Tabloid MCA???

[toad_oftoadhall]

http://hmcoastguard.blogspot.com/2011/12/two-men-washed-ashore-after-abandoning.html?spref=tw

I find the emotive language of this article is irritatingly pejorative.

Were they really wearing life jackets, or were they wearing bouancy aids? *If* they were wearing life jackets did the LJ's really save their lives or did their wet suits?

Also, why mention life jackets as the single most important life saving factor. Why not mention all the kit that contributed to their safe arrival on shore so people can actually learn from it? [1]

I'd really like to hear a lot more detail and from the two blokes themselves. Did they use the word "panic" or did the MCA make that up?

[1] I've broken windsurfing gear and done two hour swims back to shore. It's really not that unusual or uncommon. A mate once did a four hour swim! (He broke his mast miles out at the very start of the day. We were packing up and he walked out of the sea. It was only when we spoke to him we realized he'd spent 5 minutes windsurfing and the rest of the time swimming back.) A life jacket would have been worse than useless when faced with those long swims.

 

[westernman]

http://hmcoastguard.blogspot.com/2011/12/two-men-washed-ashore-after-abandoning.html?spref=tw

I find the emotive language of this article is irritatingly pejorative.

Were they really wearing life jackets, or were they wearing bouancy aids? *If* they were wearing life jackets did the LJ's really save their lives or did their wet suits?

Also, why mention life jackets as the single most important life saving factor. Why not mention all the kit that contributed to their safe arrival on shore so people can actually learn from it? [1]

I'd really like to hear a lot more detail and from the two blokes themselves. Did they use the word "panic" or did the MCA make that up?

[1] I've broken windsurfing gear and done two hour swims back to shore. It's really not that unusual or uncommon. A mate once did a four hour swim! (He broke his mast miles out at the very start of the day. We were packing up and he walked out of the sea. It was only when we spoke to him we realized he'd spent 5 minutes windsurfing and the rest of the time swimming back.) A life jacket would have been worse than useless when faced with those long swims.

I agree with your sentiment about the tone of the article.

From my experience of sailing in mid winter, a full dry suit (probably not a wet suit if canoeing), or a full wet suit gives good bouyancy.

In a canoe I doubt that they would be wearing a lifejacket as it really does get in the way. A bouyancy aid may be. A full size wet/dry suit gives good enough bouyancy if you are not wearing anything else over the top of it.

 

[scottie]

I would be more interested in why anyone would start a trip at 7pm in December !