djlewis

FWIW, last year, there were no greenheads in the Annisquam on July 12. --David.

Weekend mid-morning high tides are special days, since there are quite a few paddles which are much better in that part of the cycle. So why not pick a place for the demo where the tide does not matter, and do it when high is at 6:30 or something outside paddling hours. Also, will the Marblehead PTB tolerate a large commercial event on what is, technically speaking, a town landing with a launch fee (at least that's what the sign says). How about a lake? --David.

All points well taken. I imagine that few of us gearheads (and I find to my amazement that I've become one of those too, as a certain CF will attest) would either argue with you or assume that equipment substitutes for skill, experience and judgement. But it can help. If nothing else, the slippery slope starts with a paddle float, pump and tow line. And at the other end of the technical spectrum, just because something run on electrons does not inherently make it either useful or useless. It's all in how you use it, right sir? As for: "...well, what happens on the third or fourth day on your camping trip up in Maine? Is the blasted thing (VHF radio) now useless?" I wondered that too -- solar charger? Wasn't there a recent article in some paddling mag about building your own (for really hard-core gearheads with leisure time on their hands) waterproof, decktop solar charger? Alex? Andrew? Didn't you use electronics on your Maine expedition? --David.

For those interested, the best deals for the M88 are [a href=http://tinyurl.com/3d6ys]Defender[/a] -- $240 and [a href=http://store.yahoo.com/planet-gps/icm1003.html]Planet GPS[/a] -- $246 And the $50 rebate is good through the end of June. --David.

I opened this month's AMC Outdoors magazine (p. 35) to find a picture of Bob & Geri Hayes smooching and drinking champagne on top of Bondcliff in the White Mountains. I met & paddled with Geri & Bob when Bob Burnett came to town last year. I believe they were among the original NSPN crew. Anyway, this article may explain why we don't see them on the the water much these days -- they have become ardent peak baggers, and last October finished the NH 4,000-footers list. Congratulations to Bob & Geri -- even if it's not a paddling accomplishment! By the way, what's the kayaking equivalent of peak bagging? If there isn't one, maybe we should start it now, so we can prevent defections like this one. ;-))) --David.

I dropped by West Marine to look at the ICOM M88 and the West Marine house line, VHF50, 100, 200. Of the latter, only the VHF50 ($150 on sale) has the compact form factor of the Std Horizon 460-470 series, Uniden Voyager, and ICOM M-88. The VHF100 and 200 are taller and heavier (though the pictures are a tad misleading on that). Here's the 100. http://www.westmarine.com/images/thumb/35347vhf100_t.jpg http://www.westmarine.com/images/full/35347vhf100_f.jpg The VHF50 looks like a nice unit for the price. Being knobless, you change the volume and squelch level by pushing a button to select the function (squelch or volume) and then use the up and down arrows which are normally used to change the channel. I'm a tad skeptical about performing those functions that way with a radio on a pfd strap in conditions, especially if you've turned the volume down to quiet extraneous traffic, and then need to quickly turn it back up to communicate with your own group. This arrangement also makes the buttons smaller, since there are more of them. Here it is... http://www.westmarine.com/images/full/5471503.jpg Beyond that, I did not get into any other functions of the West Marine VHF50. As for the ICOM IC-M88, I did not realize that it is rather thick compared to the Std Horizons, because of its larger battery. Is that because of its nice long charge, or because it's Li-ion, or both? But it still seems fine to lash to a pfd strap. So, I still think I'm going to go with the M88. I've seen it for $250 less the $50 rebate, so it's only $50 more than the West Marine 50, and seems like a lot more radio. Of course, if Herr Doktor Professor Nystrom had already written his article, we'd know even more. OTOH, he is giving us lovely and useful previews. --David.

My radio story is a bit simpler, but particularly illustrates the value of a naked radio on the pfd, ready for quick action. I was playing in some rocks and got caught in a pool pretty much out of sight of everybody else, with a series of tall rocks blocking the view. I wasn't really in any trouble, though it took me perhaps 10-15 seconds to orient myself in close quarters and find the channel out. As I did that, I very quickly pushed the talk button on my radio which lay close to my right ear and said "David here -- I'm OK -- out in a second". When I emerged a few seconds later, there was Lisa wating for me, looking anxious, obviously glad to see me. She said she was within a hair of going in after me until she heard my radio call, and then decided to wait a bit. So, that call saved her from dashing in to save me from no actual danger, and quite possibly getting two boats tangled up in a tight spot. --David.

