Best Idea of the Week! 

                                                                       (check out rear deck...
                                                                        yep...a portopotty)
Paddle safe...

DS

So...You know first aid.
   My friend and mentor, John Browning, is like a dust mop that picks up knowledge where ever he finds it. In addition to being a L4 instructor, he is an instructor trainer, and EMT and a Wilderness Medicine Instructor. Not bad. I have learned from him and been along side him in some gnarly situations. I have taken one of his first aid courses (yes, doctors can benefit from such training) and interacted with him in some interesting situations. That's nice. So what is my point, where am I going with this?

   We all know folks who handle their boat well and do some fancy stuff in calm conditions. Some, however, seldom practice that roll or T-rescue in level 3-4 conditions so that when the need arises they do not perform to expectations. (At last, he gets to his point): Some folks have had a high level of training in wilderness first aid, CPR and the like. The thing is (and there is no real way to "fake" this), they haven't had to fact the real thing. They haven't had to deal with the pale and injured person as they slip into shock or, even worse, the close friend who lies before them with no pulse. It is in those situations that we all learn how well we can utilize the "knowledge" we've worked so hard to acquire.

   In medicine, this is accomplished by years of working along side experienced nurses and doctors and emulating their behavior. In that "protected" setting one gets to learn and practice with the safety net of more experienced people. Hopefully, we do that in our paddling as well. We go out in more and more challenging conditions along with highly skilled people who help keep us safe. Medicine, first aid and human lives in danger present a slightly different challenge.

   The father of one of my medical residence once told me that his doctor-son said about me, "He couldn't believe how excited you never got in an emergency." It may be dramatic to watch CPR on television; it is different when it is the real thing and you are the one in the arena. When the need arises, one has to forget about themselves and how they are going to do or how they are going to appear to others. The injured person must become the focus of all attention and thinking...and that is what takes time to master.

   At a recent symposium a shout went out for help. An older woman, near shore, was in great  pain and was holding her left arm against her chest. I waded over and quickly realized that she had dislocated the shoulder. I helped her immobilize the arm as we made our way to shore and got her seated comfortably. All the while, I engaged her in conversation, felt her skin for signs of shock and otherwise kept the process moving.

   Once ashore, I turned her care over to JB and a paramedic from Chicago. Why? I was the licensed doctor on the scene, a specialist in cardiology. Shouldn't I be the one in charge? I have treated these things before, even putting dislocated shoulders back while on ski hills (the sooner you put them back in the easier they go).Well, maybe; but being in charge isn't the same as doing the operation. After all, I had two men there who were experts in field injuries. Upon seeing this woman and realizing her age, I made the judgment that it would be dangerous to try and reduce her shoulder. My medical obligation became making her comfortable and getting her safely to a hospital. The other two men on the scene were experts in doing just that. I was an expert in realizing that and doing what was best for the patient.

 All very nice, but where does that leave all of us who know some first aid and have never applied a band aid? Well, it means re-reading your books, taking refresher courses and, if at all possible, getting some field experience along side a mentor. When all else fails, never forger: First, do no harm.

Paddle safe...

DS

Mama nature and the Humanus Sedatus

(Endangered Species)

   Around here, the maple leafs are turning to beautiful colors and huge v-shaped flights of geese are gathering to head south. Up in the northern woods and not as obvious, bears are fattening up so they have enough calories stored to survive the upcoming hibernation.Soon they will go into a sleep-like state, thereby reducing their metabolic rate and energy needs. Yes, the trees and Ursa have a way of coping with winter that allows for the survival of their kind. If only humans were as wise.

((Head home to the couch?)

For all our smarts and "knowledge", many of our kind will be packing up their toys and taking them home. Many, ignoring the basic physiology the bears seem  to understand, will pack on the calories throughout the winter, eschewing hibernation and its slow metabolism for sitting on the sofa. Not only does this not equate with the slowing of metabolism that the bears will enjoy, it allows the still-awake-but-not-paddling-Humanis Sedatus to remain awake all winter while consuming all sorts of calories while burning few. Still, many will survive the Wisconsin winter while, paradoxically, slowly plugging their arteries and depositing belly fat.

