Alligators and humans have shared the marshes, swamps and lakes of the southeastern United States for many centuries. Native Indians and early European pioneers occasionally utilized this reptile for food, but not until fashion markets began producing alligator skin products did this prehistoric reptile become heavily hunted. A century of unrestricted and unregulated hunting depleted most accessible populations. Even after the passage of State regulations governing the harvest of alligators during the 1940s, alligator populations continued to decline due to extensive poaching. It was not until 1970, when federal laws prohibited the interstate shipment of alligators, that these reptiles were afforded effective protection. The federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 provided further support.

Shortly after their protection began, alligators rapidly repopulated areas once heavily hunted. Surveys established by the Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission indicated progressive increases from 1974 to 1985. During that same period Florida experienced tremendous human population growth. That trend continues today, with approximately 1,000 people moving to Florida daily. Many of these new residents seek homes on waterfront property, resulting in increased interactions between humans and alligators.

Although most Floridians have learned to coexist with alligators, the potential for conflict always exists. Because of their predatory nature and large size, alligators can, and occasionally are attack victims and in rare instances are killed by large alligators. Between 1973 and 1990, 127 alligator attacks on human were documented with five of those resulting in fatalities. Although this number of attacks may seem high, they constitute a very small percentage of water-related incidents compared to those involving water skiing, scuba diving and boating mishaps. Even though human/alligator interactions rarely result in attacks, there are many precautions that people can take to reduce potential conflicts. This information provides everyday safety tips and "do/don't" suggestions for avoiding potential conflicts with alligators.

Safety tips....

The Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission receives nearly 10,000 alligator-related complaints annually. The vast majority of these complaints deal with alligators occurring in places such as garages, back yards, pools, golf-course water hazards and ditches. In many cases, if left unmolested, alligators eventually will retreat to more preferred habitats away from people. However, if you encounter an animal that poses a threat to human safety:

DON'T- kill, harass, molest, or attempt to move the animal. State law prohibits such actions, and the potential for being bitten or injured by a thrashing alligator is high.

DO- call a regional office of the Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission. the Commission will evaluate you report and, if necessary, contact a licensed agent of the Commission and instruct him to remove the animal.

Florida contains approximately 7,500 freshwater lakes and tens of thousands of acres of marsh and wooded swamp. Many of these areas attract people for a variety of water-related activities, including swimming, skiing, fishing and hunting. To ensure the time you spend in or around water does not result in conflicts with alligators:

DON'T- swim outside of posted swimming areas or in waters that might contain large alligators.

DO- swim with a partner within all marked swimming areas. These areas are specifically situated and designed to reduce potential alligator/human conflicts.

DON'T- swim at night or dusk when alligators most actively feed.

DO- use ordinary common care. Swim during daylight hours. Avoid areas with thick vegetation along shorelines; these areas provide good natural habitat for large alligators.

DON'T- feed or entice alligators. Alligators overcome their natural shyness and become accustomed or attracted to humans when fed.

DO- inform others that feeding alligators is a violation of state law and that by feeding alligators, people create problems for others who want to use the water for recreational purposes.

DON'T- throw fish scraps into the water or leave them on shore. Although you are not intentionally feeding alligators, the end result can be the same.

DO- dispose of fish scraps in garbage cans situated at boat ramps or fish camps.

DON'T- allow pets to swim in waters known to contain large alligators or in designated swimming areas with humans. Dogs suffer many more attacks than humans, probably because dogs more closely resemble natural prey items of large alligators.

DO- swim your pets in areas not inhabited by large alligators. Keep your pet away from areas of heavy vegetation, and maintain your dog within command distance.

Prior to their legal protection, alligators were sold in pet stores and souvenir shops as novelty items. Florida law now strictly protects alligators, and only specially licensed persons may possess a live alligator. Therefore, it is recommended that you:

DON'T- remove any alligators from their natural habitat or accept one as a pet. It is a violation of state law to do so. Alligators do not become tame in captivity, and handling even small ones may result in bites.

DO- enjoy seeing and photographing wild alligators. Remember, they're and important part of Florida's natural history, as well as an integral component of many wetland ecosystems.

Based on fossil records, scientists have determined that crocodilians have existed for about 150 million years, surviving beyond dinosaurs and flying reptiles. Today, however, habitat destruction and indiscriminate hunting endanger many crocodilian species. In the United States, most alligator populations have rebounded from hunting and poaching pressure due to effective laws regulating the taking and transportation of alligators and alligator products. In Florida, rapidly increasing populations of both people and alligators have led to a progressive rise in the number of alligator-related complaints. Although the majority of problems with alligators relate to their being in places where they aren't wanted, a small number are tragically linked to alligator attacks. The Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission removes approximately 4,000 alligators per year to reduce opportunities for such tragic occurrences. Through the removal of these alligators and increased awareness on the part of the public, the number of alligator attacks that occur annually has remained constant in spite of the increases in alligator and human populations in Florida.

Residents and visitors alike must realize that alligators are an important part of Florida's heritage, and that these prehistoric reptiles play an important role in the ecology of Florida's wetlands. An understanding of these facts and broader knowledge of alligator habits will ensure that humans and alligators continue their long-term coexistence.

Also see Gatorour other information page

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Sea Kayaking History

"Many people nowadays are vastly impressed with the greatness of our age, with all the inventions and the progress of which we daily hear, and which appear indisputably to exalt the highly-gifted white race far over all others. These people would learn much by paying close attention to the development of the Eskimos, and to the tools and inventions by aid of which they obtain the necessaries of life among natural surroundings which place such pitifully small means at their disposal." - Fridtjof Nansen from Eskimo Life published in 1894

What does kayak mean?

Hunters boat. The boats primary purpose was to hunt animals on inland lakes, rivers and the sea. In many places where the native kayakers lived they had to turn to the water for food because the land was not fertile enough to support their population. It was also used for transportation across open water and rivers. Most but not all kayaks are considered seaworthy.

It is made of seal skins and wood. The wood was driftwood that was collected off of beaches. Many of the areas where kayaks were paddled are void of the land based raw materials used in making birchbark canoes or dugout canoes.

Archaeologists have found evidence indicating kayaks to be at least 4000 years old.

The word kayak appears in literature spelled different ways: kyak, kyack, kaiak, qajaq.

What does baidarka mean?

It refers to the double and triple kayaks developed by the Alaskan Aleut. It was used for hunting and transporting those unable to paddle. Some groups considered it a waste to have the second paddler be a capable paddler. The triples are considered to have appeared after the Europeans appeared. The Russians are thought to have forced the Aleut to make a third hole so they could travel along with them and not have to paddle. The triples were also used to transport missionaries.

What is an umiak?

An umiak is an open decked boat made with seal skins and wood. It was paddled with single bladed paddles and typically had more than one paddler. It ranged in size from 17 feet to 60 feet. The umiak was typically seaworthy.

Some groups lived nomadically to follow animal migrations. In these groups, the umiak was used primarily for transporting household goods, children, elderly and those unable to paddle a kayak. The women of the village would paddle the umiak since the men were paddling their kayaks. In other groups it was used for hunting walrus and whale. It was paddled by men and sometimes women during these hunts.

It is thought the kayak originally started out as a decked over umiak and evolved into its traditional form.

It is also called a baydar.

Did all native kayaking groups use the two bladed paddle?

No. Some groups used the two bladed paddle exclusively and some groups used the one bladed paddle exclusively. It many times depended on the boats design. Some groups that used two bladed paddles also kept one or two one bladed paddles with them to use for stealthier paddling when hunting or for use as a spare.

There were groups that used the single bladed paddle to roll.

Did all native kayakers know how to roll?

No. The Greenland Inuits and the Alaskan Aleuts were well known for their rolls but not all native kayakers knew how to roll or needed a roll.

The Greenlanders were the masters of the roll. Their narrow boats, the conditions they paddled in and unexpected complications during hunting required them to develop numerous different rolls. In addition to the typical rolling with a paddle, numerous "trick" rolls were known such as rolling with the paddle held by one hand, using a harpoon shaft or using just an open or closed hand. The reasons for this is during a hunt the harpoon line could tangle and upset the boat or an injured animal sometimes attacked the hunter. In either case if the hunter is holding something he does not want to drop (like a knife) or the paddle is temporarily stowed, he had to use these rolls. The Greenlanders also used the bow rescue described below.

Some native kayakers used several different methods instead of a roll. One is the bow rescue where a paddling partners bow is used to pull one self up. This technique relied heavily on somebody being close by. In another technique the paddler pulled themselves into the boat and breathed the air inside the boat until somebody showed up and a bow rescue could be performed. This technique required a boat one could crawl into and someone showing up before the oxygen inside the boat was used up. Certain groups added ballast to their boats to make them stable, the weight varied from 50-100 pounds.

How were kayaks made?

Driftwood would be collected from beaches. The wood would be formed using the tools they had. Iron is not found in the Arctic and was introduced when trading began with the western cultures. Obsidian or flint was fashioned into necessary tools. Wood used was typically fir, pine, spruce and willow. The addition of iron based tools did decrease the amount of time spent building a kayak since iron does not dull as quickly as traditional materials. Historians are not in agreement if iron improved the quality of the kayak or not. Peterson in Skinboats of Greenland presents some information that it did.

Seal skins would then be sewn onto a complete frame. Typical skin used was from the bearded seal but some groups did use the sea lion, caribou and walrus skins. The hair was removed from the skins. The skins were treated with oil for waterproofness. Oil typically had to be applied every 4-8 days depending on the skin used. Care was taken that when a boat was in daily use, that it was removed from the water and allowed to dry once a day.

Sinew was used to lash the frame and sew the skins. The seam on the skins was waterproof because the stitches did not completely pass through the skin.

What is the difference between a modern kayak and a traditional kayak?

There are obvious differences in the materials used. In addition a modern rigid kayak typically has several added safety features such as bulkheads and hatches. Skegs and rudders appeared on some traditional kayaks but the design was thought to be influenced by western cultures. Most of the features used in modern hull designs can be found in traditional kayak hull designs. The modern skin boat is very similar to a traditional kayak although the modern day skin used is typically waterproofed canvas.

It is important to realize the significant change in the boats use from traditional use to modern use. No longer is the boat used for hunting but instead for recreation. This represents a fundamental change that has affected the boat design and its equipment.

Where did the native kayakers live?

In the arctic of North America from the Aleutian Islands to the East coast of Greenland. This included southern Siberia, the Bering Strait and Northern Canada. Some groups were nomadic and were constantly searching for better hunting grounds. Other groups were not nomadic and lived year round in the same location. Some locations had only 90 days a year for open water and other locations had open water year round.

