Swimming, or how to avoid it.

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gadgetgeek

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May 19, 2007
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Thought I'd share this with the brain trust and see what other's thoughts might be.

For one of the last segments of my outdoor recreation certificate, I have one more hike to do. Its a simple one nighter, should be easy peasy. We convinced the instructor that we are all up to speed on Trangia protocols, so I get to roll out the little stove and pot for this one (I figure about a 1kg weight saving there) I also will be testing out my new hammock straps, and I should be able to handle some pretty nasty big trees if it comes to it.

The swimming part? On the way back we will follow the creek down the mountain, it should be a lovely little hop, but there is a pond at the bottom that may obstruct travel. the rest of my classmates are happy to float packs and swim. I on the other hand take to water like a fish takes to air, there is a lot of thrashing, and then some near-death.

Without spending money (I did find an awesome little pack-raft for a couple hundred bucks, but with jobs just starting up, new gear is a low priority) I can either pack along a vest (I have a canoe and standard boating vests), rely on my pack ( I figure if i puff up the liner really good, I can probably get a surplus of 20kg or so of buoyancy (I think I'm probably about -10 just me myself) I can take my 3/4 trail thermarest and use that as a floaty (wouldn't take it normally). Or pick up some sort of cheap inflatable thingy (although I think I'd be hard pressed to find something lighter than my vest) final option is to figure out a way to make a raft on site from stuff like dry bags and hiking poles.

Thoughts? Ideas?
 
gadgetgeek said:
Thought I'd share this with the brain trust and see what other's thoughts might be.

For one of the last segments of my outdoor recreation certificate, I have one more hike to do. Its a simple one nighter, should be easy peasy. We convinced the instructor that we are all up to speed on Trangia protocols, so I get to roll out the little stove and pot for this one (I figure about a 1kg weight saving there) I also will be testing out my new hammock straps, and I should be able to handle some pretty nasty big trees if it comes to it.

The swimming part? On the way back we will follow the creek down the mountain, it should be a lovely little hop, but there is a pond at the bottom that may obstruct travel. the rest of my classmates are happy to float packs and swim. I on the other hand take to water like a fish takes to air, there is a lot of thrashing, and then some near-death.

Without spending money (I did find an awesome little pack-raft for a couple hundred bucks, but with jobs just starting up, new gear is a low priority) I can either pack along a vest (I have a canoe and standard boating vests), rely on my pack ( I figure if i puff up the liner really good, I can probably get a surplus of 20kg or so of buoyancy (I think I'm probably about -10 just me myself) I can take my 3/4 trail thermarest and use that as a floaty (wouldn't take it normally). Or pick up some sort of cheap inflatable thingy (although I think I'd be hard pressed to find something lighter than my vest) final option is to figure out a way to make a raft on site from stuff like dry bags and hiking poles.

Thoughts? Ideas?
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Take off your pants, tie knots in the legs, and turn them into a life preserver.

You’ll still drown.

But at least you’ll entertain the troops on your way out. :D
 
Without spending money, I figure your best bet is to learn to swim/get more comfortable in water beforehand. That way you wont have to rely on any apparatus later on when you are out in the wild.

You could get one of those "kickboards" they use to train people to swim (think a smaller bogey board) and pack that as well. Could double as a somewhat hard cushion as well.
 
Interesting dilemma. From the sound of it, it seems that the swim with the pack is an unavoidable feature of the course. And you are not a strong swimmer. Take the PFD in addition to prepping your pack to be waterproof and float. If you drown you will no doubt fail the course.

Military surplus drybags are available here, big enough to fit most packs with added air space besides. And for not much coin. Perhaps you can find something like that there. Or look at the canoe dry bags available in your market. I use the Seal Line Baja bags and my full 65L backpack fits inside and floats. These cost me about $30-40 U.S. You can push it in front of you or tow it, whichever is easiest for you.
 
Raymond1000 said:
Take off your pants, tie knots in the legs, and turn them into a life preserver.

You’ll still drown.

But at least you’ll entertain the troops on your way out. :D
Click to expand...

That's what my instructors in the army used to say: "There's no way to lose: either you'll manage or you'll turn into a very good anecdote"
 
If you can't swim don't put yourself in a position where you will have to. Don't let yourself be peer-pressured into doing something stupid. Let me be clear, trying to cross a pond with a bunch of gear in addition to your swimming-impaired self counts as stupid.

If you have time to prepare you could take some swimming lessons. It's never too late to learn new skills. If you don't there isn't a good choice here. Go speak to the instructor in private and let him know you can't swim.
 
Big ole inner tube and a pump. I use a Leyzene micro floor drive so I can't recommend a gas pump, but I'm thinking gas would be the way to go for speed and a single obstacle.
 
When I was in the military we would make a float out of our poncho by:

laying the poncho open, flat on the ground

tying two sticks together in a X-shape and placing it in the middle of the poncho (sticks were about 3 feet long)

fill the poncho with a lot of leaves and our lightweight gear (rifle, clothes, boots, small pack)

fold the four corners of the poncho in, toward the center of the X, and tie the corners together to keep the water out

enter the water, hang onto the poncho for support to keep your head above the water

kick your feet like hell for propulsion to the other side of the river, lake, pond, etc.
 
How big is the pond?

Is there no way around the pond? Streams, creeks, and rivers are difficult to "go around".

Learn to swim, and practice.

Buy some pool noodles and practice to determine how much buoyancy you need from them. They are cheap & light and do not require inflation.
 
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Swimming is one of the most important outdooor/survival skills.
Our planet is covered in water everyone should know how to swim and do it confidently.
 
I would take gear with dual purpose. Bladder for water in the pack. Empty water, fill with air put back in pack to help pack float. Water proof stuff sack for gear or food. Same thing, fill with air and put back in pack. A large, heavy mil, trash bag to put pack in. Some lightweight, quick dry pants do make a great life vest when tied off tightly. They typically leak air, but very slowly. I'd also practice swimming if not a strong swimmer. And do a test with whatever method you choose prior to the test.
 
billym said:
Swimming is one of the most important outdooor/survival skills.
Our planet is covered in water everyone should know how to swim and do it confidently.
Click to expand...


:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Never too later to learn a very important skill on a world where the surface is covered in large part by water.
 
Might have been said but. Go to a pool shop or wal-mart and get a couple cheap pool toys and blow them up. and float across. Don't let your pride sink you(pun intended) Just laugh it off with your mates and carry on. Or go around if possible. But id put it on your priority list to lean how to swim its an asset in the outdoors :)
 
The instructor is pretty cool about it. The last part drops through a gorge, so no go-arounds, unless we all do it. So the PFD is probably the go, but I am tempted to get a floaty ring for the laughs, only thing, I have to carry it. The other part of things is that the instructor is pretty wired up, so if its at all dangerous, we won't be going. Depending on how long this tropical storm sits off the coast and how much rain the area gets, we may be well away from the river. As well, since this is partly an assessment on our guiding skills, he will be looking to see how my classmates treat me, I've helped enough of them at height, they should put up with me in the water. And as part of guiding, we need to know our own skill levels, so I'm sure I'm better off telling him I'm not 100% than trying to fake it.

I've got plenty of dry-bags, but the only one big enough for everything is just a liner, so its pretty thin sil-nylon and I don't think it will seal enough on its own. I don't think I'd want to add the weight of a 70L baja.
 
SealLine Baja 55L Dry Bag weighs 1 lb. 12 ounces so yes, there is that to consider. Added to the weight of the PFD which is likely to be about the same. I would think it would be chancy trusting all of your gear to a trash bag or silnylon liner. But as this is the end of the trip maybe wet/damp gear won't be an issue. Though sunken gear might.

Do let us know what you work out. It is an interesting dilemma.
 
Would a some rope help? You could set up hand lines.

If there are strong swimmers in the group they could go on ahead and tie off a rope. Then you just need to drag yourself across the water.

Simple visual:
size0.jpg


More involved/better method:
http://www.wilderness-survival.net/mountain-stream-crossing/crossing-methods/
 
Also if your a team im thinking it would be leave no man behind!!! Simply state your not a good swimmer and may need assistance if water crossing is needed. Have a stronger swimmer ferry your gear across and the strongest swimmer ferry you across. It is very simple as lang as no one panics strong swimmer is on there back you lay your back against there chest as they hook an arm through your elbows and behind your back(your arms are at your side). They simply paddle and tread water across as you help by kicking a little.

No shame in asking for help!! also a good team building exercise.
 
Bring a Tarp and build a boat.:thumbup:

[video=youtube;sujYuLMjnH0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sujYuLMjnH0[/video]
 
One day I was underground in an Australian coal mine while accompanied by an experienced miner. We got to chatting about different things; Aussies always want to hear about different places in the USA, and of course I always want to learn about places in Australia where I haven't been yet. I mentioned something about the ocean scenery and Australian beaches, and this bloke went on to tell me he'd never go in the ocean because it's so dangerous. It seemed odd and quite ironic, coming from someone who spends 8-12 hours a day in an underground coal mine. :confused:

jackknife said:
Never too later to learn a very important skill on a world where the surface is covered in large part by water.
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I'm amused, not in a mean-spirited way, by an Aussie who can't swim. Considering the whole place is like a giant island. :)

Seriously though, I hate to get really wet when hiking too. It's difficult for me to get warm again, it's not comfortable, and wet gear sucks.

My idea would be to cross at the top or bottom of the pond where the crossing isn't as far and the water might not be as deep. Obviously though, your instructor wants the participants to have this water experience. And knowing the limits of your abilities and knowledge is a critical component of being a successful outdoor leader, but so is taking the opportunity to experience and learn new things. Being with a group of more proficient swimmers and with an experienced instructor is an ideal situation - better than having to do it for the first time in some sort of emergency, when you're alone, or when you're leading your own group. :thumbup:
 
How much do you weigh (not that you should tell us)?

I was serious about the pool noodle. I don't know the specs, but let's be hypothetical. For example, let's assume a pool noodle is 6' and can keep a 150# person afloat with both arms over the noodle.

I can buy one at various stores for $1 to $4 each. I could buy several and cut into whatever lengths work well for packing. Put three or four 2' sections together for a nice seat/pillow that could also be used to help you cross water.

The pool noodle is inexpensive, does not retain water, and will not deflate. The main disadvantage I see with it is the bulky dimensions might make it difficult to pack efficiently. I don't know how much they weigh, but they are relatively light as they are made from closed-cell foam similar to the lower priced sleeping pads.
 
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