Fortunately, a subspecies (Humanis Activus) has evolved and separated from the behavioral patterns of this group. Notable for their larger brains and more attractive bodies, these specimens also stay awake all winter (except for brief 5-8 hour sessions of refreshing sleep) and remain active, thus burning off much of the caloric load they consume. Unable to grow thickened fur coats, this subspecies has evolved a method of outer and inner wear to protect their warm-blooded bodies from the frigid cold.

Come spring, the Activus group not only weighs less than the Sedatus group: they prove to be (on psychological tests) happier and (according to neutral judges) better looking. It will be interesting to see which of these two groups falls under the factors outlined by Darwin.

Paddle safe...
DS

Nature doesn't suffer fools gladly...

 The Lake rested today; but it was blowing like hell a day ago, and some boat owners suffered from having poor holding gear.

 Two sloops were blown to shore which, fortunately, wasn't far away.

 Chaos looks parked, but she had her rudder post bent and her keel cracked at the hull line.

Popsy appears to have dragged an anchor. I do not know if that was added after she went aground or that was her poor substitute for a proper mooring. Her rudder was nowhere to be seen

Anyway, it was a lot calmer today.

Paddle safe...
DS

Et Tu, Valley?

  Valley has a long (and good) reputations for building fine sea kayak, most with traditional lines and fish form (widest ahead of cockpit) shapes. Heck, they brought us the Nordkapp. As you probably know, I paddle a P&H Cetus MV which has a Swede form (widest behind the cockpit) hull.
  Today, while reviewing issue 27 of Ocean Paddler, I came across a review of Valley's new Etain 17-5 (there is also a 17-7); and, lo and behold, it is a mild Swede form. Interestingly, the reviewer comments on the fine initial stability and acceleration, two qualities I have noticed in the Cetus series.
  I have to wonder if we will be seeing more of this shaped boats coming out and how folks will respond to them. What next, a Swede form skin on frame?

Paddle safe...
DS

Doug

You live in our memories

                                                              You left us too soon

Paddle safe...

DS

Contact: Ninth Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office
Coast Guard searching for missing kayaker in Lake Michigan after 2 rescued by local responders

CLEVELAND — The Coast Guard and local first responders are searching the area near the New Buffalo, Mich., beach breakwall for a missing kayaker Saturday evening after two others were rescued from heavy waves.
Missing is Mitchell Fajman, 18, hometown unknown. The identities of the rescued men are not known at this time...

...On scene weather is currently 8-10-foot seas, with waves of 14-15 feet closer to shore.

These paddlers were in proper dress (including helmets) but aparently in conditions beyond their abilities. It seems I have been seeing more of these types of articles lately. Why?

Is it just that there are more of us going out in kayaks? Are we getting too over confident? Is it just my imagination?

Paddle safe...
DS

A new Religion?
or just art?

This structure is on the break wall, not far from where we launch. It has taken on different forms; but recently I noticed the "child" at the top. Perhaps it is an omen, or, maybe not. I have seen similar structures on the beach south of here.

paddle safe...
DS

For The Children...

I realize that my recent weekend camping/paddling with the CASKA folks was really a family affair. Strong, brave men passed up the opportunity to go off into the rugged wild to be sure that the two youngest members of our "family" got the experience they deserved.

Moms, aunts, dads and friends made sure the young men with us had a good time.

That meant we had a good time.

Paddle safe...
DS

To be fair...and clear...

My last post was meant as an inquiry and not a condemnation of NRS products. Many may have had similar experiences with others' products. I am asking if that is so. Is my experience (and that of those with whom I've spoken) the same?

Paddle safe...
DS

Just Wondering...

It came up in small talk while paddling this weekend. Seems a few of us have purchased NRS gloves in the past and experienced poor workmanship. In particular, the stitching came out in different places on nearly every pair. Have others had the same experience?