Were all the boat designs the same?

No, the designs were specialized for the local conditions and needs of the hunters. Some areas had exposed coasts and other areas were relatively protected. Some groups had to transport their kayaks over a long distance to the water and other groups were right next to the water. Transporting the dead animals back to the village was a problem solved in different ways by hunters in different areas.

One historian breaks seagoing kayak designs into five basic forms with minor changes for local conditions. The different designs are found in Greenland, Baffin Island, the Bering Strait south to the Aleutians, southeastern Siberia and the Aleutian islands.

What did they wear?

They used jackets made from skins which were typically waterproof. The wrists and face openings were drawn tight for waterproofness. The waist fit tightly around the cockpit coaming. These formed watertight seals so water did not enter while performing a roll or punching through waves. The jacket used by the Greenlanders helped provide buoyancy when sculling. On warm days they used the equivalent of a spray skirt instead of the jacket. They used mittens made of skin to keep their hands warm. Some groups wore hats with a large brim for protection from the sun and salt spray.

What animals were hunted?

Caribou on the inland waters and virtually any sea mammal at sea. The sea mammals included the seal, sea otter, walrus and whale. Fish such as halibut and assorted birds were also hunted. All the groups did not hunt all of these animals. Some groups avoided hunting certain animals for practical and/or spiritual reasons.

Sometimes the umiak was used to hunt together with the kayaks.

How did they get the animals back to the village?

It depended on the type of kayak used. Some groups would carry the animal on top of their deck. This method required a boat with a large volume so it could handle a 150+ pound animal (typically seal) on top of it. Another method was to land and butcher the animal on shore and stuff the butchered meat into the boat. This method relied on there being enough volume inside the boat for the meat. A gaff hook was used to retrieve the meat since they did not have any hatches. Another method was to tow the animal. Since a freshly killed animal would sink, air would be blown into the animal and a wooden stopper used as a plug or an air bladder would be tied to the animal. They would be tied along side the boat. Floats were used so the dead animal could be cast loose and later recovered in case another animal was spotted or the sea conditions became too rough. In the case of birds or fish, they were often carried under deck lines and fish were sometimes towed after being killed.

What hunting tools were used?

A harpoon was used together with a rope and an air bladder. The harpoon tip is attached to the air bladder with the rope. The harpoon tip was detachable from the harpoon shaft to allow the animal to thrash about and not break the shaft. The rope was typically made of seal skin. The rope would be coiled on the front deck and allowed to play out once an animal was harpooned.

A javelin was also used and is similar to the harpoon. The difference is the tip and air bladder stay attached to the shaft with rope.

The harpoon used a larger air bladder than a javelin which allowed larger marine animals to be hunted. The harpoon's air bladders also were used for adding floatation to the kayak in case of puncture or water leakage. They were sometimes used in rescues.

A lance was used to kill an animal that was close by.

A knife was carried to kill a wounded animal or to prepare it to be taken in to land.

Bird darts were spears with three or four forward slanted spikes. The spikes allowed a bird to be brought down if the spear tip did not penetrate the bird and instead slid along its body.

A throwing stick (sometimes referred to as a throwing board or an atlatl) was used to boost the range of a spear or harpoon.

A white blind was used by some hunters to camouflage their upper bodies so they could sneak up on resting seals.

All these could be carried on the deck and readied for immediate use. The deck lines were skin with toggles and bone used to fasten items.

Bows and arrows typically were not used. The reasons for this is the difficulty of handling one in a kayak and water would cause the bow string to stretch rendering the bow useless.

Was kayak hunting dangerous?

Very dangerous.

Some times a wounded animal wound attack the kayak. Walrus and whales were especially dangerous when injured. Some times a walrus would attack a kayak even if the kayak was not hunting it. Sometimes the harpoon line would tangle and upset the kayak.

It is important to remember these people had no thermal protection against the cold waters when they wet exited since there was no equivalent to the wetsuit or drysuit (although in Greenland there was an equivalent to the modern drysuit but that was only used by Umiak crews hunting whales). The water temperature they paddled in could be as low as 27 degrees F since saltwater has a lower freezing point than freshwater. Glaciers helped to lower the water temperature by calving icebergs into the water. To wet exit the boat was considered suicide by many groups. Also, there was no equivalent to the modern PFD.

In South Greenland in 1888 there were 162 deaths. 90 were males and 24 of the males died while kayaking. In 1889, there were 272 deaths. 152 were male and 24 died while kayaking. The population consisted of 5614 of which there were 2591 males.

What happened to the kayaking cultures?

As with most native cultures, outside cultural influences changed the native culture and the peoples need for kayaking. Manufactured goods slowly replaced the traditional materials. Lumber instead of driftwood for the boat frames, iron for the spear tips, the gun replaced the hunting tools, and eventually the power boat replaced the kayak. In some cases the depletion of the local animals due to overhunting caused a decline in kayaking.

Today traditional kayaking is kept alive by schools run in Greenland and the Aleution Islands. Much of the traditional kayaking technology and skills has been lost. Some boat designs survive only in drawings made by early explorers that did not have any dimensions. Many kayaks stored in museums were improperly stored and have been unintentionally destroyed. All this makes comparison of the modern kayak and its equipment against the traditional kayak and its equipment difficult or impossible.

What is the history of the development of the modern kayaks?

The modern sea kayaks can trace their ancestry via two paths. The close copy of the Southwest Greenland kayaks and the Rob Roy kayaks.

The Southwest Greenland style giving us the Nordkapp and its derivatives which can trace their design from Frank Goodman, back through the Anas Acuta and a Southwest Greenland kayak brought back to Britain by a Scot called Kenneth Taylor in 1959.

The McGregor "canoe" was built in 1865 to resemble what John McGregor thought he had seen when looking at sketches of Eskimo kayaks. In shape it is not too dissimilar to a Coaster in size and shape. The Kleppers were also of a similar style.

If the designs of the Greenland and Alaskan kayaks are studied, it will be obvious that there are a wide range of designs. Each has evolved as suitable for the region that it comes from. From this one can see why some designs are popular in one region and not in another, the Nordkapp style in Britain and New Zealand and the beamier, flatter boats in northwestern North America. In a country as small as New Zealand there can be regional preferences, a highly rockered boat in the north and flatter, lower windage boats in the South Island.

Wood and wood/fabric were common up until 1950's when fiberglass was introduced. This was followed by plastic in 1984, the Chinook being the first of the rotomolded boats.

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List of Kayak Camping Gear

Kayaking equipment: Paddle, Spare paddle, Sprayskirt ,Cockpit cover, Life vest ,Compass, Bilge pump, Rescue float Tow/throw line, Waterproof bags, and Whistle/flares/smoke/mirror signaling equipment .
Clothing: Paddling jacket, and pants Paddling ,footwear ,Bathing suit ,Hat, pile hat ,Capilene shirts (2), Wind shell jacket and pants , Pile jacket, warm synthetic pants, Shorts, synthetic underwear, Hiking shoes, socks, Compression stuff sack .
Repair kit and tools: Fillet knife, large knife ,Knife sharpener ,Utility (Swiss Army) knife ,Can opener, Pliers, screwdrivers, duct tape, Spare rudder cables and crimps ,Epoxy putty, superglue, caulking ,Needle and thread, Aquaseal Candle, waterproof matches, firestarter ,Spare rudder pedal and fittings .
Cooking equipment: Cup, bowl, utensils Frying pan, sauce pan set ,Spatula ,Synthetic towel, Pot scrubber ,Stove with extra fuel Matches or lighters .
Camping Equipment: Large bags for carrying gear ,Headlamp with spare bulbs and batteries ,Tent and groundcloth ,Sand stakes and spare cord for tent, Thermarest or sleeping pad, Crazy Creek or camp chair, Sleeping bag in a compression stuff sack .
Navigation: Waterproof chart case, Topo map, road map, nautical chart, cruising guides ,Dividers, parallel rules, Binoculars VHF radio in waterproof bag ,and a AM/SW radio.
Personal and hygiene: Trowel & toilet paper ,Toothpaste and toothbrush ,Sunblock, sunglasses & spares, Salt water soap, Nail clippers, tweezer and any medication prescribed by a Doctor for you.
First Aid kit: Ace bandage/wrist splint, Anti-inflammatory medication (Motrin) ,Cavit (dental packing), Ammonia for stings, Cold pack ,Splint, Thermometer ,Anti-diarrhea medication ,Anti-acids ,Boric acid (eyewash) ,Burn/sunburn medication Betadyne ,Bandages, skin closures, Neosporin and Cortizone cream.
Food and water: Water purification tablets or filter, 2 1/2 gallon water bags or suitable sturdy water containers , Several small containers for spices, coffee, sugar, etc. and 2 one quart water containers.

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GORE-TEX Fabric Is Not Harmed By Salt Water!

Also check out GoreTex Fabrics

Keeping Gore-Tex® Raingear Waterproof

Salt water does not contaminate, clog the pores, decrease the breathability, alter or harm GORE-TEX fabric in any way. In fact, Gore's Industrial Products Division provides a GORE-TEX membrane product for the desalinization of sea water. Salt water was once blamed for the poor performance of some GORE-TEX outerwear that was used around salt water. In reality, the poor design and construction of a few early GORE-TEX garments was the culprit. Today's GORE-TEX apparel, designed for marine and other watersport applications, provide the ultimate in waterproof, breathable, windproof protection for watersport enthusiasts.There is no need to refrain from using your GORE-TEX outerwear and GORE WINDSTOPPER apparel in a salt water environment. For optimum performance in any environment, GORE-TEX products and GORE WINDSTOPPER products must be properly maintained. Salt is a desiccant, it attracts moisture. The moisture that accumulates on a salt shaker in humid weather is a good example of this action. Any outerwear worn around salt water should be rinsed in water to keep salt from accumulating and attracting moisture. You can even rinse it with sea water to reduce heavy salt accumulations (sea water is approximately 3% salt).

