By Nick Pritchard
Many folks do not often even consider winter paddling, but if done properly there can be a lot of advantages to winter paddling. Some reasons to go winter paddling include the peacefulness during the winter, the beautiful scenery, and often the crystal clear water. The scenery during the winter gives the photographer a fantastic opportunity to take one of a kind pictures.
Obviously the biggest winter paddling is the constant heat loss. You're body is fighting heat loss from five different areas; the wind (convection), contact with the water/paddle/boat (conduction), your breathing (respiration), your sweat (evaporation), and your bodies normal heat output (radiation). With the proper equipment and preparation you can lessen your heat loss so that you can enjoy all that winter paddling has to offer.
To slow heat loss through convection you should have on a windproof layer that will protect you from the wind and also enough insulation to keep you comfortably warm. If you have too many insulating layers on you will begin to sweat which will cool you down very rapidly once you take a break. So it is important to have on enough insulation to keep you warm but not too many. This is often difficult to judge especially if you are just getting into the sport so going on a few shorter trips will help you gauge what you need. Remember to take extra layers with you in case you needed to take a wet layer off or in case of emergency. Also, it is essential to have a stocking cap with you because of the significant heat loss through you're head.
To slow heat loss through conduction you should have on a full drysuit (this also acts as your windproof layer from above). Water is 25x more effective at absorbing heat when compared with air (which is why sweating during winter months is so dangerous). A full drysuit will help protect you from the water in case of capsize. These suits are made out of a waterproof breathable fabric and should have latex wrist and neck gaskets and they often have latex socks. A drysuit is preferable to a thick wetsuit because to get the type of thermal protection you would need from a wetsuit it would be immobilizing. A drysuit offers you the ability to layer underneath the suit while still maintaining good range of motion. In addition to a drysuit you should have neoprene or waterproof paddling gloves, a neoprene hood, thick booties to keep your feet warm, and obviously you're personal flotation device (PFD). Cold is also conducted through the boat from the water so you may consider adding a piece of closed cell foam (ensolite sleeping pad) under your seat and your feet.
One of the best ways to reduce your heat/water loss from respiration is to breath through your nose. This can take a little training because most of us do not do this naturally but it can significantly reduce the amount of heat/water you lose from breathing through your mouth.
To combat heat loss through evaporation, as discussed above, you should have enough layers on to keep you warm but not too many so that you start to sweat. If you have been sweating it will start to freeze, particularly when you take a break. This further increases your heat loss, creating a bad situation. Another thing that will help you reduce the amount of sweat build up that occurs is having a drysuit that is breathable. Some suits are more breathable than others so make sure to take breathability into account when looking for a drysuit. The two most common waterproof/breathable fabrics are Gore-Tex and eVent.
By taking the above steps you will also slow heat loss from radiation. The most important consideration for heat loss from radiation is heat loss through your head. If the rest of your body is covered (drysuit, gloves, booties) and your head is left exposed you will lose a significant amount of heat through your head. If your head is not protected from the cold and you capsize you are likely to become disoriented as soon as your head is submerged.
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Let Someone Know Where You Are Going
By Nick Pritchard
One of the most important steps in your pre-trip planning is to let someone know where you are going and when you should be expected back. Even if you only plan on going out for a few hours it is always a good idea to let someone know where you will be in case you don't return, they will know you're missing and where to start looking. It is important that you leave this information with someone that you trust as well, someone that won't forget that you're out there. I find that this person is often a fellow paddler.
When you are going out on a more extended trip, particularly if it's in a new area, you should leave a float plan with the local land management agency. These agencies have the resources to initiate a search and rescue operation if necessary. Also, they often have the most up to date information on the area that you are going to, which could be very useful.