I think I will take a look at the West house brand radios. But I have to say that a warranty is little consolation when your radio is in the factory during July and August, and you have nothing to take on the water. Hmmm... maybe the trick really is to have two. But then you can have ~two~ in the factory at once ;-))) --David.

Yep.. I saw those house models on the West marine website and wondered. You make them sound attractive, but until I've heard from a couple of people who've abused and dunked them a lot on a pfd, I think I'll pass. I've already lost $200 on one radio now, and am not in the mood to experiment. So, I'm going with the voice of experience. Al: didn't someone here say that the IC-M88 fits on the same mount as the Std Horizons? If so, then I'm all set, since that mount is presently strapped nicely to my pfd strap. If not... --David.

>I hope this helps with your decision. Yes indeed... thanks! I think I'll go with the IC-M88. The Uniden sounds interesting. But a solid, usable, reliable radio seems more important to me with every trip I make, so it's not something I'm going to compromise on. The 460 failed in the middle of last week's training. If that had happened on a real trip, it would have been a major p.i.t.a. --David.

>If I recall, at the end of the season last year, Lisa S. >mentioned that a few times she returned the radio as it no >longer "changed channels". Turned out that she had >unknowingly locked the station, she didn't know this was an >option. FYI, locking the radio on a station is done by >holding down the lamp button on the side until the key shows >in the monitor. >Suzanne Yes, thanks. In fact, I was the one who tipped Lisa off about the unlocking the channel with the lamp button. But that only accounted for a couple of her nine! Given Brian's answer (on top of my own experience -- this is #2 for me, #3 coming up), I'm pretty much through with Standard Horizon models. I'll get my 460 fixed as a backup, but it sounds like the ICOM IC-M88 is the way to go (or maybe the Uniden). --David.

My Standard Horizon HX460S finally succumbed. I sealed the mic jack and thought I was keeping the rubber plug on the recharging jack nice and tight, but after surviving a year of submersion, it looks like water got in the charging jack during a dunking for trip leader training, and now it's dead. So, first question -- can anybody fax me a copy of the group buy receipt from last year. I can't locate my copy, and I'll need it to send it back to the factory for repair/replacement. Next, I'm probably about to become a two-radio owner, since I really don't want to be without while this one is at the factory. Besides, I fear this may become chronic with the HX460S. So, second question -- plusses and minuses between the Standard Horizon HX471S (yes, pricey at $350) and the ICOM IC-M88 ($250 after the current rebate) or any others in this class -- small submersibles with good battery life. I believe these both lack the 460's weak points for water entry, but I'd be grateful if someone verified that. Any other considerations or preferences, especially ones that would justify the extra $100 for the HX471S? Thanks. --David.

Retractors... what a great idea. The divers strike again. I can see using one for a radio too. But how did you choose that one? Judging by the click-through picture it's pretty large and heavy duty, maybe overkill for a knife. I was expecting something maybe 2" long, but this looks closer to 4". I wonder if one of the various mini-retractors might do as well. Perhaps they would go with a radio, where you don't need maximum extension. Also, I wonder if you can get retractors that use nylon cord (replaceable, of course) instead of stainless line? Unfortunately, none of the others has a picture that shows its scale. Maybe this requires a visit to my friendly local neighborhood dive shop. --David. PS: Do you have an urge to file the sharp tip off of that knife? http://www.scuba.com/images/AccessoryClips...etractor_sm.jpg http://www.scuba.com/images/AccessoryClips...ractorclip2.jpg

>If I couldn't clear a spine and a CG boat couldn't land, I'd >call for a helicopter, or an EMT that could examine his >spine. Like I said the rest of that person's walking life is >in my hands. If you think someone's spine is injured and you >can't move them in a stable manner then don't move them. My point exactly... but not for an actual spinal injury, just for the spinal injury we are now trained to ~assume~ is present until cleared. We were told to treat anyone with sufficient MOI (mode of injury, like a fall from high enough, maytag with head involvement, etc) as if they were spine injured... "clearing" them was not taught in this course. So you have to continue assuming spinal problems until you get medical personnel involved who are trained to do a spinal assessment. There were several stories of ambulatory and apparently OK victims who moved their head in such and such a way and ... bang! Given that, you'd have to call a helicopter for a victim of a sufficient fall who claims they have no spinal problem and are able to move around fine. It ain't gonna happen in practice, especially for a helicopter. Sure, when the copter arrives, the EMTs will say you did the right thing for your level of training. But convincing the victim to hold still while we call a copter, much less the rest of the party, will be nigh impossible. --David.