Call 1-800-431-GORE for more information about salt water applications.

http://www.kokatat.com/index.htm

Adam, at Kokatat responded to my inquiry about maintining the DWR on the Gore-tex garments as follows:

I'm of the widely held opinion that DWR treatments are the only remaining weak link in Gore-Tex garments. While the factory DWRs are usually impregnated into the fabrics in their raw, pre-laminated stages, any after market treatment is just going to be topical. This means that they are never going to last as long as that initial DWR from the manufacturer. In many cases, when you first notice that water is no longer beading up on your garment, it helps to wash the garment and quickly run a warm iron over the face fabric (place a thin layer of cotton, like a pillowcase or t shirt between iron and fabric). This will draw remaining DWR treatment out of the base fabric and get it working like new. After that fails, though, it will be time to use an aftermarket treatment such as Nikwax TX Direct, Tectron, etc. to regain the water repellancy of the outer fabric. There really is no way to tell just how long those will last. Different fabrics tend to hold DWR treatments better than others (the more texture the fabric has, the better it will hold) and it helps to really follow the directions of each treatment closely. Keep in mind that even if the outer fabric is saturating, the membrane will still work properly. That cold clammy feeling that you will get is not leakage or condensation, it is just due to the difference in climates on the inside and outside of the membrane. The DWR treatment is your buffer between the membrane and that outside environment.

Best Regards, Adam

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Stretching a Spray Skirt

I recently got my first skirt for my new sea kayak, and I, too, found it was a very snug fit. "Insanely tight" sounds quite reasonable. And a few other choice descriptions I muttered until I figured out how to get it on. Mine's a Snap Dragon Sea Tour Extreme for a keyhole cockpit that's almost 31 inches long measured from the outside of the coaming. Trying to fit it to the cockpit while standing outside the boat is well nigh impossible --- and dangerous! When that thing snaps back, it's a real menace! At first I thought mine was the wrong size it was so tight.

But, I found putting it on while seated in the boat far easier. Here's what I've been doing; maybe it might help you:

o Fit the rear onto the coaming behind me.

o Fit more over the coaming working from the rear up to around my hips.

o Then working along only ONE SIDE, (the left side for illustration) slide the skirt over the coaming about 3/4 up towards the front. At this point the resistance is pretty heavy and it's too hard to try to stretch the beast any further with my hands.

o Now, I take the grab loop firmly in my left hand, bend my left arm and wedge the elbow onto my torso. Get this arm "locked" into place, and (here's the trick) use my TORSO to LEAN FORWARD stretching the skirt employing my torso strength, not arm and hand strength.

o Use my right hand to fit the skirt around the front of the coaming, and now I'm home free. o Feed the remainder of the right side of the skirt onto the coaming from the front along back until it's all in place. This is easy.

o Resume breathing.

Attempting to stretch the skirt with arm and hand strength alone is exasperatingly difficult, and runs the risk, I thought, of punching a finger right clean through the neoprene trashing the skirt. Or, breaking your finger! The trick, again, is to get the arm holding the grab loop wedged snugly into place so you're just using your arm bones (not muscles) and then when you LEAN FORWARD the skirt "easily" stretches with you.

Bruce from RBP news group

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Hypothermia and Cold Water Survival

The essence of proper clothing is: NO TO COTTON AND YES TO THE "UNNATURAL FABRICS SUCH AS POLYPROPYLENE (from many manufacturers) PROCORE AND DRYLETE (from Hind), AND CAPLENE (from Patagonia)" to name a few. These fabrics, and others like them, will provide insulation even when they and you-are wet. Some of them also have excellent wicking ability, drawing moisture away from the skin into the outer layer of the fabric-Drylete is a particularly good wicking fabric. Cotton will not keep you warm when it's wet, and worse, heavy cotton clothing becomes alarmingly heavy when it's wet. A final note-remember that these fabrics will not be effective if you wear a layer of cotton underneath them, next to your skin.
Hypothermia means lowered, deep-body temperature. In cold water, the skin and peripheral tissues become cooled very rapidly, but it takes 10 to 15 minutes before the temperature of the heart and brain begin to cool. Intense shivering occurs in an attempt to increase the body's heat production and counteract the large heat loss. Unconsciousness can occur when the deep-body temperature falls from the normal 99 degrees F to approximately 89.6 degrees F. Predicted survival time in 50degree water is about 2.5 to 3 hours; that time is increased by extra body fat and decreased by small body size.
Immersion in cold water (especially if sudden) causes immediate major changes in body function. There are isolated cases of"sudden death" being reported but these are very uncommon. The cause of sudden death is not clear, although a number of reasons have been suggested. One is a form of heart attack resulting from the increase in heart rate and change in blood pressure which accompany immersion in cold water. This is not likely to occur in someone with a healthy heart and circulatory system. Other possible causes of death are related to hyperventilation which every one experiences in response to the shock of cold water. It is possible that if one plunges underwater or is immersed in rough seas that hyperventilation could lead to uncontrolled aspiration of water and drowning. Because panic can magnify any of the above responses, it is important to remain calm and methodical if faced with a cold water emergency. If possible, enter the water gradually, allowing the body to adjust to the changing temperature. Consciously control your breathing as much a possible. The more clothing and insulation your body has, the less will be the initial shock on entry into the water.
The body produces almost three times as much heat when swimming slowly and steadily in cold water compared to holding still. However, this heat and more is lost to the cold water due to increased blood circulation to the arms, legs and skin and increased water circulation through the clothing. The average person, dressed and wearing a life vest, cools 35% faster when swimming than when holding still. Although shore may seem close enough to reach by swimming, the far better decision is to stick with your boat, and even better, to get out of the water! You lose more body heat in water than in air of the same temperature. If you are unable to right the kayak and paddle back, at least get up on top of it and get your body out of the water. From there you can paddle the kayak to shore, and/or wave for help. If your kayak appears to be sinking (a good touring kayak with bulkheads would have to be almost broken in two before it would sink) salvage something with flotation - a rescue float, dry bag or seat cushion, and conserve body heat.
There are a number of ways to rewarm someone who has been in cold water: exercise (for mild hypothermia), a hot bath or shower, hot sweet drinks (no alcohol), a heating pad or body contact-huddling with a warm, dry person(s). Unconscious victims of hypothermia should be handled gently and taken to a medical facility.

Information for this article was drawn from a booklet called "Hypothermia and Cold Water Survival" researched by the University of Victoria and put out by Mustang (manufacturers of lifevests).

How can one tell if somebody is hypothermic?

The following lists the body core temperature and its typical signs and symptoms. Not all hypothermia victims exhibit all of these symptoms, it varies from person to person. Note symptoms will change as the person's core temperature changes.

99 to 97F (37 to 36C)
Normal temperature range Shivering may begin

97 to 95F (36 to 35C )
Cold sensation, goose bumps, unable to perform complex tasks with hands, shivering can be mild to severe, skin numb

95 to 93F (35 to 34C )
Shivering intense, muscle incoordination becomes apparent, movements slow and labored, stumbling pace, mild confusion, may appear alert, unable to walk 30 ft. line properly

93 to 90F (34 to 32C)
Violent shivering persists, difficulty speaking, sluggish thinking, amnesia starts to appear and may be retrograde, gross muscle movements sluggish, unable to use hands, stumbles frequently, difficulty speaking, signs of depression

90 to 86F (32 to 30C )
Shivering stops in chronic hypothermia, exposed skin blue or puffy, muscle coordination very poor with inability to walk, confusion, incoherent, irrational behavior, BUT MAY BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN POSTURE AND THE APPEARANCE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL CONTACT.

86 to 82F (30 to 27.7C)
Muscles severely rigid, semiconscious, stupor, loss of psychological contact, pulse and respiration slow, pupils can dilate

82 to 78F (27 to 25.5C)
Unconsciousness, heart beat and respiration erratic, pulse and heart beat may be inapparent, muscle tendon reflexes cease

78 to 75F (25 to 24C )
Pulmonary edema, failure of cardiac and respiratory centers, probable death, DEATH MAY OCCUR BEFORE THIS LEVEL

64F (17.7C )
Lowest recorded temperature of chronic hypothermia survivor

This table is from a book by Wm. Forgey called Hypothermia-Death by Exposure.

Boating Safety

Exposure. Exposure causes loss of body heat. This is called hypothermia. Hypothermia can kill. Defense against hypothermia is to avoid exposure to the cold. Do this by staying dry and avoiding the wind. Put on rain gear before you get wet. If you FALL into the water, DO NOT DISCARD CLOTHING; it will help trap the heat. Avoid moving as much as possible. A life jacket helps in two ways: it reduces the need to move, and it helps institute against heat loss. When you wear a life jacket, draw knees up into a H.E.L.P.(Heat Escape Lessening Position). If several persons are in the water, huddle together so you can conserve heat and stay alive. Care involves getting the victim out of wet clothes (back on land). Warm the victim gradually by wrapping him or her in blankets or putting on dry clothing and moving to a warm environment. If the victim is alert, give warm liquids to drink that do not contain alcohol or caffeine. DO NOT warm the victim too quickly, by immersing in warm water, for instance, as this can cause dangerous heart rhythms. Transport the victim to a medical facility.

If the Water is 32.5 F. 15 minutes or less to Exhaustion or Unconsciousness. Survival less than 15-45 min.
If the Water is 32.5 - 40.0 (F) 15 - 30 minutes to Exhaustion or Unconsciousness. Survival of 30 - 90 min.
If the Water is 40.0 - 50.0 (F) 30 - 60 minutes to Exhaustion or Unconsciousness. Survival of 1 - 3 hours.
If the Water is 50.0 - 60.0 (F) 1 - 2 hours to Exhaustion or Unconsciousness. Survival of 1 - 6 hours.
If the Water is 60.0 - 70.0 (F) 2 - 7 hours to Exhaustion or Unconsciousness. Survival of 2 - 40 hours.
If the Water is 70.0 - 80.0 (F) 3 - 12 hours to Exhaustion or Unconsciousness. Survival of 3 - Indefinitely.
If the Water is Over 80. Survival is expected.

Also see Hypothermia

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Hypothermia: Impacts & Prevention

by Howard Stiff and Mercia Sixta

What is it? Hypothermia is probably responsible directly or indirectly for more kayaking deaths than all other factors combined. Although death by drowning may be the coroner's verdict in many kayaking deaths, the actual cause of drowning is frequently unconsciousness due to hypothermia. Because it is the number one killer, it is vital that hypothermia be thoroughly understood so that early symptoms can be readily recognized and appropriate precautions be taken when paddling in cold climates.

There are two basic types of hypothermia:

A.exposure (gradual) - steady heat loss in a cold environment through respiration, evaporation (sweat, wet clothes) or inadequate insulation (radiation)
B.immersion (acute) - rapid heat loss through conduction to cold water, characterized by fast onset (10-30 minutes in ocean water)

Type A hypothermia can occur easily enough during any outdoor excursion, especially in wilderness situations where weather conditions may deteriorate unexpectedly or where travelers may become lost, injured or exhaust their food supplies prematurely.

