Re: [Paddlewise] Leader Requirements

> From: "patrick.maun_at_duffy.com  " <patrick.maun_at_duffy.com>

> >Those rules should be presented 
> >before the trip.  Rules such as no one will leave the group, everyone 
> >will wear a pfd (or no one will wear a pfd depending on your club :-),
> >everyone will carry glow sticks at night, everyone will have a whistle,
> >etc..  
> 
> Good points Jackie,
> 
> The only part I'd disagree with is the "no one will leave the group"
> thing.  

There are some who feel very strongly about keeping the group together.
When a paddler disappears over the horizon and out of sight, it's
difficult for others to know whether that paddler is ok, might be in need 
of help, whatever.  Also, paddlers that leave the group are not around if
their assistance might be needed.  Sometimes the group (and this has
happened) may change their mind in the middle of a crossing and want
to return, but the paddler that has disappeared cannot be conferred with.
Leaving a group behind can really cause inconvenience for the rest of the
group not to mention possibly creating a dangerous situation.  It all 
depends on your purpose of paddling in a group.  If you are with a group 
that expects and doesn't care that paddlers disperse, that's the option 
for that group.  It's just another preference.  If you know it beforehand
and disagree, then you have the option of not going.

> I do agree with waivers and think that they are a great opportunity
> for outlining trip rules. Currently, to take part in a club trip (Twin
> Cities Sea Kayak Association), a member must show that they can execute a
> wet-exit and paddlefloat  re-entry, and must have all the basic equipment (by
> basic I mean PFD, paddlefloat, whistle).  

This could have something to do with club insurance.  I don't know.  I 
know that the ACA provides insurance for clubs that are ACA affiliated (I 
don't know what they do about visitors or club members that don't belong 
to the ACA).  I'm not sure what the requirements are for the level of 
experience for trip coordinators to be covered or even if there are 
requirements.

> I think the trick here is to define the differences between leader and
> organizer/coordinator. Should a organizer be BCU or ACA certified? I don't
> think so.  This is one of the debates going on in our club. I am an
> intermediate kayaker. I am not certified by anyone but have taken an
> ACA-certified course. I have taken several CPR courses, but not since 8th 
> grade and I hear that CPR has been updated (has the human respiratory 
> system changed or what?). Should this exclude me from organizing a 
> beginning trip, say a class I river trip in waters I am familiar with? 
> I don't think so. 

Can't there be a category for non-club trips but announcements by the
individual that a trip is taking place?  I don't know if this would 
release the club from liability or not which I guess is their concern.
Plus, the majority just may decide that they are not going to budge on
what they consider are their minimum standards.  I have seen clubs
announce "non-club" outings in their newsletters.  It's just basically
a bulletin board.  REI has a board where people announce outings on
index cards and they have no idea of their capabilities.  I would be
surprised if they would be liable.  But I don't know.  However, because
the notices are there leads me to believe REI is not liable.

> Debate?

This is how many new clubs are formed.  What one group considers minimum,
another thinks is too restrictive. 

Cheers,

Jackie
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