... or on a rocky island somewhere, in conditions where the CG can't land, and the only way off is probably in kayaks. I presume that means strapping an uncleared victim to paddles, rafting them out through surf, etc. The practical effect of this wrinkle is that the "right" thing will probably be hard to convince people to do, and won't get done in a lot of cases. 98% of the time, it'll be OK...but 2%... well. (Anybody have real figures?). But in that situation, at least I will palpate the spine gently for tenderness and pain. That much I presume we can manage without training and certification (or can we?), and not assume that it clears the spine. --David.

Scott wrote: >I, too, initially had the impression that Tony was an MD, >but within the first few hours caught the reference to 'PA' >i.e. Physician's Assistant. What he said was "I practice >medicine" which is true enough for PAs, but obviously led >many of us to the wrong conclusion. My doubt about Tony being an MD began when he answered a question with "I don't know". ;-))) (Apologies to any MDs in the audience; if this doesn't fit you, may I please have an appointment with you asap -- I need a new PCP!) Seriously, he didn't say that very much, and almost always had stunningly logical and convincing responses to questions. >I also asked about further classes for NSPN, particularly >trip leaders. He is very open to more classes, either with >CRCK or just with NSPN. There is a four day Wilderness >Advanced First Aid course which includes the spinal clearing >protocols (i.e. procedures to confirm with reasonable >certainty that there is no spinal injury). The good news is >that he can teach it over two weekends. The bad news is it >must be taught as a unit: no half day on just the spinal >clearing protocol. And he cannot just teach the 'other' two >days for those of us who went through WFA. We'd have to do >the entire 4 days again. OK, a refresher on the first two days...I'll take it, especially if Tony is teaching. Scott, does your conversation with Tony means that we ~can~ arrange for ~him~ to teach it. >Finally, a huge thanks to Liz for organizing this! I'm just >sorry that she didn't get to take it herself. Ditto! --David.

>Now i just have to figure hout where to get that extra week >of vacation to do first responder with them... > >Guy I echo the enthusiastic reviews. Tony Simpson, in particular, was supurb and incredibly knowledgeable... and punctured a number of myths (like epi pens and how to use epinephrine in general). As for taking another course with them, if you look at the web site... http://www.wildmed.com you'll see that they have a couple hundred instructors. Those are spread over the country, but quite a few are in the Northeast. So I wonder how easy it is to get your choice. Actually, what I'd really like right now is that half-day on spinal assessment, so we don't get stuck having to treat every significant fall-type injury as a potential spine case until they get to an ambulance. I perused WMA's and others' protocols for spinal clearing, and they certainly look like you do need to be trained in them. BTW, that site lists Tony as a PA. But I thought he said he was now an MD, or at least in training. Is that right? --David

I've found a method that pretty much stops sunblock from getting into my eyes and stinging them. I have both sensitive eyes and sweat quite a bit, and used to get a lot of stinging eye problems with sunblock. So that this works for me is quite a good sign. After applying, I take a final swipe with my palm across my forehead to thin out the sunblock applied there. Then the sunblock does not liquify and drizzle down into my eyes as I sweat or immerse. I don't know if you have to slaver the stuff on to get the best effect, but my guess is that a thinned out layer protects almost as well as a juicy one. I haven't gotten any burns on my forehead. Of course, if you're wearing a hat with a brim, the main problem for the forehead is sunlight reflected off the water, so you probably need less protection there anyway. BTW, I carry a quarter or half washcloth in my PFD to wipe my hands after applying sunblock. It's come in handy more than once to help someone else on the water with stinging eyes. --David.

>novice? NOVICE??? Relatively speaking, of course. >are you mad, david? Always possible, of course. And you? >1998 was just the other day, friend: Time flies when you're having fun. Are we yet? >keith attenborough was already ahead of most >sea-kayakers and was already more-than familiar with >greenland paddles Well, I assumed that since he was in a BCU 2-3 class, he hadn't yet converted. But I guess we know what "assume" parses to. >be more careful what you write... Yes sir! --David ;-)))))))))

>Just realized this was a post from '98..... Yep, we (the Web Committee) found a copy of the old NSPN trip reports, which apparently got lost in the transition to the new web site. We decided to repost them in the Trip Report Conference because, after all, they ~are~ trip reports. I'd guess that nothing similar to this conference existed back in 98, so they were originally posted in a special place on the web site. Anyway, I find it fascinating to read Keith's old reports from the days when he was not only a novice, but also, apparently, used a different sort of paddle than the one he now enjoys. ;-))) Maybe someday we'll hear or see the story of how that transition happened. Is it in past reports to come, or has Keith not yet committed it to "paper"? --David.

