OKC Kayak Word Soup

Happy Thanksgiving Paddlers!

I know that you are already inundated with the plethora of sale circulars from all the other retailers in town, so I am going to impart holiday gift ideas via a little more unorthodox method. Keep reading to find out what I am getting my coworkers and helper elves this holiday season. If you see anything that your friends and loved ones cannot live without, come visit us at the kayak shop this holiday season Tuesday through Saturdays from 10-6 or after hours by appointment.

“Oh Casey Kayak” Casey Wieckszoreqk (Yeah, don’t hold me accountable for the spelling, her last name has so many vowels and consonants, it looks like someone barfed alphabet soup.) — I am giving this gal some fleece kayaking pants and tops, a wetsuit, drysuit, drytop, booties, and gloves. No more excuses about being cold Casey, you must start shaving your legs.

“The Taskmaster” Linda Manaugh - Linda asked Santa for a new lime green Necky Eliza or a fire colored Cayuga 146 with a rudder, but we are pretty sure she is due for some Kingsford (charcoal) instead. With any luck, perhaps in the spirit of Christmas, Dave will extend her internship instead.

“The German” (Need I say more???) Doris Stone - No questions about it, I bought Doris a FOX40 pealess whistle. I got her this not because it is the loudest whistle a kayaker can buy and still use when it is wet, but because we are hoping that if the whistle is in her mouth, the other folks at the social paddles will be able to get a word in edge wise.

“Mr. Tony” Tony Ward — Tony is about as passive and gentle of a guy as you can be, and this is just sickening. We are fixing Tony up with a new NRS Pilot River Knife, two folding NRS Wingman knives, and a set of Rambo videos. No more Mr. Nice guy next year.

“Quickbooks and Workshop” Amber and Jason Tyler (Jason can fix anything and Amber is trying to teach a bunch of river rats how to use accounting software. I am fairly certain that Casey will be going to prison next year for screwing up our taxes) - Despite Amber only being in a kayak a handful of times, her skills are about to surpass those of her husband Jason, one of our lead guides. Now, typically my comment for those couples who are over romanticizing on what tandem kayaking is all about is, “If couples were supposed to kayak in tandem boats, beds would be three feet wide and sixteen feet long!” (No, I am not going to explain this.) ….but, in Jason and Amber’s case, a double kayak is the perfect answer to keeping Amber from leaving him far behind. (Not to mention, I need to move about 50 tandem kayaks before Jan 1st. Come now for some great deals!)

“Mr. PCSOS” Tom Stone - Husband to Doris Stone, we are naturally going to assume that this is a man who needs more than the occasional drink to cope. What better person to give our greatest find from the last paddlesports trade show we attended, the canpanion kayak cupholder? (see at www.can-coctions.com) This nifty invention only costs $2.99 and keeps drinks from spilling in your lap. Tom says, “Now if only Doris would stay out of my lap!”

“Carla the wonderdog” Carla Brinker - While not the official shop dog, Carla the wonderdog has logged more miles on OKC Kayak trips than any other pooch. Carla loves to scout rivers from the bow of the kayak so we are fitting her with a red Extrasport doggie lifejacket. Carla’s master, Dave Brinker is looking for one his size so the next time wife Barb makes him lap water out of the Bil-Jac dish for having too many kayaks in the yard he is well prepared.

“Chainsaw” Dr. Earl Miller - Now, a dentist does not end up with a name like “chainsaw” for no reason. We are surprising this senior citizen veteran of whitewater with some new kayaking books and DVD’s. I am thinking something a little more mellow like “Recreational Kayaking.” Sorry Earl, we still do not carry the Burt Reynolds film “Deliverance” at the kayak shop!

“Hammer Toes” Jay Brannon - A thirty dollar paddle float would have come in handy for Jay when he was trying to get back into his kayak after his violent attempt at knocking some Spanish moss out of the tree with his kayak paddle. Next time he will be properly equipped with this essential safety equipment.

