Paddling tips, tricks, news and gear reviews from an Unsponsored point of view
We’ve had an original Petzl Vertigo here at Unsponsored HQ for a few years and have really liked it’s performance. Petzl have been on the case and have updated the Vertigo using i-beam technology. Just like the original the Petzl Vertigo has been primarily designed for ease of clipping in with the added bonus of having a locking key gate. The new construction has shaved off 2 grams.
The Glide Inflatable Waistbelt PFD from Palm Equipment is designed for users such as those using a SUP who don’t want to wear a conventional PFD. We had a look at the Glide PFD late last year and were pretty impressed by its design and reusability.
Your PFD is one of the most important pieces of safety gear that a paddler owns. It’s got work right first time, every time. Time, UV and general paddler abuse can cause damage to your PFD that may or may not be visible.
This PFD related video from Palm Equipment gives a great run through on how you should carry out a PFD health check.
The guys over at Palm Equipment have just released this new video showing how to test the buoyancy of your PFD.
The is How to Make a Flip Line edit from US based NRS is a great watch.
A flip line, or guide belt, made with a length of webbing and a locking carabiner, has many different uses for kayakers, rafters and canoeist. In addition to helping flip an overturned raft, you can use it to make a rescue anchor, boat tether, rescue harness, etc. Swiftwater rescue instructor Jim Coffey shows how to build yours.
A super important rescue technique. A must for all paddlers.
NRS make some great instructional videos and the The Hand Of God Rescue edit is certainly one of them.
So we all had a break from the Dirty First Aid, bet you are glad?
Well now lets be quick, lets be simple.
Kayakers, Sup guys n’ gals, Canoeists we all have our own thoughts about breaks and dislocations – but lets get down and dirty.
It’s simple – immobilise as easy and quick as possible, lets not get caught up with which sling is best, which way to strap.
Palm had a lightning bag shipped to Unsponsored HQ as soon as the production models were available. Retail customers will be able to get hold of a bag from good kayak/canoe retailers over the next few weeks.
Since the bag arrived we have had a good look over it and have tested but the feel, throwing and repacking ease with a number of different paddlers. Since the Lightning bag has already been compared to the HF Weasel by many it also makes sense to make some further comparisons during this initial look at the Lightning.
I have had the chance to have a close look at the Lightning bag a few times but this is the first time that I have been able to have not only a look but actually use the bag.
More innovative gear from UK based Whetman Equipment. This time it’s the Ring Pull Prussik.
The Ring Pull Prussik provides a simple fast rope grab for hauling on a line in river rescue.
6mm red prussik cord
6mm stainless ring
The NSR would not be possible if it were not for the crazy boys and girls of the rescue crew who are prepared to jump into the cold water repeatedly over the course of the weekend.
I also enjoy capturing them in action.
Welcome to Dirty First Aid Series – Part 5 which will focus on Hypothermia.
Paddlers, no matter the discipline or location can all suffer from Hypothermia – a condition brought about due to the lowering of the core body temperature. Its final stage is death. Hypothermia is caused when someone cannot produce enough heat themselves to fight the effects of cold. Immersion in colder water, cold air temperature or exhaustion are the usual suspects. The former is the one that we will look at now – principally because it’s the one that we come across most often as paddlers.
Immersion hypothermia can mean that the body hasn’t depleated all its energy reserves, meaning the casualty can possibly respond quicker and recover with simple #hacks #dirtywork.
Drones are becoming a lot more popular these days. With many adventure sports participants looking for more creative ways to document their adventures, there isn’t much that can come close to the sorts of epic aerial shots that were once the preserve of large budget feature films or broadcast documentaries.
However as anyone who watches the news will know, drones are coming under ever more scrutiny by the authorities. Worse still is that many people who buy these aircraft are unaware that there are laws governing their use.
I should say at this point that I do apologise if this article comes off sounding like a stern Government information film from the 1970s! However I hope that it will give readers more insight into these aspects of drone use and its relevance to kayaking!
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