Re: [Paddlewise] Group dynamics (long)

One little comment here.  We have all this money invested in equipment in order
to paddle safely.  It's not that much more for a VHF radio (maybe $100 US).
Though I haven't made use of them, I am told there are certain channels where
people will phone your family in case your plans change suddenly.  And don't
forget you have a direct line to the Coast Guard.  I know there are times when
having a radio may not help you, but in the majority of cases it will.  Both
Megan and I have our own radio.  In the event we are separated we have a plan
of time and channel for contacting each other, in addition to our ability
independently to call for help.

Keith Kaste

Richard Culpeper wrote:

> dianem_at_sd61.bc.ca wrote:
>
> --big snip of insightful post--
>
> > I  want to be sure that if I say I will stay and wait, that my
> > companion
> > understands that I mean that and not to go off without me, and that I
> > expect the same; I would not let a headstrong novice paddler set out
> > on her
> > or his own; I wouldn't leave my paddling companion unless he/she was
> > injured or unable to paddle and I had to seek help.
>
> --snip--
>
> I quite agree with John's analysis of Diane's adventure, and also agree
> with John that Diane's trip raises several separate issues which warrant
> discussion.  In this post  I would like to focus on the pressure which
> is sometimes felt on day trips to make it home rather than to camp over.
>
> OK gang, hands up for those who have spouses, children, parents or close
> friends who would flip-out, think we are dead or in dire circumstances,
> and call 911 if we did not return in the evening from a day trip.  Let's
> face it, for many paddlers (perhaps most), there is this outside
> influence on our decision concerning whether to press on or to pitch
> camp.  Lord knows my folks were like this.
>
> I think, however, that this sort of counter-productive pressure can be
> somewhat mitigated by including the stay-at-homes in the trip planning
> process, and by acclimating both them and yourself to occasional
> un-expected camp-overs.  By going through the trip plan with them each
> and every time you go out, you stand a better chance at them realizing
> that your not arriving home for tea means that you are more likely to be
> safe and snug somewhere than in danger.  Make it very clear when they
> should call for help, but make it equally clear that up to this point
> they should not worry.  The less they worry, the less you will worry
> about them worrying, and the more rational your decisions will be.  If
> they are not capable of rationalizing their fears, you simply have to
> recognize this, and if you find yourself in a jam, you must remind
> yourself to not let your perception of their anxiety affect your
> decision. At each leg of a journey which is running into trouble,
> discuss the matter with the group.  Get it out in the open, and ask that
> extraneous concerns, such as the anxiety of folks at home, be filed away
> and not be allowed to influence your immediate safety decisions.  Even
> if you are concerned that an expensive rescue may be called in, you
> still must not let this affect your decision.
>
> Richard Culpeper
> www.geocities.com/~culpeper
>
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