Kayaking presents the added possibility of immersion, or Type B hypothermia. In almost all weather conditions, the body cools up to 25 times faster in water than in air. Although water temperatures in the coastal areas of British Columbia vary widely with location and season, typical sea surface temperatures off Vancouver Island vary from about 8 degrees C in winter to a maximum of 20 degrees C in sheltered areas of Georgia Strait in summer. Tidal current mixing in channels like Juan de Fuca Strait, Johnstone Strait and Puget Sound, however, often maintains water temperatures in these areas at a year-round 10 degrees C. In these waters, immersed persons without thermal protection become too weak to help themselves after about 30 minutes. Even if rescued, the chances of survival after an hour in the water are slim.

Symptoms and reactions

Faced with a cold environment, the body tries to defend itself in two ways: shivering, to increase muscle heat production; and blood shunting, to reduce heat loss by diverting blood flow away from the body extremities to the body core.

Mild hypothermia occurs as the body's core temperature drops below it's normal 37 degrees C. In the early stages, vigorous shivering is usually accompanied by increased pulse and breathing rates. Cold, white hands and feet (as the blood vessels in the skin constrict) are the first signs of blood being shunted away from the body's extremities.

Irrationality and irritability are early behavioral signs of hypothermia. Hence it is not safe to rely on members of your group recognizing the onset of hypothermia in themselves. In cold conditions, keep watch for symptoms in everybody. Pay close attention to anybody who is confused, abnormally clumsy, paddling off-course, or otherwise behaving erratically.

Severe hypothermia results as the body temperature drops below 33 degrees C. Shunting of blood continues, manifesting as blue-ish (cyanotic) lips and fingertips from poor oxygenation of the tissues near the body surface. Decreased circulation also results in a buildup of acid metabolites (waste products) in the muscles of the extremities until shivering stops and is replaced by muscular rigidity. The pulse and respiration's begin to slow as the body core cools to 30 degrees C.

Below core temperature of 33 degrees C, the vital organs are beginning to get cold. As the brain cools, brain cell metabolism slows, resulting in impaired brain function. The level of consciousness deteriorates from confusion and despair to disinterest, incoherence and eventual unconsciousness. Below 30 degrees C, signs of life are very difficult to detect and the patient may be mistaken for dead. The pupils of the eyes will be dilated and fixed. The pulse may be undetectable. Occasional gasps of respiration at a rate as low as 4 or 5 per minute may be the only clue that the patient is still alive. A victim who has not already drowned through unconsciousness or loss of dexterity may die by means of heart failure.

Treatment

Mild Hypothermia

If the casualty is conscious, talking clearly and sensibly and shivering vigorously, then: encourage physical activities to generate muscle heat get the person out of the water to a dry sheltered area replace wet clothing with dry layers, covering the head and neck apply hot packs, water bottles, or warm campfire rocks wrapped in hot, wet towels to the groin, head, neck and sides of the chest supply hot caffeine- and alcohol-free drinks

Severe Hypothermia

A victim of advanced hypothermia must be treated as a medical emergency. If the victim is getting stiff and is either unconscious or showing signs of clouded consciousness such as slurred speech or severe loss of coordination, transport the patient to a medical facility where aggressive re-warming can be safely initiated, or radio for help.

Ordinarily, let the hospital re-warm a severely hypothermic person due to physiological complications. However, on a kayak trip, you will not likely have immediate access to medical facilities. Wrap the person warmly and transport in a double kayak or tow to safety if in a single. Carry the victim as gently as possible, perhaps in the kayak, to shelter. Jostling the patient may cause cardiac arrest.

Remove wet clothing. Place in a dry sleeping bag and join him or her to maximize heat generation. Once shivering has stopped, the patient has lost the ability to generate heat, so simply wrapping in a cold bag will not help. He or she needs a gentle source of heat, like another human body. Apply hot packs to the neck, armpits, sides, chest and groin. Keep the head covered. Warm the victim's lungs by mouth-to-mouth breathing.

Do not warm, rub or stimulate the severely hypothermic patient's extremities. This may bring cold, stagnant blood from the body surface to the body core, resulting in cardiac arrest. Hot drinks are also dangerous as they draw warm blood away from vital organs. Nearly 3 gallons would be needed to raise core body temp 1 degrees C.

Things to look out for as you re-warm a severely hypothermic person include a condition called temperature after drop which occurs as the body is re-warmed and cold blood from the extremities returns to the body core, resulting in another 1-2 degrees C core temperature drop. Acidosis occurs as the acid waste products from cell metabolism in the extremities is returned to the heart, which may result in re-warming shock. Both after drop and acidosis may precipitate cardiac arrest.

Bystanders may be tempted to start CPR on a severe case as it is very difficult in the field to distinguish between severe hypothermia and cardiac arrest. But chest compressions or any other rough handling of a severely hypothermic person are particularly likely to convert a slow, low output heart rhythm into ventricular fibrillation, a form of heart attack. Check for any body movement or respiratory effort, both of which are lacking in a heart attack victim, and feel for a carotid pulse (in the neck, to the side of the windpipe) for a full minute before initiating CPR. Surviving a dunking The parts of the body with the fastest heat loss are (in order): the head, neck, sides of the chest and groin. Therefore, to reduce heat loss, protect these areas. If you capsize and wet exit, try to get back into your boat, or at least back onto it. Drown-proofing doesn't work in cold water. Keep your head out of the water and your hat or hood on. Treading water may be OK if you wear a wetsuit, but you will last twice as long if you just hold still. Swimming is only good for very short distances - depending on water temperature you may get 10 yards or half a mile. Best to wait quietly if help is at all close by. Use HELP (Heat Escape Lessening Position): arms folded across the chest, ankles crossed, thighs close together and knees bent. Huddle two or more persons with chests held close together.

Know your Paddling Partners

Susceptibility to hypothermia depends not only on the conditions of exposure but also on body size. Children are considerably more susceptible than large adults, older folks generally more than young. Thin people are more susceptible than fat, men more so than women due to a generally smaller subcutaneous fat layer. Alcohol and drugs may impair shivering or dilate surface blood vessels, thereby masking symptoms or interfering with blood shunting. Certain medical conditions may make a person particularly susceptible to hypothermia, such as: hypothyroidism, in which too little thyroid hormone (regulates cellular metabolic rate) is produced (older people); diabetes (low blood sugar problems); psychiatric disorders (epileptics); so know who you're paddling with.

Summary of Symptoms

Uncontrollable shivering and inability to warm up. Confusion, irritation, clumsiness, slurred speech. Erratic paddling and inability to maintain course (disorientation). Blurred vision and lack of coordination. Despair and disinterest. Ashen white face and hands. Shivering replaced by muscle rigidity. Paradoxical stripping of clothes as cold impairs thermoregulation center of brain. Incoherence and collapse; unconsciousness.

Prevention

Hypothermia is preventable through common sense. Potentially hypothermic situations must be managed before they become serious. Recognize the environmental conditions leading to hypothermia. Wear appropriate clothing for cold and wet conditions. Wear a hat at all times. Use polypropylene underwear to wick water away from the skin, wool on top and a wind- and waterproof covering. Acrylic is better than wool for insulation in a dunking. Even better is a wetsuit or immersion (survival) suit with a hood to minimize heat loss. Physical fitness, continuous exercise, high-calorie food and a hot thermos of tea or hot chocolate will prevent the onset of mild hypothermia. Avoid exhaustion by knowing your limits. If you are lost, avoid panic and other energy-depleting activities. In wilderness settings, carry fire-starting materials and some form of improvisational shelter. Pack a VHF radio and know how to use the emergency Channel 16 to call for help. Carry chemical hot packs and a thermometer in your first aid kit. Know your paddling partners. Learn to recognize the early warning signs of hypothermia.

Wave~Length Paddling Network

Author: Howard Stiff, (604) 247-8258, is the Associate Editor of Wave~length, Phone/Fax: (604) 247-9789. This Article downloaded from Wave~length Electronic Magazine. Hardcopy Subscriptions of magazine is available: Wave~length, RR#1 Site 17,Gabriola Island, BC, Canada V0R 1X0 d.

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Lights for Kayaking at Night

by Ralph Diaz Folding Kayaker newsletter

As you probably know, US Coast Guard regulations require that rowboats, kayaks, canoes etc. have a white light to show to oncoming traffic in order to announce your presence. That generally means a flashlight. So, at a minimum, make certain to have a flashlight that you can turn on if traffic is in your area.

In addition, you will want to have a light on all the time. According to law it cannot be a strobe light. A strobe, i.e. flashing white light, can only be used as an emergency signaling device; it is illegal to use one for a running light on a small boat such as a kayak. The Coast Guard has been known to pull over and ticket violators.

There is a versatile white light, not a strobe, that works quite well. It is called the "C" light by ACR Electronics and available at marine stores such as EB, Defender, West Marine, etc. It is meant to pin to a life vest and shows an extremely brilliant light 360 degrees around. It comes with a pin, lanyard and velcro strap, all of which give you lots of flexibility in how to attach it. For example, you can pin it to the back of a baseball cap (it weighs just a bit over an ounce without its two double A batteries, so it won't strain your neck), or to your PFD, etc. The beauty is that the thing cost just 10 bucks or so. Of course it is waterproof. Visible over a mile. My suggestion is that you mount it as high as possible; therefore the suggestion about the top of your hat.

If you are paddling in low light, you may also want to find out about lights on those ships that are moving around you in the dark. These are in the official "Navigation Rules, International-Inland". The book is fairly inexpensive and will let you know about what ships look like in the dark so that you can determine their position and direction more readily by reading their lighting patterns. There is some great software, NavRules, that was written by a fellow up in the Boston area, that will show all of the patterns on your computer screen complete with whistles and gongs that ships also use under different conditions and according to their size and type, etc. To find out about it, e-mail bruce.pennypacker@channel1.com (that's the word channel followed by the number 1). You can try it free, and then register it for $15. Bruce Pennypacker, is an instructor in the Coast Guard Auxiliary in the greater Boston area and a professional software engineer. His software shows it. I reviewed it in my newsletter much to the delight of quite a few of my readers.

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Coastal Kayaking at Night

Lights for night paddling: Coast Guard regulations require kayakers to have flashlights ready to shine at approaching vessels. Kayaks may be required to display steady 360 degree white lights in some harbors. Glow sticks attached to paddles heighten visibility for other kayakers and for other boaters and do not interfere with night vision. Light sticks may also be used for reading a compass or chart. Red glow sticks or red lens covers (or red cellophane) on a second flashlight preserve night vision..

Safety: It is more difficult and more important to keep the group together at night. Use a pod approach in large groups. Use a paddle lanyard. Make sure deck loads are securely tied, and loose items in the kayak are secured . Avoid surf landings at night, plan your arrivals for daylight, if possible.

