I am still reading SEA KAYAKER-DEEP TROUBLE, and most kayak deaths seems to be indirectly caused by hypothermia from cold water, leading to drowning or heart attact. So oviously the more time you have for self rescue or outside rescue before hypothermia sets in can be a life saver. What got my attention, was the story about two almost identical kayaking accidents that happened within a week of each other in 1991 at Kalaloch Beach on Washington's pacific coast. The two kayakers were spilled into the water that was in the low 50 degrees, and were in the water about the same amount of time. One was wearing a 1/8" farmer john wet suit while the other one was wearing a 1/4" diving wet suit, booties and diving hood. The wearer of the thinner wet suit was near hypothermia when reaching the beach while the other thicker wet suit kept this kayaker so warm that he had to take it off after reaching the beach. I think the diving hood was really important since we are told that most heat loss is from the head. I would also think that kayakers should carry a chocolate bar with them to eat while in the water for quick energy and the heat it would create.
This is a good book.

John