Re: [Paddlewise] another approach at sea kayaking

Julio MacWilliams wrote:
> 
> After a close call that our group had three weeks ago, and now volunteering
> to lead trips for my club, I am taking another approach at sea kayaking.
> 
> In our last outing, even though the leader said very specifically and
> strongly that the trip was for people who had solid rescue and bracing
> skills, and previous open coast experience, a few people showed up with
> none of the above. The group was big, and the sea and wind were challenging
> even for the advanced paddlers.
> 
> To make the story short, I ended up towing a kayaker out of the rocks
> against the current while someone else towed his boat away. That person
> had a farmer John wetsuit, but only a capilene T shirt under it.
> I was towing him and trying to make him talk at the same time. His laps
> of silence were getting longer and longer -hypothermia. I was losing him.
> [snip] Now that I am participating
> in large group paddles and am going to start leading trips myself, things
> are quite different. Now I am going to start using gadgets.
> 
> I recently acquired a radio, an inflatable sea-seat, flares, a tow rope,
> and a first aid kit. With such a collection of gadgets I hope to make
> almost sure that everyone gets back alive when paddling in large groups.
[big snip]
> 
> Are you folks ready to talk about safety issues and group liability
> again, or should we wait for the water to freeze again? :-))

Well, Julio, you have hit on one of my more serious "soapbox issues." 
Here's my shot, in a nutshell:

1. You are opening yourself (and the club, maybe) up to some serious
liability problems.

2. The gadgets are a sop for the problems you are likely to encounter,
*if the club (and you) do not attack the "paddler competency" issue.*

3. As it becomes known that good ol' Julio will save the butts of people
who are not prepared for the conditions, that will bring on ... MORE
unprepared paddlers on the trips you lead.

In another context (mountaineering), I went through a period when I got
something out of cadging massively underprepared (but fit) people up
mountains.  It is one of the things I would not touch with a 50-metre
pole, at this point in my life.

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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