Re: [Paddlewise] Paddling Through Surf

Still More GULPS!

I'm trying limit the limitless variables that I keep thinking up concerning our
ColdOne.  But I've been thinking of the leader's responsibilities to the Group
as opposed to ColdOne.  What are the thoughts from people who have led trips,
large/commercial trips particularly.  I can't think of any actual incidents
that are close to what we have been talking about.  Does anyone know of a
related incident?

I think we may have come to an ethical/moral problem as opposed to a kayaking
technical problem.......  I'm just going to ignore Legal.....

We have been talking almost exclusively about the ColdOne and technical methods
to get the victim to shore.  What about the other members in the group?  If the
group is two people, LeaderWithNoGoodChoices and ColdOne, what if the surf
conditions are such that even our poor leader might not survive?  The two are
at a point along the coast where it is to rocky and rough to make a landing.
Or just flat out impossible.  What should LeaderWithNoGoodChoices do?  If a
landing is very high risk or impossible, what to do?  Leave ColdOne?  If
staying rafted up is possible, ColdOne is eventually a Goner since s/he can't
be warmed up.  Leaving ColdOne to try to get help does not work either.
Staying with ColdOne likely risks the life of LeaderWithNoGoodChoices but rea
lly does not help the victim.  What is the correct action?  Is this now an
ethical question?

Assuming that towing or landing is not an option it seems like you try to wait
it out with ColdOne.  GULP!

What if there are three or more people in the group.  In the last scenario
MAYBE a person(s) could paddle to find a rescuer leaving a person(s) to keep
GoldOne from going bottom up.  If the landing is possible just really ugly and
likely to lead to further injuries to ColdOne and the rescuers, what about the
rest of the group?  What responsibilities does LeaderWithNoGoodChoices have to
toward them?  Are they now being placed at risk to do an unforeseen landing in
bad conditions?  Should they paddle on their original course after ColdOne and
friends have made a landing?  Does TheLeaderWithNoGoodChoices have more
responsibility to ColdOne than the others?   When does the health of the rest
of the group overtake concerns for ColdOne?

There are many variables in this such as the skill level in the group, is there
someone who can take over leadership if the group splits, wind direction, wind
speed, sea state, etc.  but at what point does the trip leader decide that the
group is more important?  What options does LeaderWithNoGoodChoices have at
that point?  What about ColdOne?

Seems like in some of this you quickly come to a point of having to make a
decision that you can live with when the 20/20 glasses are on, aka, looking in
the mirror.  Or a decision that might be the less painful.....

Later...
Dan McCarty


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