Sad News - Be careful during the colder months

I stumbled across this on another site.

http://www.wmdt.com/story/15977358/body-of-kayaker

Looks like he was wearing a PFD but unsure if he was dressed for the cold water.

This is a reminder of how dangerous it is out there this time of year. Very Sad.

Stay safe everyone.

[Memory Maker]

I stumbled across this on another site.

http://www.wmdt.com/story/15977358/body-of-kayaker

Looks like he was wearing a PFD but unsure if he was dressed for the cold water.

This is a reminder of how dangerous it is out there this time of year. Very Sad.

Stay safe everyone.

....... dress right and wear your radio and rescue alerts ...... and don't yak alone ........ wanna see you guys next year

[chex]

Man, that sucks. He probably tipped over and couldn't get back on before hypothermia set in.

I went out last Saturday, alone, in rough water when I probably shouldn't have. This guy's unfortunate death is a good warning.

[new2yaks11]

That is very sad news. I most often find myself yaking alone. I have to make it a point to get me a dry top for protection in case I get dumped in the water this time of year. We only have a few minutes to "rescue" ourselves and get dry clothing on before hypothermia and eventual death. I'm definitely guilty of this myself, but all of us should suit up in our "cold" weather gear during the warm summer months and spend a half our or so a couple of trip practicing dumping in and rescuing ourselves with full winter gear on. If we don't practice such skills, we will not react and could possibly panic and we all know what happens next.

Be safe out there everyone. The water temps are barely in mid 50's and some places lucky to be in upper 40's.

[chex]

What is optimal cold-weather gear for kayaking? Do you basically have to wear a dry-suit?

[new2yaks11]

I am new to kayak fishing myself. I have asked as many people who will listen and answer and the least is a good pair of waders with belt and some sort of "dry" or "semi-dry" top to help slow or stop water from filling waders and creating a very dangerous life threatening situation very quickly.

I am searching for an affordable "dry" top right now. I would like to be able to try one on before purchasing as I'm not sure how much I'll like the neck gaskets. I am really considering a Kokatat dry top. Just hoping they are cut "roomy" to say the least. I am going to couple the top with my breathable waders and layer my fleece under garments to try and match temps.

The one thing I know for sure from my scuba diving experience is that "cold" water and by that I mean 50's and below actually takes your breath away initially. It sends a signal to your brain that says; "get the HE-- out of here". Fortunately I suppose, having been diving in temps in mid 40's at least I know truly how cold that is. I saw a couple of other divers get mild hypothermia on different occasions and we were in 7mm farmer john neoprene suits. Cold water and falling in means to me "immediate" danger. I love fishing as much as the next guy but I'm also realistic with myself to know that fishing alone, especially this time of year could have catstrophic results.

I would actually buy a dry suit if I knew anyone with one and they could tell me their opinions. I am going to go the "dry" top route for now and hopefully not have to even see how well it works for me. I hope the top serves only to keep the spray off of me and keep the wind from penetrating my layers beneath the top.

Just be careful out there. Hypothermia kills and it does it quickly. Not trying to scare anyone, just know the feeling I've had when entering cold water and being prepared with diving gear on. It literally stuns you for a moment or two.

[surfdog]

very sad. cold water is no joke

[mmanolis2001]

What is optimal cold-weather gear for kayaking? Do you basically have to wear a dry-suit?

The best protection is a dry suit and insulating layers underneath. Even with that your time in the water is not infinite. You still have to get back into the kayak or you will die from hypothermia. Water will find its way into a Wader/drytop combo if you are in the water for more than 5 Min's. I'm not an expert with this combo but i cant imagine getting a waterproof seal between the two items. Once your wet you will be in trouble quickly.

The best package would be the dry suit and associated under layers, a good waterproof VHF radio with charged batteries and your PDF with signalling devices (signal mirror and whistle).

I have used a splash top and wader combo the last two season and if i got caught in the same situation that kayaker found himself in i would not be here today with my current gear. I will be getting a dry suit for Kipto this year.

Good test of cold water gear here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtgYP3Xrhdo

[Meadeo]

This is why i typically stop yacking after November 1st and do not start back up until late Feb or early march. Not worth ending up as a corpsickle..

Be safe people and if you do venture out please have a drysuit or at the very least a full body pair of neoprene waiters..

Meadeo

[DOGFISH]

I know after being dumped several weeks ago, the water was cold enough then. I fully intend to get a dry suit before going out in cold water ever again. Anyone using an electric motor, along with the weight of the batteries and gear, will be surprised how difficult it is to right a kayak following being turned over. Unles you are using a straight forward paddle kayak, it may be more difficult than you think. Even practicing re-entry during the summer, which is a good idea, does not take into account the cold. Anyone going out in cold water should carry a floating VHF radio. Do not carry it below deck. Carry it on your person. One of the first things to do is to call out for help, unless you are absolutely certain that you can quickly get back into your kayak. Even then I would make the call. When wet, you can succumb to hyperthermia even in a kayak.

Just because you are certain of your own skills, don't overlook mistakes by others. In my situation, of being hit by a boat, that was so very remote in my own thinking. Things do happen fast. You need to be prepared. Keep everything you will need within easy reach and/or in the pockets of a PFD, which you need to wear. Cold water is a killer.

[chex]

You were hit by a boat?!? OMG. Glad you're ok.

[DOGFISH]

You were hit by a boat?!? OMG. Glad you're ok.

It was quite a shock to me too. I came out uninjured. From what happened, I am very fortunate.

[chex]

No kidding... did they not see you? was it dark? did you have a flag or light?

[DOGFISH]

It was daylight during the October meet and greet. I had a 12" x 18" orange YakAttack flag, was wearing a hunter orange fleece hoody and have a yellow kayak. The boat did stop. It was a 25' Parker doing about 25+ mph. The guy said he did not see me. I wrote about it in the main forum under the heading of Sucessful Meet and Greet. It should still be on the page.

http://www.snaggedline.com/showthread.php?t=2064

[chex]

wow, yeah... not much more you coulda done. I think I'll get that blowhorn.. I too always wonder if the boats see me sometimes.

If I may, I'd suggest that this thread, or another 'safety' thread be made sticky. It's a good way to sober up from the inebriating effects of being a hardcore kayak fisherman.