Maine’s coastal waters attract paddlers like a magnet on brilliant sunny spring days -- such as yesterday morning -- but kayakers need to be prepared to survive a capsize in 40-degree water. That was the message yesterday as the Maine Association of Sea Kayak Guides and Instructors filmed a paddling safety video in Casco Bay.

Five kayakers paddle along the South Portland shoreline yesterday, part of filming a cold-water safety video.
ALL PHOTOS SCOTT ANDREWS

Joined by the U.S. Coast Guard, Maine Marine Patrol, medical experts and members of the electronic media, MASKGI president Scott Shea and three guides demonstrated several dumps and rescues off South Portland. WMTW-TV reporter Steve Minich, an avid warm-weather paddler himself, also got into the act. And into the body-numbing cold water.

While we were motoring past Spring Point aboard the Marine Patrol boat, Scott emphasized that dressing for the cold is an absolute first necessity. For frigid spring water temperatures, paddlers need both a wetsuit and a drysuit plus insulated, waterproof protection for hands, feet and head.

“We’re trying to emphasize dressing for the water, not the weather,” Scott explained. “It’s not enough to have just a life jacket. You need to be dressed for the cold water as well.”

Scott Shea is properly dressed for yesterday's 40-degree water.

Several simulated rescues were filmed. First, Tina Madore flipped her boat and was rescued by Scott.

Tina Madore is also dressed for cold-water paddling.

Tina struggles at the stern of her kayak.

Scott Shea arrives to help Tina.

Then Scott himself went over and demonstrated a self-rescue with paddle float and pump. I've known Scott for several years and bought my own kayak from his company, SeaSpray Kayaking. I enormously respect his skills as well as his desire and ability to communicate with the paddling public.

Scott Shea demonstrates a self-rescue.

After getting back in his boat, Scott pumps out the cockpit.

As a final demo, David Lenz swamped his 16-foot open canoe, and (by pre-arranged plan) had to be pulled out of the water by the Maine Marine Patrol.

David Lenz with a swamped canoe.

Following the on-water demos, Chuck Sutherland, a physiologist, paddler and cold-water survival expert, spoke to us about the proper procedures for dealing with hypothermia. He cited several cases where paddlers with severe cases of hypothermia had been saved by careful treatment according to protocols he helped develop. Check out Chuck’s web page. The case studies are particularly interesting.

The safety video is being produced by Eric Kaighin, executive director of Living Reel Productions, of Holbrook, Mass. I'll report on it when ready for release.

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