Body Found Off Santa Barbara May Be Kayaker's (Non Fishing)

I use a 5/4/3/ surf suit and have my top down.  It does not take much to slide your arms in and zip up.  I paddled with a full suit on, tops and bottom, for abs once.  Not worth it.  You get to the spot and your are beat, it is very hard to paddle with a upper two piece suit on.

Jerry

P.S. We could all benefit from hearing Littorals story about swimming in in a Spring Suit one more time. Don't know if he ever posted it, if he did maybe we could post the link?????

To make a long story short, years ago, I was way offshore at Cambria and the kayak I was in sank in a matter of seconds. I'm not sure how long it took me to swim ashore, I had been shivering violently long before I got to the rocks, coordination was failing and my legs weren't working. Since I couldn't stand I had to claw my way over the rocks and up the beach. I think I was close to not making it.

Surf rescue showed up as I struggled up the beach. They put me in dry clothes then stuck hot packs in my crotch and armpits. It took about 20 minutes for the shaking to stop.

Wearing a spring suit & PFD.

Lessons learned:

Spring suit is unsuitable for these waters. 
Without a PDF I wouldn't be here.
Thoroughly check your boat prior to launch.

Wow littoral, thanks for sharing. 

Having been an avid surfer through my more youthful days  and the ocean  has taught me to be very respectful and know my limits. Its a sport with no "time outs" or re-do's. I love ocean kayacking but I carry that same respect. Ive always been confortable with a good wetsuit and booties. Ive noticed when practicing getting back on my kayack from the water that with a wetsuit and PDF I am more bouyant floating in the water and dont have to tread as much water. 52 degrees ouch!!

This is the way to go

All you need is that extra layer of body fat

I've found paddling in a full wetsuit perfectly comfortable. My last trip with Ariel, BMB and Pete, we paddled out something like 2 miles into the bay-- only got a little hot in the afternoon sun, and not for long.  It was only in the 60s that day, what to do when summer rolls around is something else to think about.

On a previous outing I started to develop some rash so I got a dive-skin. Solved the rash and all the better for getting in and out of the wetsuit.

I think the "dress for immersion" warning is pretty key.

Ben

My understanding is:

• Unprotected you have approximately 1 hour till exhaustion/unconsciousness in 50 degree water.
  

• The fastest recorded human swim speed is 2.2 miles per hour*.

*Set in a short sprint by an elite athlete in perfect conditions with no PFD/kelp/swell/chop/wind.

Keep that in mind when the idea of skimping on protection for comfort starts creeping into your thoughts.

My understanding is:

• Unprotected you have approximately 1 hour till exhaustion/unconsciousness in 50 degree water.
  

• The fastest recorded human swim speed is 2.2 miles per hour*.

*Set in a short sprint by an elite athlete in perfect conditions with no PFD/kelp/swell/chop/wind.

Keep that in mind when the idea of skimping on protection for comfort starts creeping into your thoughts.

Thats a really good point.  I know lots of people who started training for a tri and figured as lap pool swimmers, the swim would be cake.  Turns out churning out laps in a pool and open water swimming are two different things.

My mechanic's boat was hit by a rogue wave a couple of miles off the SM coast and they(a bunch of old fat guys like me)had to swim in

Chilly water has a way of motivating you

Next time I see him I'll ask what they were wearing

just FYI- they Identified the body as the missing Kayaker

That's a really good point.  I know lots of people who started training for a tri and figured as lap pool swimmers, the swim would be cake.  Turns out churning out laps in a pool and open water swimming are two different things.

I should have mentioned that according to the experts, swimming accelerates temperature loss in cold water by between 30% to 50% as opposed to tucking in your extremities and floating. If you don't have a good wetsuit but can raise someone on VHS you are probably better off not swimming long distances. And keep in mind that swimming with a PFD cuts your speed significantly. A good set of swim fins might make a big difference.
..............

Bluekayak, you're worrying me dude. You seem convinced that your boat can't sink and that tying off to your yak is somehow more important than dressing for immersion. Well, whatever. Darwin will not be kind if these assumptions prove false.

I'm a strong swimmer; played water polo and surfed for years. Attitude is a definite plus but no amount of willpower is going to prevent hypothermia. For us mere mortals having the right gear may not be macho, but it's certainly the smart thing to do.

just FYI- they Identified the body as the missing Kayaker

Did anyone ever confirm if he was wearing a pfd or even had them on board?

• The fastest recorded human swim speed is 2.2 miles per hour*.

*Set in a short sprint by an elite athlete in perfect conditions with no PFD/kelp/swell/chop/wind.

I agree with your warnings, but the fastest human swim speed is much faster than 2.2 mph.  The guys in the Ironman in Hawaii swim the 2.4 mile leg in as fast as 50 minutes, and most strong swimmers can do that in under an hour. 

The important thing to know is that for most people, 2 miles in those conditions is going to be a near death experience. 
Plan ahead to survive it! 
Glad you made it through it Littoral! 

(Tom Jager, a former world record sprint swimmer, was clocked at 2.29 meters per second.)   

(Tom Jager, a former world record sprint swimmer, was clocked at 2.29 meters per second.)   

Meters per second does sound more like it. I stand corrected.

It doesn't change the point that, in our waters, failing to dress for immersion can kill you in a relatively short swim; shorter than you probably think.

And this isn't some wild theoretical belief. I've been there, or as close as I care to get.

A good overview of paddling and hypothermia.

Relevent points:

Hypothermia is probably responsible directly or indirectly for more deaths than all other factors combined. Although death by drowning may be the coroner's verdict in many kayaking and canoeing 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.

In 10 degrees C (50 F) 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

Now I'm not trying to freak people out. On the contrary, I want people to be prepared. That was a cold, sucky, lonely swim. I wouldn't recommend it to anybody.

just FYI- they Identified the body as the missing Kayaker

Did anyone ever confirm if he was wearing a pfd or even had them on board?

No wetsuit. No PFD.