[Paddlewise] Not to wear a PFD is a Deadly Choice

R. Walker wrote:
 
> > Whatever that was, not wearing a PFD hardly is what kills a kayaker.
> > A PFD just makes it easier to retrieve the body.

snip

> Boggles the mind, here I've spent close to a year getting ready to
> punch through the surf zone off a Texas beach, and some brain
> damaged person willy-nilly rents a SOT kayak and takes it out
> through some of the roughest surf of the year.  Probably caring
> nothing but the PFD strapped on the rear deck, and a waterbottle
> between his legs.

> Richard Walker
> Houston, TX
_______________________________________________________________________

Well that willy-nilly person was not necessarily brain damaged
since the news article reports that he just started working for
the District Attorney's office, having recently graduated in the 
top third of his law school class. Do kayak rental companies not 
bother to query patrons on their experience?  Did they not know 
how rough the waters were at this time of the year and explain so
for the sake of precaution for the welfare of it's rental patrons 
and make certain that they must wear a PFD as a rental condition? 
What exactly is the liability of a boat or kayak rental company 
in such a context?

In Canada, (Alberta at least) an owner of a hotel bar or cocktail lounge
has been given (by law) some legal responsibility concerning the
quantity it's patrons drink where driving is involved.
Moreover, you don't want to be caught in a boat without wearing
a PFD by the RCMP. Are boat rental companies not liable in any way
for their rental customers? Are there not laws in Texas that require
recreation boaters to wear PFD's? We had a guy drown in from a canoe
overturning in the river on Canada Day while trying to gain an advantage to view the night time
fireworks. The guy was not wearing a PFD and the
police didn't even bother to search for his body that night. 
They found it several days later many many miles down river.The two
other people in the canoe survived because they were wearing PFD's. 

It appears that the Galvaston victim was not as educated as they report.
Do they not teach common sense in law school besides common law?
Being that the USA is the most litigious society on earth I would
not be surprised if someone did make a case out of this unfortunate
and unnecessary death.

It's obvious stupidity kills! I am persuaded that if every person that wanted to buy or rent a
kayak, had read Matt Broze's & George Gronseth's book, there would be fewer fatalities altogether
because they might then be somewhat more aware if not educated. If kayak rental personnel read
the book they might be more selective in reserving their right
to who they rent to. I hate to read about anyone drowning but especially
drowning from stupidity. Anyone have any commentary to offer about
rental companies?

regards,

Philip

"The eye refuses to see what the mind does not know."
                                     [Deepak Chopra]
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