Winter Apparel and Saftey Equipment

[chuck naill]

This subject grew out of another post re what kind of shoes to wear. I thought I would put in my two cents for what I like to have on and with me on these Winter runs.

I found a new item from NRS called a Mystery Shirt, long sleeved ,that I am wearing under my dry top. I also have a pair of NRS Hydraskin tights along with dry pants. I have storage floatation bags that I put extra clothes in for myself or others.

I wear a Mystery helmet liner for additional warmth and a pair of NRS gloves. I also think that NRS has some great choices in paddling shoes. I am not a spokesperson or representative of NRS as my paddling buddies think.

I wear one of those throw ropes that go around your waist. I keep other saftey equipment inside includeing another throw bag and items for swift water rescue such as nylon webing and carabiners, etc for setting up z drags ( if I can remember how to use everything). Having a Space Blanket could be handy on remote trips to.

All of this adds up to more weight. When you decide on which boat to paddle in the Winter and since most boats have some weight restrictions, it makes sense to factor not just your weight, but the total of you and your equipment.

Also, if you are near a road and there is sufficent traffic, you may get by with less equipment, but I think it is wise to be
prepared.

Remember the Swift Water proceedure, first throw, then row, and lastly go in a rescue situation.

Chuck/Knoxville

[the great gonzo]

I can only agree with Chuck and have , due to personal experience, a few additional thoughts also from a more Northern (Canadian) prospective.

IMO at least up here every boater, no matter how good one is, should wear a full drysuit. Otherwise one is rather useless in a rescue situation that requires a lot of work in the water (last December I spent one day almost 1 hr in waist deep water while working on freeing a wrapped canoe. There was no way I could have done this without wearing a full drysuit).

If the trip is remote (no easy road access), a firestarter kit should be part of the gear.

Since it's easy to run out of daylight, everyone in the group should carry a head lamp or flashlight.

Just my 2 cents.

martin a.k.a. The Great Gonzo!

[bearboater]

I intent to take a swifrt water rescue course this spring for a few reasons, i feel its a good thing to have on the river, and secondly for a trip that i am taking in the summer. one can never be too prepared.
cheers
-isaac

[bearboater]

hopefully my shoulder will be good enough to paddle bfore the ice completely covers the lines.
cheers
-isaac

[Jan_dettmer]

...I wear a drysuit for all winter paddling. However, I know a lot of people who do not like them for creeking and very committing runs since they do not give the padding that a neo gives. Thats why a lot of people I creek with say they like neo. For hiking in BC-H*ll-F*ck, a drysuit only lasts you so long. I have to patch mine all the time.

Headlamp is a must in winter paddling here. Everyone normally has one.
Same is true for a pin-kit (2 pulleys, 2 oval locking biner, 2 dynema slings 1.2m, few prussiks) and a first aid kit (sam-splint, dextrose or other quick food, magic heat etc.). I carry my pin-kit in a back pocket of the PFD cause it does not help me once the boat is pinnes. This also means you have it on you while scouting, so you don't have to run back all the time if you set up safety and someone pins.
All throw ropes are spectra (I wear mine like Chuck around the waist). Everyone knows how to set up a z-drag. That is without thinking.
Break down paddle for all creeking.

For committing or exploratory boating, we often take one extra large bag (100 ft spectra 9.5mm) and a climbing harness. Some people take ascenders and also some climbing gear and bolts and drill depending on the trip. One set of walkie talkies can make all the differnece when hiking out in the dark or when the sh*t hits the fan.
For the same reasons, flagging tape can save a lot time.

I always forget it but a little hand-chain-saw can turn a nasty portage into a classic drop. One per group is handy.

Cheers, Jan