Re: [Paddlewise] Paddle floats

John Winters wrote:

> ...<snip>...
> Do you ever paddle in conditions where you would not paddle unless you had
> a rescue skill or rescue gear?
>
> Would you refuse to paddle in higher risk conditions if you did not have
> the gear?

Yes to all of the above. This is entirely rational (so long as I don't
misinterpret the risk). One doesn't learn how to roll, brace, etc. to be
able to paddle more safely in a pool or on a mill pond. The same applies
to equipment. Without a spray skirt I would not venture out into
whitewater or wind waves or surf. The fundamental purpose of skills
(such as rolling) and equipment (such as spray skirts) is to allow one
to extend one's range more safely than would be possible without such
skills and equipment. The purpose is *not* to allow one to be able to
paddle in difficult conditions as safely as one could paddle in the
pool. Of course there is an increase in risk in paddling in difficult
conditions, even with the skills and equipment. But the goal is to
optimize risk, not to minimize risk.

I have never felt that manufacturers of spray skirts or helmets are
trying to mislead me into thinking that it is as safe to paddle
whitewater with their equipment as it is to paddle in the pool without
it. In fact a lable in my Lidds helmet states that even with their
helmet, an impact may result "in head or spinal injury and death". (Of
course I knew this without reading the label.) You seem to be implying
that paddlers are lulled into thinking that such equipment makes
paddling "safe". In those cases where paddlers underestimate the risk we
have a "safety problem". But the fact that some paddlers choose to take
on greater risks because of their skills and equipment is not by itself
evidence of a problem. Not all risk is irrational.

Dan Hagen
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