Brian wrote; >Some thots from a novice (I started last August). >I agree in theory, but not necessarily in practice >My life saving instructor 35 yrs ago started the course by saying that we would >spend 80 or 90% of the course time learning to do what we should avoid doing at >all costs, do only as a last resort, and hopefully never have to do -- namely, >jump in the water and drag someone to shore. There are a thousand ways to >avoid having someone in a drowning situation, and if they get to that state >anyway, there are a thousand better alternatives to jumping in and dragging >out. Nevertheless, we would spend most of our time learning that technique >because it is difficult, hard to learn, and if attempted, needs to be done >quickly, automatically, and with great skill and quick reflexes. (SNIP) I think, I may have failed to make myself clear. At no time have I ever said or implied that anyone should not learn rescue skills etc.. My argument is that the first priority is to learn accident prevention. One should not make the mistake of assuming that the time spent on a portion of a course indicates that it is the major priority. If anyone risked their life making a contact rescue when it was unnecessary in my RLSS course they were failed. Ditto when I instruct in first aid. I believe the the focus on rescues and not on accident prevention is a problem in sea kayaking. In my surveys I have discovered that few people know even the most basic methods of local weather prediction, chart reading or foul weather techniques and yet many of them can roll and have mounds of rescue gear on their boats. My example of the symposium was typical of this sport's focus. Lots of rescues and nothing on avoiding the need for rescues. Not one session on weather prediction. Not one session on risk assessment. Not one session on group decision making. Not one session on personal skills evaluation. But if you want to learn to roll, we got lots. We are continually admonished to learn to roll and use certain rescue equipment and yet rarely does one say, "Learn how to stay out of trouble." I can roll and even carry some of the rescue equipment but, as I have said before, all the first aid skills in the world are not half so useful as learning not to put your finger in the band saw." Can people be taught accident prevention? Absolutely. The problem may be that accident prevention isn't glamorous. Rolling and the gear is all very sexy. Staying ashore when one should isn't sexy at all. (Unless you have the right companion). Besides, the gear you need is in your head and no one can see how safe a paddler you are. More cynicism from the head cynic. 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 Sat Apr 18 1998 - 14:31:49 PDT
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