Just back from a weekend at Pottawatomie State (Wisconsin) Park with some CASKA (Chicago Area Sea Kayak Assoc.), and had a fine time with them and a few of their young children. Also got in some rolling with the Greenland stick. Pics to follow.

Paddle safe...
DS

It Is Encouraging:

I am aware of more than a few students in our area who seek out a certified instructor to take them out to work on strokes and/or rough conditions. These are folks who have good basic skills and who, in many instances, have taken formal basic sea kayak instruction. Seems they want to get better at it. I take heart from knowing that amongst the oft publicized stories of "kayakers" needing to be rescued and found to be lacking in skills and equipment that there are those who want to get it right.

In my personal experience with some of these folks (there are 3 active level 4 instructors here in our area,,,one an IT) I have found them to be serious about their sport and most open to suggestions. Not surprisingly, they pick up things quickly and want to immediately get out to try them. Instructing such folks, especially those wanting to go out  on to "big" water, raises my concern about the safety of the instructor.

Personally, I like to see their hanging draw stroke as I feel it can be a life saver when going after the bow of an over turned boat. I like to see it near shore and then in progressively rougher conditions. I watch to see if a picture-perfect hanging draw with good edging becomes a so-so dip of the paddle when waves exceed 3 feet. If it does, we have something to work on before going on the other side of the wall. And, while all this is going on, I assess how relaxed (or not) they remain and whether or not they start having a death grip on the paddle. It doesn't take too long to get a feel for how safe I am going to be out there with them.

I then introduce them to the gap where some of the bad stuff rolls into our anchorage area. I sit and watch as they cross this area parallel to the waves and then re enter it and turn 360 degrees. Doesn't sound like much on paper but, in a 25 knot wind with big stuff rolling in, this exercise can take 30 minutes or more. Depending on how it goes, we may spend the entire lesson in these conditions or, if skills warrant, we head out into it. This is where my concern over my safety comes in.

These lessons can involve an instructor ending up needing a rescue from someone unable to get to their bow in what are new and more challenging conditions. Therefor, before heading out with someone unaccustomed to the big waves, I assess their rescue skills and get a feel for how calm (or not) they are likely to behave when things get hairy out there.


The  payoff is that by time we get off the water I have the joy of seeing their improvement and knowing there is another paddler with whom I can count on out there when the going gets rough. Is this not a great sport?

Paddle safe...
DS

Sometimes We Just Paddle

for the love of it

Paddle safe...
DS

Some times Mother Nature

has other plans.

More tofollow.

Paddle safe...
DS

Geez...
I have an electric bilge  pump and carry a manual one just in case I or someone else needs it. Since my Cetus MV has a 4th hatch I cannot carry it under the deck. Since I like a clean deck, I don't want it under a bungee where it can wash away. So, I throw it on the floor of my cockpit where it waits patiently.

I was doing some rolling the other day. When I landed and tried to get out of the boat I found that the pump had cleverly wedged itself under a foot peg and over my foot. I could not get my foot free until I discovered the problem, reached into the cockpit and removed the pump with some difficulty. I know you are ahead of me and wondering what could have happened if I had had to wet exit while rolling? I wonder too and plan to find another spot for my pump.

Paddle safe...
DS

Discretion v. Valor

Call it maturity. I spent a wonderful weekend in Door County with good friends. We all did our own thing and sat together for evening meals. I had time to wander the shore and to paddle on Friday and Saturday. The Friday paddle was pretty ordinary with a cruise along the Green Bay shore. On Saturday, there was a SE wind blowing about 10, so I headed up to Cave Park on the East coast of the peninsula. Because of the angle of the land and the wind building to 15 mph, 3-4 foot rollers, some breaking, were forming off the limestone formations. The made wonderful sounds as they crashed into the walls.

