Re: [Paddlewise] Death by Tether

Doug Lloyd wrote:
> 
> ...<snip>...
>  My summary to PW is simple: 1) Tether your
> paddle as a minimum, where and when needed, as opposed to resorting to
> putting it in a cockpit. That would be a correct use of a tether, making it
> more avaliable in the event of a capsize. 2) Tethering to your boat is
> fine, when and where warrented of course, but you have got to have some
> run-out of line to give you some distance to be able to bob to the surface,
> independant of your kayak. Relying on a system where you would have to hold
> your breath in order to unclip while upside down is a disaster waiting to
> happen. This accident was wholly preventable. 3) Always cary an accessible
> knife. The Sheriff's Dept found none in connection with this incident. 4)
> Tandem fishing lines - come on, that's almost as greedy as the overload of
> illegal weed from the other incident. One pole, mounted in a rod holder,
> away from the cockpit, I presume, would be much safer. 4) Fishing alone, as
> is solo kite sailing from a kayak, in my opinion, has inherent risks easily
> mitigated by paddling with someone else; though with care and precautions,
> both activities in the solo mode can be done with a modicum of safety.

Doug,

I think that you have done an excellent job of extracting the proper
conclusions (given the information about the incident that you
provided). Although your subject line should perhaps read "Death by
Ill-Conceived Tether".

Dan Hagen
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