So what should be included on your float plan? Well, the more information the better. In general you should provide the following:
One of the most important steps in your pre-trip planning is to let someone know where you are going and when you should be expected back. Even if you only plan on going out for a few hours it is always a good idea to let someone know where you will be in case you don't return, they will know you're missing and where to start looking. It is important that you leave this information with someone that you trust as well, someone that won't forget that you're out there. I find that this person is often a fellow paddler.
When you are going out on a more extended trip, particularly if it's in a new area, you should leave a float plan with the local land management agency. These agencies have the resources to initiate a search and rescue operation if necessary. Also, they often have the most up to date information on the area that you are going to, which could be very useful.
So what should be included on your float plan? Well, the more information the better. In general you should provide the following:
- Trip dates
- Entrance and exit points
- Vehicle information (model, make, license plate number, color)
- Camping locations
- Number of participants
- Emergency contact for each participant
In addition to the above items it may be advisable to provide the following information:
- Type and color of boats
- Type and color of everyone's PFD
- Any relevant pre-existing medical conditions that an individual may have
- Emergency equipment that is on the trip
- Relevant training that each person has (First Aid, Swiftwater Rescue, etc.)
- What the group plans to do in case of an emergency
Remember, the more information the better. It is also essential to let the person that was watching out for you know when you get off the water! More than one search and rescue mission has been initiated because someone didn't let their contact know they were OK.
As always feel free to contact us if you have any questions!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Determine On Water Communications Prior To Departure
By Nick Pritchard
On water communications are an essential part of group trips. Whether the group is you and a friend or the whole family, on water communications ensure that everyone will be able to understand what is going on because many times talking/yelling is not effective. So to solve this problem some universal signals have been developed. Some groups may add a few of their own signals to the universal signals but either way everyone in the group should know the universal signals, this allows you to communicate with other parties on the river.
The universal signals are a made up of paddle/hand signals and whistle signals.
The paddle/hand signals are:
On water communications are an essential part of group trips. Whether the group is you and a friend or the whole family, on water communications ensure that everyone will be able to understand what is going on because many times talking/yelling is not effective. So to solve this problem some universal signals have been developed. Some groups may add a few of their own signals to the universal signals but either way everyone in the group should know the universal signals, this allows you to communicate with other parties on the river.
The universal signals are a made up of paddle/hand signals and whistle signals.
The paddle/hand signals are:
- Signal: Paddle/arm vertical, pointing straight up
- Purpose: "Go Ahead", "Come On Down", "All Clear", "Straight Ahead"
- Signal: Paddle/arm at a 45 degree angle to left or right
- Purpose: "Go In The Direction Which I'm Pointing"
- Note: You should never point towards an obstacle, point where you want the paddler to go.
- Signal: Paddle/arms horizontal, parallel to the ground
- Purpose: "Stop" or "Wait Where You Are"
- Note: When you get this signal there may be an unexpected hazard downstream or maybe the rescues are not set-up yet so you need to catch an eddy or stay in the one you're in.
- Signal: Paddle/arms waving back and forth
- Purpose: "Emergency" or "I Need Help"
- Note: This person obviously needs help so you should get to them as quickly as possible without endangering yourself or other group members.
- Signal: Two taps on the top of your helmet
- Purpose: "Are You OK?", "I'm OK"
- Note: This signal is both the question and the answer, if you do this to another paddler you are asking them if they are OK and if they are they should respond by returning the signal.
The whistle signals are a little bit more variable than the paddle/hand signals.
They are:
- Signal: Three short whistle blasts
- Purpose: "Emergency" or "I Need Help"
- Note: This signal never changes. It is internationally recognized as the universal signal for distress. It does not have to be whistle blasts either, while on the river that's most likely what you'll have. It could be three gunshots, three flashes of a light, three anything indicates distress.
- Signal: One short whistle blast
- Purpose: "Attention", "Look At Me", "Next Boat"
- Note: This signal could mean other things but it is most commonly used to either get the attention of the group. It may also be used if you are in a situation where can't see the end of a rapids, to signal the next boat that you made it through and they can come through.