Night paddling strategy: Kayaks haveNO RIGHT OF WAY over any other vessels any time. The rules are that everyone should operate their vessels safely and keep out of the way of other boats. Learn the lighting requirements and protocols for vessels and harbors. Remember that you are slow and nearly invisible. Avoid paddling in heavily traveled channels at night, especially in limited visibility (fog or rain).

Tools: In night navigation, planning the passage carefully is more important than in the daytime. Have a detailed nautical chart for this purpose. Road maps are useful for marking towns and highways. To avoid disorientation, a lighted steering compass is essential. Write down the characteristics and expected sighting time of light houses, towns, and harbors so you won't be confused by other lights. Look at your watch often and note mentally the time you pass these reference points.

Sights, Sounds, and Feelings: At night kayaks have some advantages over other craft. Paddlers can hear and feel things other boaters can't. Larger boats can rely on electronic aids like radar, depth sounders, and GPS or Loran. Paddlers have no distracting deck or cabin lights - keep it that way. Protect your night vision by wearing sun glasses during the day. Night vision is improved by using good binoculars and peripheral vision. Know what your visual reference points will be, but expect to be confused. Have confidence in your plan. Trust your compass. Avoid fatigue and excessive light by using the stars for steering a course.

Sounds: Boat noises, road traffic sounds, navigational aids (fog horns, buoys). Sounds of waves on coast: concussive waves on cave, roar of sandy beaches, clapping sounds on pebbly beaches. Occasionally, sea lions, birds, and kelp can mark the positions of points and offshore rocks.

Feelings: Pay attention to swell and reflecting waves; these can signal that rocks and the coast are near. Learn what current feels like. Get familiar with the wave patterns currents cause.

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Are You Ready for Emergencies ?

As paddlers, most of use are aware that problems can occur on the river. From the time we begin boating, we are trained to avoid strainers, watch how high we raise our elbows when bracing, and to keep our feet up and downstream when we end up taking a swim. A large number of paddlers even take a rescue course at some point, because they recognize that there are situations which happen on the river which require immediate attention.

A good number of paddlers will carry the tools they need to deal with the problems which can be expected. A large number will carry a 'biner or two, some will carry webbing or a couple prusik loops, most will carry a throw rope. You will even see the occasional first aid kit. That sounds like plenty of stuff to deal with problems. Or does it?

What have I missed? Probably the most important tool needed in just about any emergency. The knowledge to use those tools. The training to be able to effectively deal with the problem. Your knowledge of how to handle emergencies can make the difference between life and death. Let's take a look at a couple of incidents which have occurred on the river. In April of 1991, a young boy from an Alabama canoe club was at the scene when a couple of members of their group pinned their canoe on the Locust Fork River. Being on shore due to a swim he and his father had taken, they offered to help the twosome, who were now trying to release their boat from a midstream rock.

It's unclear why or how the youngster ended up in the water, but as he tried to get his footing, it became wedged between two rocks. The unfortunate victim was then swiftly forced under the water. Only, quick thinking and his close proximity to the two people on the rock enabled him to be quickly stabilized, until a successful rescue effort could be accomplished.

Once the boy was brought to shore, a quick examination indicated his leg had been broken by the force of the current.

Two types of training come into play in this situation. The obvious is swiftwater rescue, but just as important is first aid and CPR. Once a victim has been extricated and brought to shore, they must be checked for injuries. Some types of life threatening injuries, especially in water related accidents, may not be as apparent as an artery spurting blood. In this case, simple first aid skills like applying a splint were sufficient, but often this is not the case. Knowing how to properly assess the patients condition can be crucial.

In early August of 1990, a group of boaters from a Pennsylvania paddling club were running the Lower Yough. Entrance rapid is known for sending the wakeup call to many a paddler who hasn't quite gotten up to speed yet, and soon a couple members of the group were upside down.

While members of the group assisted one swimmer, the other paddler attempted to roll. After numerous tries the boater came all the way up, only to go completely over again. Continuing downstream, the boat suddenly rose up, as though the victim were kicking out or the boat had hit a rock. When assistance finally arrived, the unfortunate paddler was still under the boat lying flat against the rear desk unconscious.

After righting the boat, the unconscious victim was observed to have a blue-gray tint to the lips and face, and was not breathing. Rescuers exited their boats and began providing basic life support, while others were sent to get help from the rangers. While a weak pulse was found, the victim was not breathing when first assessed. Rescue breathing was provided for a short time, until normal respiration returned.

Upon examination by paramedics at the scene, the victim was placed on oxygen, secured to a backboard, and evacuated over the Cucumber Trail to a waiting ambulance.

The skills needed to rescue this victim were fairly simple. Common sense, and a short course in CPR provided the knowledge necessary to save this paddlers life. But what if rescue breathing hadn't been administered immediately? Is there time to search out someone else in the group who has these basic skills? The answer to that question is simply, NO! In this particular case, the bluish tint to the skin and the weak pulse indicate that the victim was extremely close to cardiac arrest. And while CPR can be administered to patients who are in cardiac arrest, the chances for survival are much better for victims who require only rescue breathing.

So how do we know what training we need? Look at the situations you are most likely to encounter. Water related accidents usually involve certain types of injuries. Drowning, leg and ankle injuries, shoulder dislocations, and occasional cuts and bruises. First and foremost, get CPR training. These are skills which no paddler should be without. Second, basic first aid training will help you stabilize other injuries like cuts, broken bones, and shoulder dislocations. While advanced skills are great, it's the simple skills which are more often needed.

Look at the things you carry. Before paddling whitewater most people realize that they need someone to show them how to use the paddle they just purchased. The same goes for rescue gear and first aid kits. It does little good to carry it, if you need to read the manual to use it.

Look at where you will be. Most of the rivers run when we first begin paddling are surrounded by roads, and easy access to medical assistance. A basic first aid and CPR program and some swiftwater rescue training will meet the needs of most situations.

As our skills progress, we get further from advanced life support. Extended distances require more training. Wilderness first aid programs are highly recommended. But don't forget the basics! Like mathematics, where addition and subtraction are prerequisites to multiplication and division, basic first aid and CPR training are needed here, too.

So, are you prepared? Well if you have the training, that's not where it ends. Just like any other skill, if you don't use it, you're sure to loose it. Swiftwater rescue skills take practice to know when and where to use different techniques. CPR and first aid certifications must be renewed periodically for good reason. So unless your paddling buddies are providing plenty of practice, it's advisable to take a first aid and CPR program once a year.

Author Profile: Wayne Sundmacher is the co-author with Charlie Walbridge, of a new book entitled 'Whitewater Rescue Manual", which will be released through Ragged Mountain Press in April '95. Wayne has many years of experience in the swiftwater rescue field, both performing rescues and teaching paddlers and rescue professionals nation wide.

WILLAMETTE KAYAK & CANOE CLUB Article reproduced from The Drift, a publication of MASK (Metropolitan Area Sea Kayakers)

Fatal Pin on the E. Fork of the Lewis Rock Creek to Moulton Falls Park

Washington State Date: 2/27/94 River Level: Estimated at 2500 cfs Difficulty: Class 4

Summary: Barbara Harper, 25, of Portland, Oregon was killed after being pined and submerged on a log on the East Fork of the Lewis River in Washington State. Her body, still pinned in the boat, was recovered three days later after rescue workers, using tyroleans and gas powered winches, successfully removed the log from the river.

Description: Barbara was a intermediate kayaker who had successfully run a number of class IV and some class V rivers. She was a champion athlete and was exceptionally fit and strong. On the day of the accident, Barb paddled a modern plastic kayak with a keyhole cockpit, bulkheads and float bags. She was wearing an approved high volume PFD, helmet, and dry suit. She was one of the few party members who had done this run before.

The rest of the group consisted of seven other paddlers who ranged in ability from intermediate to advanced. Two members of the group were certified Swift Water Rescue Technicians and one was also a trained EMT. Another member had several years of experience as a professional guide and most of the other boaters had climbing experience and, in general were adapt at working as a team with rope and hardware in hazardous situations. The group was well equipped with a rescue lifejacket, plenty of hardware and a variety of throw ropes.

The run began on Rock Creek which is a small tributary to the main river. On that day, Rock Creek was fill with a variety of hazards ranging from abandoned foot bridge cable to river-wide log jams. The group portaged around 4 or 5 hazards and spent a great deal of time out of the boats, scouting routes. Once the group entered the much higher volume main river, there were fewer obstacles, yet they stayed together and proceeded conservatively.

Approximately one mile upstream from Naked Falls, the group eddied out above a class III drop to scout from the boats. A log, 8 inches in diameter, rose vertically out of the water, pointing upstream at about 50 degrees off the river bed. Together the group assessed the situation and observed there was a clear route to the right of the log with plenty of room to maneuver. One by one, three boaters left the eddy and two easily avoided the log. The third boater later commented that he momentarily contemplated going left of the log, then opted to go right; he had to paddle somewhat aggressively to compensate of his moment of indecisiveness. Barbara the left the eddy. She was in control, and ferrying right of the log when she appeared to hesitate for a moment. She then attempted to paddle and hit the log broadside, across the cockpit of the boat. But then bear-hugged the log and after being tossed around some, was completely submerged.

Four of the group scrambled ashore, one worked from a kayak in the water and two paddled downstream for help. Immediately, a swimmer, secured with a rope from the rescue jacket, attempted several times to reach the stern of the boat which was about a foot under water. After several attempts, static lines were connected from the shore to the log, and the swimmer was belayed to the boat, but was unable to attach a line because of the extreme hydraulics of the fast moving water. During the rescue attempt, the hydraulics blew Barb's PFD and helmet off. After 40 minutes, well beyond any hope of survival, the group opted to stop their efforts and concentrate on getting off the river before darkness set in.

Analysis:

1. The group quickly assembled itself, developed a sound concerted rescue strategy and ensured that no one else's life was endangered.

2. Barb was notorious for her perseverance to stay in the boat and try to roll to avoid a swim. Her perseverance and bear-hug of the drowning machine may well have cost her life. two strong paddle strokes, or a quick ejection from the boat may have saved her.

3. In kayaking, there is no stable platform which to facilitate a rescue. Swimming may be required. A rescue life jacket or belt with a quick release is invaluable.

4. Logs in the river create unique hydraulics as water flows smoothly under, over, and around them. As one boater put it, once you hit near this sort of hazard, it can act like a magnet and effectively suck you in.