Liz sez: >Well, I think I'm sold. Time to get a twig and see what I >can do with it outside a pool. Hmmm... maybe me too. ;-)) Next... a paddle. For those of us lacking the time, tools and maybe even skill to carve one for ourselves, what do GPers recommend for store bought twigs? There are so darn many variables for even the basic paddle -- length, shape, loom length and thickness, shoulder shape, etc. What brands are good... or do brands carry less cachet in the GP world, where so many paddles are home-made. I must say, however, that all the paddles that folks have so generously loaned me in pool sessions and elsewhere have felt fine. But that may just be my undeveloped discrimination. Thanks. --David. PS: Also, many thanks to all the instructors and spotters.

>They keep out the water IF the straps are tight ... I have seen a Diamante with a small rectangular piece of foam secured to the top of each hatch, right under the buckle. That enables you to tighten down the strap with more force, and seems to reduce leakage quite a bit. Of course, opening and closing the strap buckles on the water then becomes more...well... challenging. ;^))) --David.

Join NSPNers in cleaning up the shoreline of Upper Mystic Lake in Medford, where we hold popular practice sessions in the summer. Meet at 9:00 AM at the MDC boat ramp, on the east side of the lake, off Mystic Valley Parkway, between between Upper and Lower Mystic Lake. We'll finish up by lunch. Coffee and dounuts served. Bring work gloves and some eye protection for working in the brush. The weather's looking decent, but not so spectacular that you absolutely have to be out paddling all day ;-))) We'll definitely paddle after lunch, however. Driving directions: From 93 take exit 32, go west on Route 60, stay on Route 60 through Medford and West Medford, until the first small rotary, go right from the rotary up Mystic Valley parkway. From Route 2, take exit 59, turn northeast onto Route 60, stay on Route 60 through Arlington, through two small rotaries at the foot of the Lake, and then left from the second rotary up Mystic Valley Parkway. In either case, go 0.7 miles up the lake and look for the Medford Boat Club sign on the left. Bring your boat and lunch, and afterwards we'll take a paddle on the Lakes and down the river. More information: djlewis aht triadic daht cahm Here are maps of the area right around the lake and major routes to get there. http://triadic.com/NSPN/MysticLakeRamp.jpg http://triadic.com/NSPN/MysticLakeRoutes.jpg

Ahem... Scott's advice is a useful angle. But bear in mind that he and Beth have ~three~ boats... and she doesn't paddle nearly as much as he does. So Scott always gets his pick of two, and frequently three boats. If your situation isn't like that -- say you both plan to paddle a lot, and often at the same time -- you might want to take that advice with the proverbial grain of NaCl. Actually, it might indeed make sense for you to get somethng different, Glenn. But why not go for composite. That way, you two can fight over it and get a head start on marriage ;-)). But the one who gets the plastic job won't feel too short-changed, since it's a darn nice boat, and arguably the best of that breed. And when only one is paddling, they get the object of boat-envy. Of course, if you do go glass or kevlar, the options are ~much~ more extensive. You can probably spend the entire spring trying to decide, and generate lots of passionate NSPN message board traffic in the process. --David.

I have absolutely no argument with the utility of sculling for support at all levels of uprightness and starting positions. I'm working on it... I'm working on it ;-)) In fact, thanks for the nice list of applications. My only question, really, is what the BCU means by that requirement in the 3* criteria. Since 3* officially does not even require a full roll (three tries, OK to have someone hold the paddle) why in the world would they require a full, wet-shoulders sculling brace? That brace is certainly in the same category of difficulty as a roll. In my experience, in fact, more people have rolls than wet-shoulders sculls, though that may be an artifact of fashion and common teaching sequences. If BCU 3* allows someone else to hold the paddle for a roll, you'd think they'd do the same for a fully horizontal scull. Anyway, several of your applications of sculling support only require a relatively upright position, not wet shoulders. So that's a very useful maneuver in itself. In fact, the applications that require wet shoulders seem to me to be alternatives or compensations to a roll in one way or another. So, if a roll isn't required for 3*, why would a wet-shoulders scull be? I'd look this up in my BCU handbook, but I can't find it. (Anybody have a used one for sale, latest edition of course?) Sorry to engage in this somewhat nit-picky exegesis of the BCU Gospel, but the full scull just doesn't make sense to me as the 3* requirement. That said, I still intend to master it myself! --David.