Surfski Knowledge Base

kathleen petereit
12/30/07 #3949

Today Nathan and I did another self rescue session. I dumped first 120 yards from shore with him watching me closely. It was 24 F with a slight beam breeze. I was comfrotable temp wise the whole way. I did notice the last 10 yards though that my knees seemed to be stiffening. I was breathing hard and it took an awful lot of effort to push my ski in that far. It was very slow moving. With just the slight breeze on my beam it was hard to stay on a straight line. I had my usual drysuit / fleece combo and no gloves as I use pogies. But I do have neoprene gloves easily accesible under my bungee. I was getting really tired.

Then Nathan, with a neoprene farmer john plus another neoprene pant, fleece top and paddling jacket and tall neoprene boots, dumped. He got about 10 yards and said his groin and armpits were getting wet and cold. He decided to remount and dumped again. He is very good and fast at remounting normally, the best out of our group. So I am not sure if it was because he was already cold and was not as agile. The 2nd attempt he got back on and paddled in.

The next test will be to see how far I can swim without the ski so if I ever have to make the decision whether or not to abandon my ski I will know what my limit is.

Kathleen

Re: 120 yard swim with ski
Erik Borgnes
12/30/07 #3950

Kathleen and others,

It's great info that you're getting with the cold water “survival swims”, and it will certainly add to the overall safety of yourself and to others that read and hear about your “experiments” and trials. I know that I am now more conservative in cold water because of all of you.

However, keep in mind that you can do long term damage to your extremities very easily with just such trials. For example, in 2002, I capsized in a K1 on the Columbia river in late January in waist deep water. It took me about 15 min to get back in the K1 while standing in the water, but I eventually managed and had no hypothermia or other sequelae from that exposure. Three weeks later, I capsized again but in deep water and about 30 yds from shore. I had on similar clothing inappropriate for long term immersion. I got back to shore fine, but in the 30 - 45 sec or so that I was swimming in the 34 degree water (1 C.), my calf muscles seized up. They have bothered me since then by cramping during runs, bike rides, races - I think that I permanently gel'd some tissues in those muscles. Also, during that second swim, all my fingers went numb and turned white. It took a week for my fingers (and calf muscles) to get full feeling back again. Six years later, I still have lots of problems with several fingers being super-sensitive to cold - they turn white and get numb for hours even if the cold exposure is only a few minutes.

So, be careful and you might want to think twice about making practice icewater swims a frequent occurrence as effects on the extremities can be long lasting.

Erik - warm and dry on the erg

Re: 120 yard swim with ski
Bill Walker <paddlazz@…>
12/31/07 #3953

Another thing to think about in continued cold-weather rescue practce is exostosis, a bony growth in the ears caused by your body's attempt to protect the inner ear from repeated exposure to cold water. There's a vivid description of the condition here:
http://www.proplugs.com/surfing.shtml

Fortunately you can protect yourself for under ten bucks. Most whitewater kayakers I know use ear plugs, and they're certainly something to consider if you're spending a lot of time in/on winter waters. If you purchase them, make sure you get the vented variety which allow some sound in.

Fine paddlesports and dive shops in your neighborhood should carry Doc's proplugs or other brands.

Bill

Re: 120 yard swim with ski
Michael Gregory
12/31/07 #3954

Yes, yes - the Columbia River Cold Water Blues. That's what is responsible for the horrid brain dysfunction common among paddlers up north here. Along with exostomosisies, premature greying, and impulse control issues - these folks can't keep from going out on cold paddles again and again. Ironically, the cure is said to be found by drinking large glasses of cold beer! Go figure?

Mike G.

Re: 120 yard swim with ski
piddlertom
01/02/08 #3966

Kathleen,

Your enthusiasm for learning and practicing self rescues is inspiring.

May I suggest one more option: try using the paddle as you swim. The British Canoe Union teaches swimming with the paddle and it has proven very effective for me. Simply hold the paddle out in front of you while lying in the water and start stroking just as you would naturally swim, only gaining purchase on the water with the paddle blade instead of your hand. It may seem cumbersome at first, but give it some time. I am quite a bit faster swimming with the paddle, and I cover a lot more distance with each stroke as the wing blade gets much more purchase on the water than my hand ever could.

I swam in after my ski years ago on a beautifully whitecapped February afternoon in Bellingham Bay, wearing a drysuit and using my wing blade. Its something that I've taught and practiced for years and when I needed to do it that February day, it was very natural for me. I am NOT a good swimmer in general, and no one who knows me would say that I'm in great shape, yet, as Brad Clements can attest to, I made what I consider to be Godspeed that afternoon.

Give it a try and see what you think. Cheers,

Tom L.