RE: [Paddlewise] Rental Boats

At 09:07 PM 10/15/99 -0400, Sidney_Stone_at_amsinc.com wrote:
>1.   Trapped Paddler Rescue:  I suspect the "instructor" was not proficient
>in the trapped paddler rescue.  Exiting one's kayak to do a rescue should
>be a last resort.

It seems to me that you're being awfully judgemental about the instructor
(otherwise you wouldn't have put the word in quotes), when if fact you
weren't there to witness what exactly happened.   Neither you, nor I know
what went through the instructors head when he was trying to rescue the
capsized paddler.   I didn't have a clear view of what the instructor tried
to do because the capsized boat blocked my view.  For all I know, he tried
to release the skirt but was pulled over, or his spray skirt popped.    But
I *do* know that it was a calm day so neither kayaker was in danger of
drifting away from the group,. I know that there were seven other boats within
100' (and probably well over 100 boats in the water within eyeshot), so the
rescuer really wasn't at risk.  I also would hesitate to call this a "trapped
paddler rescue" but rather a rescue of someone that had no idea what he
was supposed to do when he capsized.   I do think that having someone
in the water with the capsized paddler helped calm him down.

>2.   When in situations where the skill levels of paddlers are not known by
>the instructor, leader, guide, etc. , a few minutes should be spent asking
>about people's experience and their ability to do things such as a wet
>exit.  This is the instructor's responsibility regardless of the venue, and
>it only takes a few seconds.

I agree.   

>3.   Sounds like I have been extremely fortunate to paddle with and be
>coached by extremely competent, conscientious, and well trained instructors
>and guides.

Perhaps, though your statement implies that these instructors were not
all that based on a situation that you did not even see.


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