Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-21-2010, 08:27 PM   #1
JPTolson
Senior Member
 
JPTolson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Salem, Ohio
Posts: 895
Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts
TOTW/F/M Award(s): 0
Default A Long, Cold Swim

TCT,

The video in the link below is a sobering reminder of the hazards of paddling alone, in cold water, near dusk, on large rivers this time of year, and in rivers in flood or at a very, very high level. Fortunately, this guy made it, but it's easy to see how someone could fail to keep their wits about them under these conditions and not have survived. Everyone, be safe out there.

http://www.vimeo.com/10290133
JPTolson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-22-2010, 08:26 AM   #2
JPTolson
Senior Member
 
JPTolson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Salem, Ohio
Posts: 895
Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts
TOTW/F/M Award(s): 0
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by JPTolson View Post
TCT,

The video in the link below is a sobering reminder of the hazards of paddling alone, in cold water, near dusk, on large rivers this time of year, and in rivers in flood or at a very, very high level. Fortunately, this guy made it, but it's easy to see how someone could fail to keep their wits about them under these conditions and not have survived. Everyone, be safe out there.

http://www.vimeo.com/10290133
and here is the first person account of the swim and subsequent rescue from the paddler.....

http://www.monocacyboard.org/mboard/msg/9742.html
JPTolson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-22-2010, 11:08 AM   #3
clipper1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Madison, on the Grand River
Posts: 107
Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts
TOTW/F/M Award(s): 0
Default

This Guy lived to tell his story because he had the right gear for an early season paddle. Paddling solo in those conditions and that much flow was just plain dumb. I will take a long look at my protective gear, after watching that video. Remember the 120 rule: water + Air temp = 120 degrees, wet or dry suit needed below 120.
clipper1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-22-2010, 09:02 PM   #4
JPTolson
Senior Member
 
JPTolson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Salem, Ohio
Posts: 895
Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts
TOTW/F/M Award(s): 0
Default

Good reminder on conditions for when to wear a wetsuit/drysuit, Rich.

As crazy as it may seem to us to be on the water under the conditions in that video, there are a number of kayakers down in that area who paddle that stuff whenever they get the chance. The odds finally caught up with one of them and he was very lucky that someone on shore heard his whistle. His wife and some other paddling friends new he was out there, but they didn't know where.
JPTolson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-30-2010, 06:33 PM   #5
justbrad
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 33
Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts
TOTW/F/M Award(s): 0
Exclamation

I noticed that he headed for some partially submerged trees towards the end of the video. In general, that is a bad idea. With the current being that strong, he could have easily have gotten pinned against something and really been up s*** creek.
justbrad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2010, 05:44 PM   #6
JPTolson
Senior Member
 
JPTolson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Salem, Ohio
Posts: 895
Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts
TOTW/F/M Award(s): 0
Default

Yes, it's very ironic that steering toward and grabbing hold of the downed trees actually saved this guy.
JPTolson is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump