Re: [Paddlewise] Incapacitated partner

At 14:27 6/15/98 EDT, you wrote:
>
>This brings up an interesting sidebar issue: it's really important when
>paddling with people we don't know well to have a pretty clear idea of any
>potential medical problems that other paddlers could encounter.  (I was
>paddling a "double-cross" of the Chesapeake Bay with some friends and another
>paddler asked to join in --- and, during our conversation, the subject turned
>to heart conditions --- which he had.  Now, this isn't the middle of the Gulf
>of Mexico or anything, but we're still about two miles from nearest landfall,
>and any medical emergency certainly has the potential for turning into one of
>Clyde's "worst case" scenarios.  So, the question is, how does one ask --- in
>a politically correct manner, of course --- a paddler who wants to join a
>group if he/she has any medical conditions which could be encountered during a
>trip?
>
>Ideas?
>
>Jack "Joq" Martin
>

before the start of any trip, i always ask:

"does anyone have a medical condition i should be aware of?"

i also give them the opportunity to tell me, privately, if this is 
the case ... it's a big deal in the middle of nowhere, where i tend
to paddle as much as possible!!  ;-)

it is important to know as a trip coordinator. i have a potentially
severe medical problem, and do share it with trip coordinators as well.
luckily, this has never been an issue for me on any trip i've lead. [and
now i am knocking on wood!!]

mark


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mark zen                      o,    o__              o_/|   o_.
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Rocky Mtn Sea Kayak Club, Colorado River Flows, Poudre Paddlers
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#-Fortune:
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