Give a Yiti

: I'd like some opinions on what constitutes proper paddling attire for : safe, comfortable kayaking on Puget Sound, (water temperature 45F-48F). : The bottom line in Navy cold water survival training was that a person : without a dry suit, (the Navy doesn't equip it's flight crews with wet : suits as far as I know), had about 15 minutes to help himself in Puget : Sound, or Washington coastal waters. It has occured to me that even an : assisted re-entry could take more than 15 minutes. : I understand that opinions on this subject vary greatly. I know that : wet and dry suits are available. I also know that some respected names : in kayaking wear neither. I also know that the dry suits we used to fly : in were EXTREMELY uncomfortable. Dry-suit technology has advanced considerably over Navy poopie suits. Personally, I'd wear a farmer-john type wetsuit and a dry top for versatility.  There are even Gore-Tex drysuits available now, though they are a bit expensive.  Then again, what's your life worth? I think you'll find that dry suits that are reasonably comfortable are now available. : I have this crazy idea that a paddler should be able to do a self : rescue, which means the ability to survive in the water long enough to : perform the necessary tasks for an unassisted re-entry. Am I way off : _base_? I don't think you are off _base_.  There are, of course, some conditions which can make it really hard to get back in the boat if you have to bail out - but that makes a good protective suit even MORE important - and also makes good judgement about when to go and when not to very important.  It's best to be prepared to survive an emergency, because sometimes you get caught, but it's a lot better not to have to.