on this bivy bag. The bivy bags that I am familar with are usually made of goretex, and go over one's sleeping bag, or body if you do not have a sleeping bag with you. What you describes sounds very different. Is it just a large orange plastic bag? richard John Fereira wrote: snip A bivy bag may also be useful. It's a large coast guard orange bag that you can climb into if you become separated from your kayak. It can be partially inflated and used for floatation, and used as a signaling device. It can be folded up and put into a pocket on your PFD. You are describing a bivy bag as used in mountaineering. I believe John is referring to some type designed for paddlers. A link to a pic would be useful. Happy trails, Gary (net.yogi.bear) ------------------------------------------------ at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom |
#8
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Having a roll is very, very important, especially in cold water. Lot's of
paddling clubs use indoor pools during the winter for instruction. For the warm weather flat water paddler just something fun to learn. For recreational boaters, most of that type of craft won't take a skirt anyway and if they do, they're nylon, 4 feet long and implode upon going over. wrote in message ups.com... I'm a recent convert to the occassionally wet world of kayaking. I have practised wet exits and self rescues, wear a PDF and always carry a paddle float and bail pump. While most of my rough water experience has been coastal and always accompanied by at least one other more experienced paddler I would like to equip myself with additional protection for the days I might venture solo. In the Spring I intend to continue to work on my non existent (as yet) roll and other braces. Here is my thought: a reliable VHF radio, an inexpensive GPS and finally a usable dry suit. I like to paddle mostly the North shore of MA where the water temperature even in summer never gets better than 60. (I think) I own a farmer john 3mm wet suit but not sure if this is enough. Currently I'm looking at a ICOM IC-MIV VHF radio and a Palm dry suit. Anyone out there want to weigh in on my choices or suggest other alternatives. Are the built in neoprene socks advisable? I do insist on a pee zipper being of the prostate challenged generation. Thanks, Gene |
#9
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#10
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On 20-Dec-2004, "Patrick, Whit" wrote:
Signal Mirror = AOL CDs... They work really well and are very free! The myth is that CDs work well. They are not that reflective. Better to get a real signal mirror. http://www.seakayakermag.com/2001/01Oct/mirror2.htm Mike |
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