I had my helmet on and my camera was inches from my left hand...and I was alone. I so badly wanted to capture some images to share here....but:  I knew if I went over without another paddler to throw me a tow rope that I would be dashed onto the wall before I could get back into my boat (assuming I hadn't rolled up). So, I recorded the images in my mind, spun around atop a few waves and enjoyed a little surf-like action going back. No images here, wonderful ones in my head.

Paddle safe...
DS

Off to visit the thumb:

If you are not from around here: Look at the back of your left hand. That's the shape of Wisconsin, and your thumb is door county. Lady Linda, a few friends and I are headed to the base of the thumb (Sturgeon Bay) for the weekend; and I am taking the Cetus MV. 

There are lots of places to launch and paddle and lots to see. The weather, which is changing, is showing day time temps in the 50's...nice and cool. It will be nice to see new sites as I usually launch up near the thumb nail. Too bad we're too early for fall colors, but I will take it as it is.

Paddle safe...
DS

My Life...

...is changing...is changed. I am all too familiar with the aging process and what it brings. I've learned this from my late parents and my patients. I always hoped against hope that the process would be kind to me...and it has been. It seems like yesterday that I was in my 50'a and running sub-3.5  hour marathons and competing in Judo at the black belt level and single-handing a 42 foot sailboat. I went for long runs most days, ate what I wanted and had a waistline <33 inches. Dude, life was good. Well, it's still good, and it is sure different.

 Many of you know that it all changed when a ruptured disc severed a nerve to one head of my quadriceps muscle and took me out of the two sports I loved so much. Running became impossible while sailing and Judo became too dangerous. In a way, I lost part of my identity. So I began searching for new venues to keep my body fit and my spirits up. Quite by accident (I know, there are no accidents) I discovered Rutabaga Paddle Shop over in Madison, a guy I call JB and the world of kayaking. Suddenly, I was alive again. I was back on the water, I was quickly learning the counter intuitive movements of kayaking (which I knew from Judo) and made what I hope will be a life long friend.

  JB

Of course, I continued with my photography, but that too changed. Trained in large format fine art black and white work, I closed my darkroom and took up water proof digital photography...and then I blogged. I wrote about whatever came to mind, read what others had to say and, over the years, made friends around the world, some of whom I've not yet met in person. Then, this past winter, I realized there was another change going on.

It was a bad winter. The ice shelves on shore kept us off the water, and I paddled less than ever before. I went to the gym, but that didn't do it all for me and, gradually, that 33" waist was looking for 34" pants. More recently, those pants have been feeling snug. I went from 162 pounds (in med school) to 168 pounds as an adult to my present (and very embarrysing) weight of 180. I realized I was writing less, paddling a lot but taking fewer pictures (and, rarely, good ones). Today, I decided that something has to change as I am feeling the side effects of my situation.

I might not be able to run, but I can walk; and, with my alpine walking sticks, I can walk fast enough to get my heart rate up. I started doing situps again and will be adjusting my diet over the next few days. Hopefully, my sleep will improve (I have a few sleep disorders) and the weight will gradually come down. Why do I write this down here? Why me, who is actually a pretty private guy.

I know if I decide to do something that I might do it. I know that if I tell a friend or two that I am more likely to do it. So, when I  publish this, I will imagine I just told the whole world and that I better do it. So, here's hoping that you will be seeing less of me; hopefully, more often.

Paddle safe...
DS

A few more from Monday

Paddle safe...
DS

Lessons of the Blind Chicken

I was once told that even a blind chicken will get a kernel if it just keeps pecking.

 I apply this to trying to capture images on the water. I am in a moving boat without a tripod using a camera with little to no telephoto ability. Everything is moving and appears small. So, I just keep clicking and sort things out later.

 On Monday the wind was gusting to 40 MPH and there were righteous waves coming through the gap. A small group of us went out there to play and I, as the blind chicken, clicked away. With some cropping and contrast adjustments, I was able to salvage a few usable images. They still don't show the dynamics of the situation, but you all know what it can be like out there.

I will try to get a few more usable ones up this week (both schools now in session).

Paddle safe...

DS