Re: [Paddlewise] more on Coast Guard rescues

From: <rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com>
Date: Sat, 26 Sep 1998 10:17:31 -0700
John Winters wrote:
> 
> Ralph wrote;
> 
> >My thought is that unless you are in a dicey situation with individuals
> >hurt, equipment damaged (your kayak holed and sinking), that kind of
> >stuff, you should not call for help.   SNIPPED
 
> As most people here know I am a strong advocate of non reliance on rescue
> and rescue gear and a strong advocate of staying out of trouble. SNIPPED

I had John very much in mind when I wrote what I submitted to Paddlewise
but I didn't want to use his name in vain. :-)  I feel strongly about
not asking for help and certainly staying out of harm's way in the first
place if it can be helped.  On a personal note, I saw it in my father (I
don't want to get into this beyond saying that his death came partly as
a result of his not seeking help) and now in my son, who has starved and
froze rather than rely on others.  It may be in the blood or maybe just
Latin pride and stubbornness.

I think that somewhere lost in the expansion of seakayaking in the last
decade has been the spirit of self-reliance many earlier devotees
brought with them to this chosen pursuit.  When in a jam, their first
thought was how to work themselves out of it, often by doing absolutely
nothing but rather taking a deep breath and assessing their predicament
and their range of choices before taking any action. 

ralph diaz 
-- 
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Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter
PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024
Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com
"Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag."
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Received on Sat Sep 26 1998 - 07:16:52 PDT

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