“The Sternminator” Dr. Dave Brinker — Don’t let this guy fool you. (When we call him a “Stern man,” this has nothing to do with the rear of the boat. The Stern we are speaking of got kicked off of public radio.) Our gift to him is a gift certificate to attend our Intro to Whitewater trip on the Lower Mountain Fork River and a set of waterproof Pelican cases so that he can keep from ruining yet another camera next year.

“51562″ Chris and Nancy Kaufman - These worshipers of the sun cannot decide which zipcode they want to stay in, so they constantly drive to and from Panama City, Florida. Their new Honda Pilot will transport their boats back and forth nicely with a set of Yakima or Thule rack parts and some kayak cradles, or better yet a kayak trailer. This was the least we could do since they are always gracious hosts when we visit and won’t even let us take them to dinner.

“Cookie” Mike Veasey - We either have to come up with a kayak big enough to hold all of Mike’s dutch oven supplies or else we are giving him “Kayak Cookery” by Linda Daniels. Or, perhaps a good compromise would be to outfit him with one of the new canoes that we now rent or sell.

“Peanut Jones” Mary Murtha Jones - At 102 years old, Peanut is still our best advertisement to demonstrate the fact that kayaking is for people of any age, shape, size, or ability. We took a new OKC Kayak shirt off the sales rack (on sale for just $6.99) so she could once again serve for our shameless self-promotion in ‘09.

“The webmasters” Kevin and Jodi Wagner - Don’t come looking for these in the kayak shop, but we are sending Kevin and Jodi plane tickets again this year so that they can finally see the kayak shop whose success is due to the great website they made and maintain (from San Diego) for us. (Who are we kidding, we are bringing them to town so we can put them to work again.)

“Raining Mud” Diane Grosche - This girl bruises like an overripe peach, leading us to believe that the perfect gift is a carbon fiber helmet and a lifetime supply of Band-aids.

We hope you enjoyed our unorthodox Thanksgiving sales circular. Some other neat items you may wish to check out include our many closeout boat specials for model year 2008 and before. We also have package deals for kayaks and paddles starting at $250. We literally have hundreds of boats in stock every day.

It is our true belief that no holiday season would be complete without quality time enjoying friends and family. On this note, I always say “Let the Kayak be the vessel that connects you to the water, provides for fellowship and friends, allow you to reconnect with family, and replenishes your soul.)

My wish for you in challenging times, uncertain times, or even the best of times: Reconnect this coming year. I am truly so thankful for you!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dave Lindo

The irony of all ironies just happened to me.  It is Thanksgiving morning and I just awoke from a night on the floor of the retail area at the kayak shop.  (It is cheaper to heat this than my own house).  I had spent the last week being particularly reflective on how darn thankful and appreciative I am for not only my life in general, but the people who make it so. 

The irony was, at 7:45 a.m. when the phone rang with its first phone call of the day, it was a coworker calling to thank me and tell me that I was appreciated.  Now, I won’t speak of the big crocodile tears that NEVER appeared in the corner of my eyes, but I was truly moved.  Thanking me, are you kidding?  If only you knew what Linda, Tony, Casey, and all my dedicated friends do for me.  It would degrading to call them my “employees.”  This group is dedicated to no end at making the kayak shop succeed.  Their committment to my personal welfare is beyond belief.  They understand and are believers in the bigger picture of what we are trying to do here.  This place is not about profit and loss statements, it is about relationships.  I challenge anyone to find better relationships than the one’s we have here. 

The tumultous economy is enough to keep any small business owner awake at night.  I receive regular offers from my staff to furlough their hours (maybe they don’t like working here as much as I think they do?)  Surprisingly, one of these amazing human beings tells me regularly that if conditions warrant they will take no pay, yet keep coming in to work every day and every week just like normal.  All of them work for no benefits and barely over minimum wage in a job that includes copious amounts of responsibility, lots of pressure, and grueling quantities of hard, manual labor.  (Not to mention a boss that is tough to work for!)