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Safety in the Sun

Wave~Length Paddling Network June - July 1996

Notes on effective sun screening

also check out ( Sun Glasses )

The sun emits three forms of radiation: infrared, visible, and ultraviolet. Inferred and visible light are valuable because they provide warmth and the ability to see. But ultraviolet light can be harmful. It consists of three basic wavelengths: Ultraviolet A (longest), Ultraviolet B (mid-length), Ultraviolet C (shortest). Each penetrates the atmosphere differently and affects health in different ways.

UVA rays are high in intensity all day long, and not just between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. as are the UVB rays.

UVA rays are similar in intensity from one season to another, while UVB rays are less intense during the winter months.

UVA rays are similar in intensity in any geographic location between the two poles whereas UVB rays become more intense as the equator is approached.

Unlike UVB, UVA rays can penetrate through glass and plastic.

We now know that the increase of harmful ultraviolet radiation reaching the earth is due to the increased concentration of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in the upper atmosphere. While governments world-wide are moving quickly to ban the production of CFCs, these chemicals still continue to drift upward from our industrialized countries.

In the upper atmosphere, the chlorine atoms in CFCs attack ozone, taking away one oxygen atom from the three-oxygen-atom ozone molecule to form chlorine monoxide. That begins a chain reaction in which chlorine monoxide attaches to another oxygen atom to form an oxygen molecule and a chlorine atom. That chlorine atom can destroy thousands of ozone molecules.

Now scientists are recognizing that other chemicals do similar damage to the ozone. But even if all such chemicals are banned, it will be decades before the maximum ozone depletion will be reached. We have to both eliminate ozone-eating pollution of all kinds, and protect ourselves from the sun.

The Effects of UV Light

Eyes -- cataracts can develop, causing the lens to cloud up, resulting in blurred vision and, without treatment, blindness.

Skin -- exposure leads to accelerated aging, wrinkling and skin cancer.

Immune System -- the body is made more susceptible to infectious diseases through reduced immune response.

Crops -- by interfering with photosynthesis, there are lower crop yields.

Marine Life -- radiation decreases the growth of phytoplankton, the mainstay of the ocean food chain.

How To Be Safe In The Sun

Keep sun exposure to a minimum, especially between 1000 and 1500 hours, when the sun's rays are most intense.

Use a sunscreen liberally, and reapply every two hours when working, playing, or exercising outdoors. The sunscreen should be applied before putting on a bathing suit so no areas are missed.

Beware of clouds, since up to 80% of the sun's harmful rays can penetrate haze, light clouds and fog

Wear appropriate clothing during prolonged periods in the sun, including a hat, long-sleeved shirt and pants.

Wear 100 percent UV-protected sunglasses that wrap around the eyes. Darker sunglasses do not necessarily filter out the UV rays unless they are specially coated.

Beware of reflective surfaces. Sand, snow, concrete, water, and even glossy textbook pages can reflect up to 85% of the sun's damaging rays.

Examine your skin and your children's regularly for any changes in moles, freckles, or skin discoloration's.

Avoid tanning booths, and refrain from using sunlamps. The ultraviolet rays that they emit can cause sunburn and premature aging of the skin, suppress the immune system and increase the risk of skin cancer.

Protect children by keeping them out of the sun or minimizing sun exposure. An effective sunscreen should be worn even by babies.

Teach children and teenagers sun protection. Damage caused by sun exposure accumulates over the course of a lifetime. Share your knowledge of safety in the sun with your friends and encourage then to practice it.

Protection with Sunscreens

The judicious and early use of sunscreens can protect against the most significant external factor in aging, the sun. Most sunscreens currently on the market, however, effectively block only UVB rays, not UVA. The concern is that people using high number sunscreens that block only UVB rays may still get high doses of UVA if natural warning signs, such as sunburn, are suppressed by these sunscreens.

Recognition of the damaging effects of UVA rays has set the wheels in motion for the reformulation of sunscreens to more effectively block UVA rays as well. Sunscreens contain various agents which have been proven to protect against the rays of the sun. Para-aminobenzoic acid or PABA, PABA esters, and cinnimates are all agents which effectively protect against UVB rays. Benzophenones and Parsol 1789 are effective in protecting against UVA rays. So, to be totally protected, select a sunscreen with a combination of two of these agents, one for UVB rays and one for UVA.

Theoretically SPF simply means the factor of time greater than normal that it takes for ultraviolet light from the sun's rays to burn the skin. For example, if the unprotected skin burns in one minute, an SPF 15 sunscreen would allow 15 minutes of sun exposure before sunburn. An SPF greater than 15 provides diminishing returns.

Use of Sunscreens

Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 to sun-exposed areas of the skin.

Apply sunscreen about 30 minutes before sun exposure when the body is cool and dry so it will bind better to the skin.

Reapply sunscreen throughout the day according to the amount of sun exposure you receive. If you are participating in sports which make you perspire, reapply sunscreens every hour.

Protect the sun-exposed areas of the body all year round.

Apply adequate amounts of sunscreen, one ounce for one body for one application. If you are using adequate amounts of sunscreen, you should be purchasing it as regularly as you purchase toothpaste. High-risk areas for cancer such as the face and hands should receive an extra dose of sunscreen. If you don't mind the look of a total block, use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide on the particularly sensitive areas such as the nose and cheek bones. They are available in white and a variety of colors.

Be thorough in your application; sun-exposed skin which is not covered will burn.

If you are wearing loosely woven clothing, put sunscreens on underneath them. The sun also penetrates wet clothing easily.

Wear waterproof or water-resistant sunscreens if you plan to be in the water. Waterproof sunscreens last for 1 and 1/2 hours and water-resistant sunscreens for about 30-40 minutes. They should be reapplied to dry skin allowing a bonding period of 20 minutes before re-entering the water.

Information courtesy of Dermtek Pharmaceuticals, makers of Ombrelle.

Also see UV AND YOU: SUNSHINE AND SAFE SKIN

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Uncivilized Emergencies

by Kip W. Koelsch

When help is not just a phone call away...

6 a.m. I was lying in a half-sleep - partially awakened by my wife getting up to use the bathroom. I was jolted completely awake by a sudden thud and a raspy gasping sound. In the bathroom I found my wife slumped halfway into the tub. There was no response to my yelling or shaking so I moved her to where I could work on her easier. While continuing to talk to her, I positioned her head so her airway would be open. She began breathing.

The above incident happened in my house in downtown Sarasota, Fla., ten feet from the nearest phone; around the corner from the nearest rescue squad; less than ten minutes form the local hospital. Even though I was trained to deal with the situation, I always had the option of dialing 911 for help. Last autumn on our overnight kayaking trip to Anclote Key, or last weekend while paddling for the day on the Myakka River, my options may have been different. How different? There are five major factors which make emergency situations in the wilderness unlike emergencies in civilization.

1. Distance. Medical emergencies can become backcountry emergencies when you are more than one hour from definitive care (EMS or hospital) - it may be a remote day paddle on a local river or a camping trip to an offshore island. In either case, there may be a need to stabilize a patient for a longer period of time to compensate for slower means of evacuation and communication.

2. Safety. Always put your safety and the safety of your group first. Do not create another victim. If evacuation is impeded by weather or darkness and prolonged care is necessary, make sure the groups basic needs are satisfied first - assign someone to set up shelter, someone to cook, someone to get water, etc. Safety is the primary factor to consider when evaluating the next two characteristics of wilderness emergencies - environmental concerns and hazardous access.

3. Environmental concerns. The conditions surrounding the emergency scene may be extreme - bad weather, big waves, strong currents, severe heat or cold. You may have to contend with these elements when formulating your resonse to the emergency. Assign someone to build a fire or erect a sunshade while you begin working on the patient.

4. Difficult or Harardous Access. Falling rocks, pounding surf, unstable footing, changing tides, or swift currents may make the patient unsafe to reach. Again, fall back on safety first - will resucing the victim put you or your group in danger?

5. Improvisation of Equipment. Although sea kayaks can carry a tremendous amount of equipment, they cannot be loaded with stretchers, bandages, medication, splints, backboards, or gear to address every emergency situation. Beyond the basic first aid kit, you must learn to create needed equipment from the contents of your boat or from the environment. Sleeping pads make excellent splints. So do paddles in some situations. Tied correctly, a long-sleeved shirt can make a sling. Everything can be used for something. Ransack the supplies of the injured party first - they may not be needing them and there will be less to carry should an evacuation prove necessary. Finally, use your human resources - assign everyone in your group a task. For the trip leader, it is obvious that group and personal safety are of primary importance. If, while leading a kayak camping trip, I saw my wife lying on a steep trail leading from our camp on the beach to a rocky overlook, my reaction would have been different than it was in our house. There would be no telephone in the next room. I would have taken the following steps to assure my safety and to assess the situation:

1. Survey the scene. Can the patient be reached safely? Would clambering up a rocky trail endanger myself? Are there falling rocks? Consider the environmental conditions. Is the weather too severe to risk exposure? Is there lightning? When the safety of your group and your personal safety are established, proceed to the next step.

2. Is it a Wilderness Situation? Determine if the distance, time, or communication factors warrant following the protocol for wilderness first aid. My wife being injured on an uninhabited barrier island two miles from shore would require a very different response than if she had passed out paddling along the local causeway.

3. Primary Assessment. Begin determining the patients condition - as trained by a qualified organization.

Of course, the best way to deal with all kayaking emergencies is to avoid them. Proper training and advanced preparation are basic to safe, enjoyable involvement in any outdoor activity. Seek qualified instruction in first aid, outdoor leadership, and outdoor skills (see sidebar). A new skill, new geographical area, new season, or new weather conditions always require further research and training. Sea kayaking is different from river kayaking, canoeing, or white water rafting. Paddling from rocky island to rocky island in Maines cool waters is vastly different from island hopping in the shallow warm waters of Floridas Ten Thousand Islands. A winter paddle can last from sunrise to sunset, but it may be best to break early in summer to avoid the danger of an afternoon thunderstorm.

Preparedness means not only knowing how to handle your boat or weather conditions, but how to handle your group. It is as important to know as much about your group as it is to know the local tidal variation. Who has first aid or leadership training? Who has kayaking or camping experience? Who is allergic to bee stings? Who is asthmatic? Does someone have a bad shoulder or wrist? Be oriented to deal with problems before they happen. Know where the epinephrine is and how to inject it. Know where the inhaler is for your asthmatic. Tailor your paddling mileage so as not to aggravate shoulder or wrist problems. Myself? We now carry a note on all our outdoor trips that addresses my wifes diagnosed hypoglycemia. We carefully monitor her carbohydrate intakes and exercise levels. And, just in case, we have a sugary solution in our first aid kit to revive her. It may be a cliche, but the Boy Scout motto still rings true: Be prepared. I know I would not want to lose someone I love.

