Re: [Paddlewise] more on Coast Guard rescues

From: John Winters <735769_at_ican.net>
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1998 06:12:22 -0400
Wayne wrote;
(SNIP)

>Personally, I wouldnt call help for myself unless I had
>exhausted all other possibilities and was faced with certain death or
>equally unpleasant circumstances. Then I wouldnt hesitate to call. And I
>dont allow cell phones within 50 feet of my kayak or backpack.<G>

You and me both.

(SNIP)

>. As he has never made
>much effort to learn rough water boat handling skills, I wouldnt feel the
>slightest bit guilty. I'd rather have him be alive and pissed off, than be
>pissed off at myself for the rest of my life. I'm sure some people could
do
>it with a clean conscience but I'm not one of them. I suppose if wants to
>kill himself afterwards thats his business, but I'm not going to help.


So long as one isn't risking his own life to rescue one of these twits then
I agree that there is a moral obligation to rescue a person in dire
straits. Otherwise, I think you are a hell of a lot more valuable than your
friend if only because you have demonstrated a degree of personal
responsibility. One does have to be cautious. Suicide is a personal thing
and I wouldn't want to be interrupted. :-)

Cheers,
John Winters
Redwing Designs
Specialists in Human Powered Watercraft
http://home.ican.net/~735769/



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Received on Tue Sep 29 1998 - 04:23:00 PDT

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