- Signal: Two short whistle blasts
- Purpose: "Raft Up", "Attention"
There are many different signals out there and each group may have some different ones so it is important that before you push off everyone in the group is familiar with the signals that will be used during the trip. If you would like to see some more hand signals that may be used on the river click here.
Feel free to ask us if you have any questions!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Bring A First Aid Kit
By Nick Pritchard
Today's post is going to be about the importance of a first aid kit on each outing that you embark on.
I will start off with saying that there is no replacement for proper training. As a Wilderness First Responder and Red Cross Instructor I hope that everyone AT LEAST takes the eight hours to complete an American Red Cross First Aid & CPR course. You can find a course in your area here. I would highly recommend completing a Wilderness First Aid course or if you are an avid adventurer a Wilderness First Responder course. Both of these are fantastic courses that are offered all across the country at varying times throughout the year. When considering one of theses courses make sure that you are taking it through a reputable provider. Some of the more common names are WMA, WMI, SOLO, and WMTC.
Now back to the main topic, First Aid Kits.
It is important to bring a first aid kit on each outing for several reasons. The first reason is that you can't use it if you don't have it with you. These kits are often small enough to fit in your pocket or a small dry bag so there is no reason not to have it. Second, you never know what's going to happen. Third, it is a good practice to make your first aid kit part of your standard equipment so you get used to always having it with you. This lessens the chance that you will forget it on an extended trip too!
Once you have gained some medical knowledge you need to think about your first aid kit. Will you make one? Will you buy one? What should it have in it? How much is this going to cost?
Not to worry, this can be one of the more affordable pieces of equipment you have. If you generally do day trips in pretty popular areas you will probably be OK with putting some items in a sandwich sized Ziploc-type bag. So what do you put in there? Well that all depends on your personal needs, your training, your group, and the place that you are paddling. You will probably have some waterproof band-aids, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, moleskin, safety pins, sting eze, and some other items.
If you are going on an extended trip you will want something a little more comprehensive. This type of kit will probably have increased quantities of common items and a few more specialized items. After training and experience you will find what items you want to take with you and what you don't like to carry.
If you are interested in buying a first aid kit there are many currently available. The company that I use and have been very satisfied with is Adventure Medical Kits. They make a wide variety of kits including ones that are waterproof (I still place these in a dry bag). My personal favorite is the Ultralight/Watertight .9 because it came with a good variety of items and there was room for me to add items as well. It is important that if you do buy a first aid kit you go through it and familiarize yourself with it. You should also remove any items you don't know how to use and add any of your favorite products. Adventure Medical Kits also sells refills for your kit so that when you do use something you don't have to buy a whole new kit.
As with all of your equipment you should check your first aid kit before you go out paddling. Make sure that all the items are present and that none of the products have expired (a never ending battle).
If you do use an item out of your first aid kit you should replace it as soon as possible.
Please feel free to contact us about any questions you may have regarding first aid kits, or anything else!
Today's post is going to be about the importance of a first aid kit on each outing that you embark on.
I will start off with saying that there is no replacement for proper training. As a Wilderness First Responder and Red Cross Instructor I hope that everyone AT LEAST takes the eight hours to complete an American Red Cross First Aid & CPR course. You can find a course in your area here. I would highly recommend completing a Wilderness First Aid course or if you are an avid adventurer a Wilderness First Responder course. Both of these are fantastic courses that are offered all across the country at varying times throughout the year. When considering one of theses courses make sure that you are taking it through a reputable provider. Some of the more common names are WMA, WMI, SOLO, and WMTC.
Now back to the main topic, First Aid Kits.
It is important to bring a first aid kit on each outing for several reasons. The first reason is that you can't use it if you don't have it with you. These kits are often small enough to fit in your pocket or a small dry bag so there is no reason not to have it. Second, you never know what's going to happen. Third, it is a good practice to make your first aid kit part of your standard equipment so you get used to always having it with you. This lessens the chance that you will forget it on an extended trip too!