They may rarely receive recognition for it, but I certainly realize that they take a personal and real interest in the company and in me, well beyond what their shift calls for.  Casey and Linda regularly work from home on their own time (even though I tell them not to.)  Tony regularly comes in on his day off to lend a hand or cart the trash home for the Wednesday garbage collection.  Casey brings me coffee in the morning and even leaves it on my doorstep on the days she is not working.  Tony looks after my house when I am out of town.  (Casey actually cleaned my house when I had company coming from out of town).  Linda brought me a plate of brownies yesterday.  All of them are tirelessly promoting OKC Kayak and befriending me around the clock. 

This has been a challenging year of great growth.  I too had to grow.  It is very difficult for me to ask for help, and we had to do a lot of that this year to get the job done.  My best friend Jason has had to give, give, and give to the point that I often feel like I am taking advantage of him.  Being in the role of best friend, I am consoled by the fact that I think he does understand.  Other friendships have been one-sided and a bit neglected the past year as well.  I call Michaeal Veasey usually needing a trailer of boats shuttled around.  I call Kevin and Jodi when the website needs tweaked, or Tom when we have a computer issue.  I lie to Doris telling her that her eyes are pretty just to get her to notarize yet another boat title.  I cheat Amber out of the $300 an hour normal billing fee she receives for her accounting expertise.  The tables will turn once again, I promise. 

My beloved coworkers, you are my incredible friends.  …and my friends, so much more than friends.  You are the most amazing team of leaders with incredible personal values.  Each and every one of you are my life.  You make my life!

I love each and every one of you with all my heart!

CROCODILE TEARS

CROCODILE TEARS

Greetings Paddlers,
There will be a special social paddle as a part of the Holiday River Parade on the Oklahoma River.  This will take place on Friday evening, Nov. 28 (day after Thanksgiving).  Basically, we will be decorating some reindeer (kayaks) with Christmas lights and harnessing them to Santa’s sleigh (a big canoe or kayak).  Get ready to wear some reindeer antlers.  We then will watch a fireworks display from the river.  If you want to participate, you MUST contact Dave Lindo by no later than Wednesday, as some advanced preparation and details will have to be discussed.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Dave Lindo
405.830.9689
dave@okckayak.com

Some info on cold water paddling follows.  While our waters here are still relatively mild, they can get downright chilly by January and February.  As a general rule, I mitigate the risk by paddling close to shore and with a buddy or two.  Furthermore, I always dress for immersion when the water temp plus the air temp added together equals less than 120 degrees, or the water temp alone is less than 65 degrees.

Now, what does dress for immersion translate into?  This means we dress in manner which will allow for the maintenance of our core body temperatures for a significant duration in the event that we would end up in the water.  Bottom line here is even if you have never tipped your kayak, you should always plan like you are going to end up in the water.

A 5 mm wetsuit serves to trap water between your skin and the neoprene.  These do not keep water out, but rather allow for the trapped water to be heated by your skin.  Never stay in a damp wetsuit once you are on land, because the evaporative cooling effect will sap heat from your body.  Change into your dry clothes instead.

In really chilly temps or waters, a drysuit is more appropriate.  I like to refer to these as ziplock bags for humans.  The gaskets at the wrists and neck keep water out all together, while the Gore-Tex fabric allows body moisture to be release.  Since you are essential just surrounded by this waterproof sack, you will still need to wear an insulation layer underneath the drysuit.   Growing up, we regularly stuffed the pink Owens Corning fiberglass insulation from the hardware store into the drawers of our little brother as retribution for him faking like we injured him so that we would have to do his chores.  …BUT, the insulation I am speaking of is something along the lines of the fleece lined Wavelite fabrics like we offer in the kayak shop.

Hyrdosilk is a thinner version of synthetics which can be used as a base layer or by itself on warmer days.  Hydroskin is an actual 5 mm neoprene top that can be used in conjunction with a Farmer John wetsuit when you want thermal protection on the arms (farmer John’s and Farmer Janes’s are sleeveless and the most versatile type of wetsuit since they can be worn by themselves on warmer days or with a neoprene Hydroskin top on cooler ones. 