Note: This article is by no means a substitute for proper training. The following organizations offer nationally recognized courses in first aid, wilderness first aid, outdoor skills, and leadership.

American Red Cross

Check with your local chapter for courses offered in your area.

SOLO Wilderness and Emergency Medicine RFD 1, Box 163, Tasker Hill Conway, NH 03818 (603) 447-6711 (offers marine-oriented courses at a base in Maine)

Wilderness Medical Associates RFD 2, Box 890 Bryant Pond, ME 04219 (207) 665-2707

Both SOLO and WMA offer courses at their home office and at various sites throughout the eastern U.S.

Kip Koelsch is a certified Wilderness First Responder. He currently works as the Outdoor Program Coordinator for Sarasota's Outdoor Product Store where he leads guided, interpretive hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and backpacking trips. He has published articles in Florida Quarterly, Sarasotan Quarterly, The Asbury Park Press, The Longboat Observer, Atlantic Coastal Kayaker, The Florida Sea Kayaking Assn. News, and The Florida Fish and Wildlife News. Unfortunately, writing articles takes away from time he should be spending writing his masters thesis .

Also see Survival Bible

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Canoe and Kayak Magazine

AVOIDING INJURY

By Claudia Kerckhoff-van Wijk
Contributing Editor

Target specific muscles groups used in paddling and add warm-up and streching routines to your trip plan.

It’s a bright summer morning and you and your friends have a full-day river run planned. You meet at the edge of your favorite river, unload the boats, change into your paddling gear, scout the first rapid, and jump into your boats, ready to tackle the challenges ahead. Sounds like a typical paddling scenario and a wonderful day, except for one thing: you and your friends all could be prime targets for serious paddling injuries if you overlooked one of the most important factors in paddling -- the warm-up.

It is crucial to warm up before any exercise. “Prevention is the key to dealing with paddling-related injuries,” says Dr. Bernard Lalonde, sports physician, avid kayaker, and doctor for the Canadian Whitewater Team. Warm-up exercises increase the blood circulation to the muscle areas that will be worked and aid the stretching process. Be specific when choosing your exercises and target the paddling-related muscle groups: the forearms, shoulders, back, and stomach. Try to stretch these muscles in the direction opposite to how they will be used on the river.

It’s important to continue your stretching exercises throughout the river trip. Stop and stretch from the seat of your boat. Use the time spent in eddies as productive stretching time. It can be a rest for the mind and body. Wrist or forearm tendinitis is an injury that commonly afflicts paddlers. Gripping the paddle shaft keeps the forearm muscles in a constant state of contraction and can lead to tendinitis, an inflammation that results from microscopic tearing of the tendons. The pain of tendinitis can become severe enough to inhibit your ability to grip the paddle shaft, which could be a serious problem downriver.

To help combat tendinitis, try applying some of these tips.

No matter how eager you are to get out on the river, always take the time to complete a good warm-up: specifically, stretching the forearm muscles before you start paddling (see diagram 1).

Make a point of periodically removing your hands from the paddle shaft. This will give your muscles a break and allow them to relax. Also, regularly stretch the muscles in the opposite direction to the paddle grip.

When paddling, point your baby finger on the forward punch of the forward stroke (see diagram 2). This maintains a solid grip on the shaft while giving the muscle some rest. In flat water, you can open up the whole hand on the forward punch. This extends the muscle on every stroke.

Consider the bent-shaft paddle. It is ergonomically designed and follows the natural motion of your wrist. The bent-shaft paddle is primarily used by kayak racers because it keeps the wrist in a straight line and offers a more powerful anatomical pull. A straight paddle forces you to cock your wrist every time you punch forward, causing an increased strain on the muscle. Many recreational paddlers with recurring forearm tendinitis have switched to bent-shaft paddles for relief.

There is no need to suffer for your sport. You are smart while you are out on the water, so warming up before you put in shouldn’t be a problem if you take a few minutes to stretch properly. Try to make it fun -- your muscles will thank you.

Claudia Kerckhoff-van Wijk is a 10-time national champion and former bronze World’s medalist. She is the owner/director of the Madawaska Kanu Centre, Canada’s premier whitewater school for kayaks and canoes.

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Wilderness First Aid

Wilderness first aid is one of those things that, if you have all the gear, knowledge and training, you probably won't need to use. Maybe this is because groups that adequately prepare themselves are also relatively safety-conscious and don't get into trouble in the first place. The fact that you are isolated and far from help should inform everything you do, whether that be handling hot pots over a fire or running a rapid. Prevention is a much less painful and expensive option than a wilderness medevac.

Proper preparation is crucial for wilderness first aid. Take a first aid course before your trip - it is pointless to have a well stocked medical kit if you don't know how to use it. There are many excellent first aid courses available through St. John's Ambulance and other organizations. The dilemma is that most first aid courses assume that the ambulance is 10 minutes away and that the victim can swiftly be transported to a hospital. Try to find a wilderness or backcountry-oriented course if you can. Better courses use extensive simulations and role playing components to teach the participants how to deal with real- life situations. Unless one uses first aid skills frequently the retention time of this knowledge is surprisingly short and frequent recertification is essential (every 3 years).

A CPR course is highly recommended if you are going to be doing a lot of canoeing; artificial resuscitation is a hands-on skill and cannot be learned from a book. The ABC concept (Airway, Breathing, and Circulation) may well save the life of someone in your group. Remember that ALL near-drowning victims MUST be seen by a doctor AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Even if the victim seems fine and is eager to go, complications associated with water inhalation are almost certain to arise

On a short trip you might only carry a basic first aid kit. The most frequently used items in your kit will probably be Band-Aids, so be sure to take an adequate supply. Your kit should include a checklist which you go over before every trip to ensure that all the components are there. On a longer trip, or with a larger group, you will want to carry one of several first aid books as well as a medical kit, which should be carried separately from the first aid kit.

If you want to send your first aid instructor ballistic, ask him about carrying antibiotics and other prescription drugs. Very few certifying bodies condone the self-administration of such medication, yet on a long, remote trip you may have no other choice. The best advice I can give is to visit your family doctor, wilderness medicine book in hand, and tell him or her about your planned expedition. Hopefully you will be able to get the prescriptions you need for a long or remote trip. The good news is that you may enjoy a lifetime of canoeing without a serious mishap: I have never had to use any of the prescription antibiotics, antinauseants, antihistamines, or painkillers in my expedition mini- pharmacy.

Serious injury or illness in remote areas will usually involve evacuation to medical facilities. In researching your trip you should find out if there are any inhabited areas along your route including cabins, cottages, fish camps or native settlements. Most people living in the bush have some form of radio communication and may be able to summon help. Fish camps often have float planes coming in on a semi-regular basis which you might be able to commandeer in a medical emergency. If you are trying to flag a plane down in an emergency, light three fires to attract attention: three of anything is a universal signal for help. A huge SOS in the sand and a signaling mirror might be useful additions to your fire. Any plane or helicopter-based rescue is expensive and not covered by most health insurance plans, so be careful out there!

Basic First Aid Kit

Aspirin or Tylenol - 100 tablets Tylenol 3 (aspirin and codeine - prescription only) - 30 tablets Antihistamine - 20 tablets Laxative - 10 tablets Anti-diarrhea tablets - 25 Band-Aids of varying size and shape - 30 Sterile gauze pads, 4 " squares - 5 Porous adhesive tape, 1" wide - 1 Waterproof adhesive tape, 1" wide - 1 Spenco Second Skin (for burns), 2" x 4" - 4 Elastic bandage, 3" wide - 1 Triangular bandages - 2 Safety pins - 10 Antiseptic cleaning solution - 2 ounces Calamine lotion - small bottle Scissors - 1 Tweezers - 1

Medical Kit

Quantities depend on size of party and length of trip. For additional ideas on kit composition please see the referenced books.

Basic first aid kit, carried separately Medical reference book

Anakit (for anaphylactic shock) Aspirin Morphine (oral or injectable) or codeine Penicillin Tetracycline Ciprofloxacin Antihistamines Antinauseants/motion-sickness agents Oil of cloves (for dental pain) Long-acting decongestant spray Sunscreen

Sterile gauze, various sizes Spenco Second Skin, various sizes Adhesive tape Band-Aids Butterfly strips Q-tips Triangular bandages and safety pins Moleskin

Pocket rescue mask (for artificial resuscitation) Surgical forceps Magnifying glass Penlight Scissors Scalpel and blades Syringe with wide-bore needle for irrigation Oral thermometer in protective case Sam Splint Elastic bandages, 2" and 6" Suture equipment if doctor or veterinarian is on trip .

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Safety: Paddling Tools to Strive For

by Tom Bergh

"So, we're going paddling today...all right. Lets do it! Hurry up. Don't worry about the weather, the sky looks clear. We'll just paddle in the bay, we don't need any other gear. Sure your friend can come along. He hasn't paddled before so bring that old river boat for him. No we don't need water bottles...we'll be back before lunch..."

If this sounds familiar, then either you are a very good and lucky paddler...or you are foolish. Every day on the water we should be balancing three primary considerations. Each must be re-appraised as any factor changes.

1.What are the skills & limits of each paddler?

2.What are the environmental conditions and variables?

3.What are the limitations of our gear and equipment?

Now we're talking about a small part of #1. Safe sea kayaking requires a wealth of well-honed personal skills and abilities overlaid with good decision making, evaluation, and judgment. Effective, safe paddling requires commitment to developing your strokes. There is a wealth of literature on the elements of the strokes, and the Atlantic Coast is graced with numerous great schools and instructors if that is your way. So I leave the basics to them. Instead I hope to suggest to you what tools you should have or strive for as a minimum if you paddle on the sea.

- Overall Control. You should be able to put your boat where you want it, when you want it, and how you want it in all conditions you may paddle in. If you can't compensate for the wind or are uncomfortable in the chop, perhaps something needs attention? Of course, each boat tracks, turns, carves, rolls, and reacts to wind and sea states differently. Your strokes help you enjoy these differences and your day. With each stroke understand and feel the angle of your paddle and your hull on the water, know what your lower body is doing, your trunk, your arms, your head, and your paddle. Kayak strokes are nothing more than effectively linking you up with two inanimate planes - your paddle face and your hull. You should know each stroke so well that you can adjust each to compensate for tired muscles, wind and sea conditions.

