Re: [Paddlewise] Club Safety

Dana wrote;

(SNIP of trip description and people)

>What I am worried about it is the return
>trip once we are committed, we're paddling to   an island.  Everyone will
>wear their PFD's on  the trip.  The sticking point is do I decide that
they
>are not qualified to go, and take the responsibility of deciding when they
>are qualified or do I let them go and take the responsibility for letting
>them go.

Do you want to put yourself in  position where you will have to rescue them
and maybe fail? You know there is risk butt you are confident you can take
it because of your skills despite the possibility that it can get out of
hand. Suppose you couldn't "guarantee" safety. What would you do then"? Are
you sure you can "guarantee" safety?


>I know I can rescue them if only one has a problem but if two or three do
I
>am in a pickle.  I will not take them out if the conditions are bad to
>start with.  I have never refused anyone from traveling with me.  I have
>told some, including these two that I did not know if their skills were
>adequate.

How do you know that you can rescue them in all conditions? Suppose you
have a problem get sick etc.? Maybe the poor paddlers are going because
they feel you will save them if they get into  trouble. Is that fair to
you?

>I do teach kayaking and a little canoeing at clinics for the two clubs I
>belonged to.  I will go through the standard rescue skills at the start of
>the paddle, I will stick close to these new Paddlers during the trip.
>So what do you think?  Stupid, dumb, helpful, brave, or willing.
>Or all the above, none of the above.
>In all my years of canoeing and kayaking I have not lost any one yet, and
>have coached people through some dangerous situations.  I am open to
>opinions or flames but hopfully mostly opinions.

I don't feel anyone should exceed their abilities. This is a voluntary
situation and it is profoundly unfair of the poorer paddlers to place you
in a position where you must take responsibility for them. On the other
hand, if they are paying you, it is your call an tey havea right to expect
you to provide for their safety. Maybe that's the question to ask yourself,
would I be willing to take these people out for pay if my insurance had
just been cancelled?

If they were on my trip I would suggest that it was over their heads but if
they insisted on going I would tell them that if I got hurt rescuing them
they would be sued by a lawyer who has no trouble at all in getting blood
out of a turnip and their families heirs or  assigns would be eating Kraft
dinner for the next five decades. If that didn't scare them off then I hope
they have a good time.



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