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.

Hi John, I think one of the biggest problems with the standard farmer john and paddling jacket outfit is that the farmer john and jacket do NOTHING to prevent the flushing of cold water around ones upper torso and shoulders, which are fairly significant areas for heat loss. That person with the farmer john could have been wearing a neoprene vest, and fuzzy rubber hood pulled back off their head while paddling and they would have probably had a pretty good chance at keeping those calories in. As far as eating while in the water as a means to make calories available I'd say it's too late at that point. Besides the rate of heat loss (gasp reflex, hyperventilating,etc.) can be debilitating long before decrease of core temperature. Scary stuff to read about, I think if you have hung around in the water that you are paddling in then you'll have a real understanding of the clothing required.