More mixing and matching of these garments can be done by using wavelite pants or surfskin pants with a pair of paddler’s pants.  Or wear any of the tops in conjunction with a drytop or splash top.

Confused yet?  We understand.  Drop into the kayak shop at 220 N. Western in Oklahoma City and we can get you fixed up with a variety of cold weather paddling options including kayaking gloves, pogies (mittens that attach to the paddle shaft), footwear, neoprene socks, balaclava’s (think of the headgear seen on the guy holding up the seven eleven), and more.

A hypo bag should another essential part of your cold water safety plan. Take a drysack and fill it with a set of warm dry clothes like fleece, a stocking cap, wool socks, a way to start a fire and some sort of quick food energy.  This bag should be kept within easy reach.  I like to keep mine right behind my seat.  Once you are out of the water, changing into dry clothes should again be your first priority to reduce further heat loss.

Not convinced that you need to invest in the proper clothing for cold weather paddling yet???  Keep reading!

Subject: [DFWpaddlers] United States Search and Rescue Task Force Cold Water Survival

United States

Search and Rescue Task Force

Cold Water Survival

———— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— -
———-

Cold Water

What is it? It is difficult even for an expert to define. It is
estimated to be around and under the temperature of 70 degrees.
However, this will vary in each case due to the specific
circumstances and physical condition of the person involved.

What Happens In Cold Water?

Many of the fatal boating accidents occur in the “out-of-season”
months when the water is cold. What happens to the body when
suddenly plunged into cold water?

The first hazards to contend with are panic and shock. The initial
shock can place severe strain on the body, producing instant cardiac
arrest, as happened to a 15 year old scout in the month of March in
Pennsylvania several years ago.

Survivors of cold water accidents have reported the breath driven
from them on first impact with the water. Should your face be in
the water during that first involuntary gasp for breath, it may well
be water rather than air. Total disorientation may occur after cold
water immersion. Persons have reported “thrashing helplessly in the
water” for thirty seconds or more until they were able to get their
bearings.

Immersion in cold water can quickly numb the extremities to the point
of uselessness. Cold hands cannot fasten the straps of a lifejacket,
grasp a thrown rescue line, or hold onto an over-turned boat.
Within minutes, severe pain clouds rational thought. And, finally,
hypothermia (exposure) sets in, and without rescue and proper first
aid treatment, unconsciousness and death. We all recall the incident
in which the airliner went down in the dead of winter in the water in
Washington, D.C. several years ago. The vivid video of the rescue
attempts and those that died due to hypothermia is not easily
forgotten.

Normal body temperature of course, is 98.6. Shivering and the
sensation of cold can begin when the body temperature lowers to
approximately 96.5. Amnesia can begin to set in at approximately 94,
unconsciousness at 86 and death at approximately 79 degrees.

What To Do In The Water

Cold water robs the body’s heat 32 times faster than cold air. If
you should fall into the water, all efforts should be given to
getting out of the water by the fastest means possible.

Persons boating in the cold water months should be thoroughly skilled
in rescue and self-rescue techniques. Most accidents involve small
boats which with practice, can be righted and re-entered. Most
boats, even filled with water, will support the weight of its
occupants. If the boat has capsized and cannot be made right, climb
on top of it.

Physical exercise such as swimming causes the body to lose heat at a
much faster rate than remaining still in the water. Blood is pumped
to the extremities and quickly cooled. Few people can swim a mile in
fifty degree water. Should you find yourself in cold water and are
not able to get out, you will be faced with a critical choice - to
adopt a defensive posture in the water to conserve heat and wait for
rescue, or attempt to swim to safety.

Should you find yourself in the water, avoid panic. Air trapped in
clothing can provide buoyancy as long as you remain still in the
water. Swimming or treading water will greatly increase heat loss
and can shorten survival time by more than 50%.