Once you have gained some medical knowledge you need to think about your first aid kit. Will you make one? Will you buy one? What should it have in it? How much is this going to cost?
Not to worry, this can be one of the more affordable pieces of equipment you have. If you generally do day trips in pretty popular areas you will probably be OK with putting some items in a sandwich sized Ziploc-type bag. So what do you put in there? Well that all depends on your personal needs, your training, your group, and the place that you are paddling. You will probably have some waterproof band-aids, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, moleskin, safety pins, sting eze, and some other items.
If you are going on an extended trip you will want something a little more comprehensive. This type of kit will probably have increased quantities of common items and a few more specialized items. After training and experience you will find what items you want to take with you and what you don't like to carry.
If you are interested in buying a first aid kit there are many currently available. The company that I use and have been very satisfied with is Adventure Medical Kits. They make a wide variety of kits including ones that are waterproof (I still place these in a dry bag). My personal favorite is the Ultralight/Watertight .9 because it came with a good variety of items and there was room for me to add items as well. It is important that if you do buy a first aid kit you go through it and familiarize yourself with it. You should also remove any items you don't know how to use and add any of your favorite products. Adventure Medical Kits also sells refills for your kit so that when you do use something you don't have to buy a whole new kit.
As with all of your equipment you should check your first aid kit before you go out paddling. Make sure that all the items are present and that none of the products have expired (a never ending battle).
If you do use an item out of your first aid kit you should replace it as soon as possible.
Please feel free to contact us about any questions you may have regarding first aid kits, or anything else!
Monday, January 24, 2011
Headwear
By Nick Pritchard
Taking the right headwear with you can have a huge impact on the success of your outing. Your head is constantly exposed to a variety of conditions; whether it is the burning sun, freezing cold water, or rocks. So, with all these potential hazards it is important to take along the right equipment to properly protect your noggin.
Taking the right headwear with you can have a huge impact on the success of your outing. Your head is constantly exposed to a variety of conditions; whether it is the burning sun, freezing cold water, or rocks. So, with all these potential hazards it is important to take along the right equipment to properly protect your noggin.
If you are going on a flat water paddle you may consider a sombrero type hat to protect you from the sun and the rain. The sombrero style hat is better than a baseball cap because it provides your neck and ears with sun protection, plus it keeps the sun out of your eyes better than a baseball cap.
When you start moving into swiftwater or whitewater you will need to invest in a good helmet. Your helmet should be specifically designed for water use, it should be comfortable (on a hot day I like to soak a bandanna and put that under my helmet), and it should give you adequate protection. Your helmet does not need to be expensive; there are plenty of quality helmets available at an affordable price. No one should paddle without a helmet in conditions where they are likely to hit their head on an obstacle in the event of a swim.
If you are doing an extended trip I would recommend bringing a fleece beanie for around camp. Especially during the spring and fall months it is great to have a nice warm hat to put on at camp. Bringing a fleece beanie will also be very beneficial if you or your partner's start to get cold after a nasty swim.
As always feel free to contact us with any questions you may have We are more than happy to help!
Inspect Equipment Prior To Each Trip
By Nick Pritchard
Following this weeks of topic of Paddling Best Practices today's post is about inspecting your equipment prior to each trip.
This is something that is often over looked and seen as redundant by many paddlers. I would agree that it can be redundant, but in redundancy is safety and success. Checking your equipment is also a good time to make sure that you have everything you need. We've all heard of the story where someone went on a trip only to find out that their stove/water filter/tent was missing/broken. This is such an easy thing to do and only takes a few minutes. Besides the safety factor in checking your gear you are setting yourself up for a successful trip. Sure it may rain everyday and be cold, but at least you will have everything you need.