- Forward Strokes. These are some of the most difficult, and of course in a sea boater's tool kit the most used stroke. Understand why your body's trunk should be rotating, think of your seat in the boat, develop loose hands. experiment with vertical to horizontal shaft angles, find your pace and your rhythm. Learn to compute your paddling speed on flat water as well as in real conditions. Try different paddle lengths. We all should have a solid, go-all-day relaxed touring stroke and a strong, crisp, dynamic sprint stroke for fun and emergencies. You should comfortably imagine and blend forward strokes with turning and support elements.

- Changing Directions. You should practice your turns in the conditions you might paddle in. At the least acquire effective sweep strokes, stern rudders, and low brace turns. I'd suggest that you also build yourself solid bow rudders and high brace turns. Which one works best for you in three-foot beam seas and a 15 knot breeze, a following sea, or light surf? How quickly can you come about with each variation? Learn the elements of each so you can self-critique, assist "the friend", and make adjustments for tiredness, injury, conditions.

- Moving Sideways. You should have at least a strong draw and a sculling draw in your repertoire. The latter is great for developing blade angle finesse and provides more positive contact on the water. Experiment with the differences of drawing toward your bow - then your stern; why would you care? Be able to instantly convert your draw into forward acceleration. Be able to quickly draw your boat sideways...to rescue your partner, avoid a hazard, raft up or to counteract environmental factors. How long does it take you to move 10 feet sideways to your partner who is now blowing bubbles at you?

- Support and Recovery strokes. These tools develop confidence, increase commitment, allow you to experiment, and mostly reduce your chance of swimming. Certainly even the beginner needs a solid low brace, both stationery and moving. I think you also need commit to strong effective static and moving high brace recoveries and be able to scull for support. These will help keep you from growing gills as you paddle in our average East Coast conditions. You should be able to add a support element to parts of your other strokes. These tools open up the world of surf and rock garden moves.

- Edging and Leaning. Know and practice the differences and what they mean to you and your boat. These are major factors in controlling your boats direction, in assisting or resisting turning, in generating acceleration, in ferrying across a current, in catching an edge...in becoming a solid intermediate boater. If you can't comfortably edge your kayak, what happens when a wave does it for you? Perhaps you should be more careful where, when you go.

- Eskimo Rolling. Yes, I believe you need commit to acquiring this skill. You can get it. For safety reasons, a solid ability to roll is far more important on the ocean than the river. And I'll wager you will never forget the day you first roll. Just do it, its fun.

So engage yourself, commit to being responsible for your paddling, and set yourself free to experience the wonders of our seas. Its awesome out there.

Tom Bergh is owner of Maine Island Kayak Co. He is a Registered Maine Guide, BCU Senior Instructor and ACA Instructor.

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Lightning and Thunder

In the spring of 1997, my wife Debbie and I felt like doing some camping, but not like dealing with the fierce Northern Ontario blackflies. We drove down to Awenda Provincial Park (on Georgian Bay near Midland) and set up our tent trailer there.

On a clear, sunny day we decided to paddle out and do a circuit of Giant's Tomb Island, just across the bay from the park. We paddled the 4 km out to the island and up the 6 or 7 km of its length. As we were paddling back down the island, a typical Georgian Bay afternoon squall began to develop. We watched a blue "wall" of foul weather begin to roll in. We weren't at all concerned, since we could simply put ashore and wait out the storm. As we made our way down the island toward the southern tip, we noticed that the front seemed to be fairly stationary, not getting any closer to us. We eyeballed the front behind us, and the park shoreline 4 km in front of us and tried to decide what to do. Should we wait and see if the storm passed, or should we make a quick dash for the opposite shore?

We were hearing thunder in the background, but had not seen any lightning, and the front didn't seem to be moving very quickly, so we decided in favor of the quick dash. We paddled away from the island and began the crossing, with good-sized rollers pushing us along. When we were about one-third of the way across, we began to hear an increase in the amount of thunder and saw the first flashes of lightning. All of the pleasure boats suddenly disappeared.

The knowledge that you are the highest object in a 4 km square area of water is not a pleasant feeling. We had reached the point of no return - it would have taken us longer to paddle back to the island into the waves than it would have to keep going, so we carried on. We watched the lightning begin to flash even more frequently in the distance. Fueled by fear and adrenaline, we paddled even harder. We completed the 4 km crossing in less than half an hour, but it was the longest 30 minutes of my life.

Lightning can be a real threat to paddlers if they happen to be caught out in a storm. We don't seem to get hit as often as golfers, but we still hear of the occasional paddlers who get killed by lightning. We have to be aware of the weather conditions as they are developing. If ominous thunderclouds begin to develop in the west or northwest, we should be prepared to take action. Thunderclouds in other directions will generally miss us, since prevailing winds usually push our weather from the west and northwest, but there are no guarantees.

If thunderstorms begin to develop in our immediate area, the only sensible course of action is to get off the water as quickly as possible. Lightning seeks the easiest path between positive and negative, which means the highest object in the vicinity. If we are out in a canoe in open water, we are that highest object, and are putting ourselves at substantial risk.

Getting off the water also means that we are careful about not putting ourselves in danger in our place of refuge. We don't seek out the tallest, most magnificent white pine in the area and try to gain shelter under its branches. Tall trees are also lightning-attractors and we could be in just as much danger under them as we are in the water. The same applies for setting up camp. Putting our tents atop the root system of the tallest tree in the area is not a good idea.

Cliff Jacobson, the well-know author of canoeing books mentions a "cone of protection" which extends out at approximately 45° from the tops of the trees on the shoreline. The water in this area is supposedly fairly safe. In theory, lightning is more likely to hit the trees adjacent to this area than an object in the water. Still, lightning can jump from root systems or trees to canoes if they are close to shore so it means that we have to stay a bit away from the shoreline. I don't believe that I would want to be the person to test the theory about this "cone of protection", but if I absolutely had to paddle in a thunderstorm it seems to make sense that this is the lesser of many other evils.

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Outdoor Action Paddling Decision Tree

Navigation

Whenever paddling in whitewater (or sea kayaking) you need to be able to gauge how your skills, experience, and abilities match the difficulty of the water. Either as an individual or as a member of a group here are some of the questions we need to ask ourselves and be able to answer. Most of us run through a short list of these before a trip, but sometimes enthusiasm may cloud our judgment and we just dive in. So run through the list and add your own questions. If you find that many of the answers are not on the positive side of the questions or you're not sure, then you need to really consider not doing the river or the particular drop. Sea kayakers can adapt this list for their decision process such as, "have I done a crossing this long before," "have I done a crossing in these weather conditions", etc.).

One way to use these questions as a decision tool is to evaluate each question as either positive (something that adds to your ability to successfully run the river) or negative (something that limits or reduces your ability to successfully run this river). Obviously many of these questions are far more complicated than that, but forcing you into a + or - assessment will give you some visual idea of where you stand.

Remember, no one can make the decision for you. This checklist is designed only as a tool to help you objectively consider the factors, but it cannot evaluate your skill, physical, condition, metal preparedness, etc. It is not a replacement for good judgment. And remember, the river is a dynamic and unpredictable environment. Even the most skilled experts, after making careful and thoughtful decisions get into trouble and even die because something unpredicted happened--they missed their line, flipped unexpectedly, pitoned on an unseen rock, etc. The author and Princeton University assume no liability for you using this checklist to make any decision on the river.

The River

_____ Have I paddled this river before?

_____ Have I paddled this river before at this water level?

_____ How did I do paddling it at that level?

_____ Is this water level apt to make the river harder or easier than my previous experiences?

_____ How long has it been since I paddled this river?

_____ Is it possible or likely that the river has changed since then?

_____ When was the last time I paddled something of similar difficulty?

_____ How did I do with that other river?

_____ How cold is the water?

_____ How remote is this run? Is it along a busy road, a short walk out, a long walk out, isolated canyon, remote wilderness site, etc.?

(+)River Total (-)River Total

The Paddler

_____ What is my current level of physical fitness?

_____ How does that level compare to my fitness level for previous rivers of this difficulty?

_____ How much paddling have I been doing lately?

_____ How comfortable do I feel about being in the river and my skills?

_____ Do I have a roll?

_____ How reliable is it?

_____ How essential is a roll for this river?

(+)Paddler Total (-)Paddler Total

The Group

_____ Who am I paddling with?

_____ How many people?

_____ How much experience do they have with this river or with rivers of similar difficulty?

_____ How much rescue experience is there in the group?

_____ How much firs aid experience is there in the group?

_____ What are the implications for the other members in the group for my having difficulty?

_____ Will they be able to rescue or assist me?

_____ Will working to assist or rescue me place them at risk-minor, moderate, major, catastrophic?

(+)Group Total (-)Group Total

The Equipment

_____ Do I have all the necessary paddling equipment-boat, float bags, skirt, helmet, PFD, rescue gear, first aid kit, food, water?

_____ How appropriate is my clothing for the water temperature and weather conditions?

(+)Equipment Total (-)Equipment Total

The Actual Drop

_____ Have I run the drop before?

_____ Can I scout the drop from the boat or shore?

_____ Can I adequately see my line?

_____ Can I follow someone through?

_____ Can I paddle the line?

_____ Am I confident in my skills, equipment and fitness level that I can run the drop?

_____ Am I psychologically up for running the drop?

_____ How long is the drop?

_____ Are there any specific hazards in the drop that I must be able to avoid?

_____ Do I have the skills to avoid them?

_____ What are the consequences of not avoiding them-none, minor, moderate, major, catastrophic?

_____ What is the rescue potential the drop-can adequate rescues be set up from boats or from shore at sites that specifically need rescue backup?

_____ What are the rescue resources of the group? How many people have adequate knowledge/training in river rescue?

(+)Drop Total (-)Drop Total

Final Totals

Now add up your totals for each sub-category. This should help you evaluate your ability to safely manage the drop.

(+)Final Total (-)Final Total

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Giardia, Lyme Disease and other Post Trip Illnesses

by Rick Curtis

Outdoor Action Program Princeton University.

We hope that you had an exciting and enjoyable time in the wilderness on your latest trip. After you've gotten a shower and washed your clothes, there are a few important pieces of information you need to be aware of. All outdoor travelers may come in contact with things during the trip that can lead to illnesses later on. Typically, the signs and symptoms of these illnesses don't become apparent until after your trip is over, so it is important that you be able to recognize them. Should you experience some of the symptoms noted below after a wilderness trip, see your physician and describe your symptoms. Be sure to inform him or her about your backcountry trip since s/he may not initially identify the proper cause of the disease without knowing about your wilderness trip. Most of these illnesses can be treated effectively using antibiotics, as long as you go for treatment.

Water-borne Infections

Giardiasis:

Giardiasis refers to a syndrome of diarrhea, excess gas, and abdominal cramping. It