[Paddlewise] Fatalites and PFDs

Julio wrote:

> Just to clarify my point, I am not saying that PFD's should not be used.
> PFD's are very valuable to help rescuing victims, and it is a good idea
> to wear them all the time. But I refuse to believe that the lack of a PFD
> is the cause of any fatality, specially in regards to type III's.
> 

Since Julio refuses to believe, attempts to convince him of his errors are a
waste of bandwidth.  However, since there may be some wiser souls out there
in PaddleWise cyberspace, I have a few comments.

Multiple causation is easily demonstrable for most if not all accidents.
The multiple contributing causes for this specific accident have been
discussed elsewhere.  A statement that the lack of a PFD is *THE* cause of
this or any kayaking accident is clearly and logically false.  However, the
failure to properly wear a PFD is clearly a contributing factor to this and
most boating fatalities.  Safety measures, PFDs, flares, paddling skills, or
whatever, are not garantees of everlasting life, they are simply risk
reduction tools that increase the probability of a desireable outcome or
decrease the unwanted effects of boating accidents. Whether or not the use
of a PFD would have saved the kayaker in question can never be known.  We
could, of course, construct experiments to test whether various risk
reduction tools are cost effective.  IMHO such discussions are best
conducted as hypothetical conversation over cold beer, fine wine or single
malt scotch.  

Dana Dickson 
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