So what are you looking for? What is there really to check on a canoe? Check EVERY piece of equipment that you will take with you. For example, when checking your boat look for any loose outfitting, do you have any loose nuts/bolts? Do you have any D rings that are coming off? Are your painters cut or damaged? The list goes on but these are just some things to get you started.
As always feel free to contact us with any questions you may have. Happy and safe paddling!
*Note - No matter how well you check your gear, things still happen and gear still breaks. Make sure to have repair parts for your equipment and the knowledge to do the repairs.
Following this weeks of topic of Paddling Best Practices today's post is about inspecting your equipment prior to each trip.
This is something that is often over looked and seen as redundant by many paddlers. I would agree that it can be redundant, but in redundancy is safety and success. Checking your equipment is also a good time to make sure that you have everything you need. We've all heard of the story where someone went on a trip only to find out that their stove/water filter/tent was missing/broken. This is such an easy thing to do and only takes a few minutes. Besides the safety factor in checking your gear you are setting yourself up for a successful trip. Sure it may rain everyday and be cold, but at least you will have everything you need.
So what are you looking for? What is there really to check on a canoe? Check EVERY piece of equipment that you will take with you. For example, when checking your boat look for any loose outfitting, do you have any loose nuts/bolts? Do you have any D rings that are coming off? Are your painters cut or damaged? The list goes on but these are just some things to get you started.
As always feel free to contact us with any questions you may have. Happy and safe paddling!
*Note - No matter how well you check your gear, things still happen and gear still breaks. Make sure to have repair parts for your equipment and the knowledge to do the repairs.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Wear A Properly Fitting Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
By Nick Pritchard
This will be our first post of many more to come talking about important things to know when going paddling such as skills, planning, emergency procedures, and much more! Please feel free to submit a topic to us that you want to learn more about. We will talk about a new topic each week.
The most important thing you will do when going paddling is wearing a properly fitting PFD. There are many other things that will lead you to a successful outing but it all starts here. It is important that you not only have your PFD but that you wear it. To increase that chances that you will wear your PFD it should be comfortable and properly fitting. There are many different styles of PFDs available today to meet each individuals needs so there is no excuse not to have one that is comfortable.
When looking for a PFD you will find that there is a huge variety available. This can be overwhelming when trying to decide what you need. If you are just getting into paddling you may want to start off with something simple in design but that still meets your needs. For example, you will not need (nor should you get) a rescue capable PFD until you have been trained to use it properly. In contrast, you may consider a PFD that has a half mesh back if you are going to be doing a lot kayaking to allow for more comfort in the boat.
Here are some things to consider when trying to pick out a PFD:
This will be our first post of many more to come talking about important things to know when going paddling such as skills, planning, emergency procedures, and much more! Please feel free to submit a topic to us that you want to learn more about. We will talk about a new topic each week.
The most important thing you will do when going paddling is wearing a properly fitting PFD. There are many other things that will lead you to a successful outing but it all starts here. It is important that you not only have your PFD but that you wear it. To increase that chances that you will wear your PFD it should be comfortable and properly fitting. There are many different styles of PFDs available today to meet each individuals needs so there is no excuse not to have one that is comfortable.
When looking for a PFD you will find that there is a huge variety available. This can be overwhelming when trying to decide what you need. If you are just getting into paddling you may want to start off with something simple in design but that still meets your needs. For example, you will not need (nor should you get) a rescue capable PFD until you have been trained to use it properly. In contrast, you may consider a PFD that has a half mesh back if you are going to be doing a lot kayaking to allow for more comfort in the boat.
Here are some things to consider when trying to pick out a PFD:
- Pounds of flotation
- Color (bright colors are easier to spot in case of emergency but may disturb others experience)
- Make sure it is USCG approved
- Number of adjustments
- Mesh back or full back
- Activity you will be involved in
- Number/location of pockets
- Number/location of lash tabs
If you have any questions about picking out a PFD that will be right for you we would be more than happy to help. Click here to contact us.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)