Back from the west coast and some thoughts on Julio's paddle float. Test in the kinds of conditions that cause capsize. i.e. conditions that will scare the crap out of you. I found that almost anything works in benign conditions. If you can't use it when scared to death a rescue device is not very useful. Test it with someone with very little experience. If they have trouble with it then you know something needs fixing. Experts are not the only problem. :-) Make sure that the proper rigging is an integral part of the float when it is sold. My experience is that a perfectly fine float is worthless if the rigging is worthless. An important issue is TIME. The longer it takes to deploy the less likely it will save your life. As everyone knows I am not keen on rescue gadgets but if one is doing one it is important that the device provides more safety than is lost by the illusion of safety. In other words, if you think the device makes you safer you must be certain it really does make you safer and doesn't just make you THINK you are safer. Cheers, John Winters Redwing Designs Specialists in Human Powered Watercraft http://home.ican.net/~735769/ *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************Received on Fri Mar 20 1998 - 16:18:44 PST
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