COVID-19 LINKED TO A RISE IN PADDLING FATALITIES

 
Thanks in part to the COVID-19 pandemic, paddlers flooded rivers and lakes around the country all in an attempt to get away from it all last year.

“It’s because of (COVID-19)," American Whitewater's Accident Database manager Charlie Walbridge told the Tennessean newspaper, "People are going stir crazy. They want to do something where they won’t expose themselves.”

But in Walbridge's new semi-annual report, 2020 also was an unprecedented year for deaths that occurred while paddling rivers. There were 48 deaths last year, which is well above average. The report tracks paddler deaths on the nation's whitewater rivers said that Tennessee saw the most deaths on its rivers with eight fatalities. Arkansas had seven deaths, and Washington reported six. Fatalities among skilled paddlers declined, although those involving inexperienced boaters increased. COVID-19 might be one reason why as kayak and canoe dealers quickly sold out and people rushed to get on the water for the first time.

"This has been offset by a big increase in those involving inexperienced people. Half the accidents (14) involved recreational kayaks, most of them in fast water or mild rapids," Walbridge wrote in his report, "My guess is that while many of us were staying home, others who own flatwater kayaks and cheap rafts were getting into trouble on local creeks. There were a large number of rescues reported, most involving rescue squads attending to stranded paddlers. Since experienced paddlers manage these situations themselves, this also points to an influx of newbies on fast-moving water."

As the interest in paddle sports continues to increase, so have the water-related fatalities. TheUnited States Coast Guard data shows that across the United States in 2005, canoe and kayaks made up 10% of all water deaths. That's been on the rise steadily since, and in 2019, 20% of deaths occurred on kayaks and canoes. Paddle safety leaders cite the same reasons they have been preaching for years. Inexperience, hypothermia, and mostly not wearing a PFD as the main causes of boating deaths. In American Whitewater's report, of the people who died, most were not wearing a life jacket.

“The basic message is the newbies need to wear a life jacket," Walbridge told the Tennessean, "Stay away from extreme water conditions and not use alcohol or drugs when they’re on the water, and that will prevent somewhere between 80% and 90% of the accidents."

Walbridge encourages beginners to take training classes, learn safety skills, and mostly know their limits before heading out onto the river.

The study serves as a reminder as we begin another season of paddling. Stop and thoughtfully consider your skills when you’re faced with something new and don't just fling into paddling.

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Is It Time to Update Your PFD?

 I have had my Personal Flotation Device or PFD since I got my first kayak. It's old and dependable and fits like a glove. My front zip Extrasport Eddy with quad-hinged front foam and retracted shoulder adjustments has made almost every kayaking trip I have taken since I bought it in 2010.  It's once bright yellow and black fabric is now sweat-stained and faded in the sun by countless trips to the river and lake. Made to last, its zippers and adjustable belts show little signs of wear tear with over five years of use. It could last another 10 years before its retired and exhibited at the Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum. You don't just throw away a piece of canoe and kayak history.
Regardless of my sentiments, the PFD is hardly the vest I bought new. Experts say PFD’s are made up of a variety of materials which over time can be damaged by the environment where they are utilized.
"The foam inside the PFD loses floatation a variety of different ways from ultraviolet light damage to off-gassing just sitting on the shelf, " says the  River Store whitewater safety instructor Gigi McBee, "The floatation comes from the bubbles in the foam maintaining their shape. As the PFD is exposed to UV,  it loses some of the bubble structure and will compress."

 McBee gives 3 tips to tell if your PFD is starting to lose its floatation.

• Does color looked damaged by the sun, including looking at shoulder straps and stitching in critical areas that are pulled on in an emergency.  If there is color damage your PFD is not as strong.
•  Squeeze the foam between thumb and index finger, release, does the foam bounce back instantly, or does it gradually come back out.  If it gradually does the foam no longer is holding air in many places and has lost floatation.
• Go out and test it.  Get out in deeper water, if you feel like the vest is floating you well great, keep in mind whitewater is aerated and does not hold you up as well as nonaerated water.  Saltwater will give you more buoyancy. 
• UV damage can cause the stitching to fail, and fabric to tear,  Check the fade of the PFD.

 "Was it red once and now pink? Is the elastic stretched out, neoprene faded," said Mcbee, "If you are depending on your PFD to stay on you especially if someone has to haul on the straps to pull you up into a raft or out of a sieve you really need that stitching and cloth to hold up."
There isn't a set number of days or seasons says Mcbee for the life of a PFD.  Most folks can get away with buying a new PFD every 3-6 years depending on its use, storage, exposure to UV rays. Heat can damage the foam on the inside of the jacket and some oils will be reactive with the foam in such a way that the air pockets in the foam will soften and lose air content resorting in less floatation. 

"There are some ways you can do to extend the life," said Mcbee, "Store it somewhere cool, Use something like 303 to spray on the fabric of the PFD to protect it from the sun and don't leave your PFD in the car where it can get over 100 degrees." 

• Air dry in a cool out of the sun area when not using your PFD, keeping it free from molds, oil, and salt residue.  NEVER dry with an external heat source like heater, dryer, or in the hot sun. as this will damage the foam floatation.
•  Clean PFD with a mild soap periodically to help maintain the exterior fabric.   Do not use the PFD as a seat cushion it will damage the foam floatation.  
•   Check buckles, zips to make sure they are in working order. 

The great thing about PFD’s is that they float… well, at least they should, that is why Mcbee recommends a simple float test before that big river outing. 
"See if you are positive or negative on the buoyancy." said McBee,  "Most PFD’s used in the paddling industry are type III or type V these hold 15.5 to 22 lbs of floatation. If you are negative a little loss of flotation is a big deal.  If the vest is not for you, but for friends to use, you may want to go with a high float PFD that way even if it loses some floatation it will have more then the average jacket."

Looking at my PFD now, it might be time for an upgrade. The final decision was voiced by my wife.
 "It's ugly and stinky and I don't want it in the house."
Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum let me know when the exhibit is ready. Until then my PFD and its history will be on the display in my garage.