The major body heat loss areas are the head, neck, armpits, chest and
groin. If you are not alone, huddle together or in a group facing
each other to maintain body heat.

Preparation

Proper preparation is essential when boating on cold water. Make
sure your boat and equipment are in first class condition. Check the
weather forecast before leaving for your event. Always tell someone
where you are going and when you expect to return. Dress in several
layers of light clothing. Next to a diver’s wet suit, wool clothing
offers the best protection. Always wear a personal flotation device
(PFD) when boating.

First Aid Considerations For Cold Water Victims

Treatment for hypothermia depends on the condition of the person.
Mild hypothermia victims who show only symptoms of shivering and are
capable of rational conversation may only require removal of wet
clothes and replacement with dry clothes or blankets.

In more severe cases where the victim is semi-conscious, immediate
steps must be taken to begin the rewarming process.

Get the person out of the water and into a warm environment. Remove
the clothing only if it can be done with a minimum of movement of the
victim’s body. Do not massage the extremities.

Lay the semi-conscious person face up, with the head slightly
lowered, unless vomiting occurs. The head down position allows more
blood to flow to the brain.

If advanced rescue equipment is available it can be administered by
those trained in its use. Warm humidified oxygen should be
administered by face mask.

Immediately attempt to rewarm the victims body core. If available,
place the person in a bath of hot water at a temperature of 105 to
110 degrees. It is important that the victim’s arms and legs be kept
out of the water to prevent “after-drop” . After-drop occurs when the
cold blood from the limbs is forced back into the body resulting in
further lowering of the core temperature. After-drop can be fatal.

If a tub is not available, apply hot, wet towels or blankets to the
victim’s head, neck, chest, groin, and abdomen. Do not warm the
arms or legs.

If nothing else is available, a rescuer may use their own body heat
to warm a hypothermia victim.

Never give alcohol to a hypothermia victim.

Some Important Facts To Remember

Most persons recovered in cold water “near” drowning cases show the
typical symptoms of death:

Cyanotic (blue) skin coloration

No detectable breathing

No apparent pulse or heartbeat

Pupils fully dilated (opened)

These symptoms, it was discovered, did not always mean the victim was
dead. They were, on the other hand, the body’s way of increasing its
chances of survival through what scientists call the mammalian diving
reflex. This reflex is most evident in marine mammals such as
whales, seals or porpoises. In the diving reflex, blood is diverted
away from the arms and legs to circulate (at the rate of only 6-8
beats per minute, in some cases) between the heart, brain and lungs.
Marine mammals have developed this ability to the point where they
can remain under water for extended periods of time (over 30 minutes
in some species) without brain or body damage.

Humans experience the diving reflex, but it is not as pronounced as
in other mammals. The factors which enhance the diving reflex in
humans are:

Water temperature - less than 70 degrees or colder, the more profound
the response and perhaps the more protective to the brain

Age - the younger the victim, the more active the reflex

Facial immersion - the pathways necessary for stimulating this series
of responses seem to emanate from facial cold water stimulation.

The diving reflex is a protective mechanism for humans in cold water
immersions, but it may confuse the rescuer into thinking the victim
is dead. Resuscitative efforts for these victims should be started
immediately utilizing CPR in accordance with your training.

Remember, numerous children have been brought up from freezing water
after 30 minutes and been successfully resuscitated.

Expected Survival Time in Cold Water
Water Temperature
Exhaustion or Unconsciousness in
Expected Survival Time

70-80° F (21-27° C)
3-12 hours
3 hours - indefinitely

60-70° F (16-21° C)
2-7 hours
2-40 hours

50-60° F (10-16° C)
1-2 hours
1-6 hours

40-50° F (4-10° C)
30-60 minutes
1-3 hours

32.5-40° F (0-4° C)
15-30 minutes
30-90 minutes

<32° F (<0° C)
Under 15 minutes
Under 15-45 minutes