Re: [Paddlewise] Chuck Holsts Poor Judgm

Chuck wrote;

(SNIP)
>Regarding the hazards of a Sand Island crossing, experienced kayakers
>disagree. Bill was practically born in a kayak, and I think he
>underestimates the difficulties such a crossing can pose to a relatively
>inexperienced kayaker. Several years ago I was the last-minute assistant
>leader of a beginners trip to Sand Island that resulted in a capsize and
>a return to the mainland. Fortunately, everyone had practiced group
>rescues, and no one was injured or became hypothermic, but I put the
>blame for that capsize squarely on the leaders (including myself), who
>should never have taken the group out in the conditions we experienced
>that day.

(SNIP)

This comment presents one of the great dangers in leadership that sometimes
surfaces I.e. that leaders may lead people into danger because they
incorrectly assess the abilities etc. of participants. I cannot recall
exactly how many of the examples in "Deep Trouble" contain this scenario
but I do recall some.

I like Dave Kruger's solution to club trips although I occasionally do
organise (as opposed to lead) them. Most of the time I travel alone so I
guess I just avoid the problem. In a way I employ Ralph's "fear" method.
The thought of having to rescue someone scares me to death so I don't take
anyone along if I can avoid it.

On a slightly off topic matter (but one I hold dear to my heart) I noticed
that Ray Killen wrote;

>3. Define the curriculum for 5 proposed new classes to be sanctioned by
the
>ACA.  These are:
>A. Rolling
>B. Surf
>C. Tidal Currents
>D. Expeditions
>E. Greenland skills

I do not see weather and weather forecasting on that list. I have just
completed a re-read of "Deep Trouble" and kept tally of the root causes of
the accidents. In all but four instances the root cause of the incident
resulted from deteriorating weather or the failure to recognise its
severity.

I have assumed that the list provided by Ray reflects those topics that the
ACA considers important or at least important enough to treat as major
topics of instruction. I may be chastising the ACA unfairly so maybe Ray
can bring us up-to-date on the amount of the proposed course devoted to
weather and weather forecasting as well as staying out of trouble.

As I mentioned some time back, few kayaking courses cover weather awareness
in much detail (based on my own experience and my survey on the topic) . No
doubt there will be some content in the ACA course on weather but the list
Ray gave us suggests its importance (not much) to the course. No doubt
accident prevention lacks the glamour of rolling, expeditions, surf and
traditional skills but it seems to me to that bland old keeping out of
trouble should be a major topic.

I have also checked the BCU handbook and out of roughly 500 pages only four
are devoted to weather. In 6.5 pages of bibliography only one book listed
is devoted to weather. Lest one think I am picking on the BCU, none of the
other manuals I have read does any better and many do worse.

Sorry for the broken record. I get  bit testy at the almost never ending
parade of posts over wet suits, rolls, rescue gear, rescue methods etc. but
nary a word about not getting into those situations where such gear might
be required.

ETC.

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





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