Re: [Paddlewise] How and when to speak up

rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com wrote:
> 
> I guess like others on this list, I have run into situations when you
> see someone doing something somewhat risky in sea kayaking and you have
> to decide whether to speak up or not.  
<snip>
> 
> So some questions:
> 
> 1.  Should one speak up always when confronted with such situations of
> pretty off-the-mark paddling approaches?  

Off the cuff answer: yes. What's the worst that could happen? Some jerk
blows you off as a tight-arsed old fogey (well, maybe worse things
things happen in NYC ;) ). What's the worst thing that could happen if
you don't? The jerk gets hurt or dies, and you know you might have been
able to prevent it. I first typed "could have prevented it," but I'm
backing down from that; it's not that certain.

Do I always do it? No.
> 
> 2.  What is the best way of vocalizing the dichotomy between their
> oblivious paddling approach and a more prudent approach that experienced
> paddlers tend to adhere to?  

My technique is to use "I" and avoid "You". So rather than say "You're
going to freeze your butt off dressed like that", perhaps say "I went
out dressed like that once and froze my butt off. Nearly died of
hypothermia and spent the night in the ER. Hasn't happened since I
bought this neat Fuzzy Rubber suit." Note that this personal revelation
does not actually have to be true.

As much as possible, it helps to try to blur the line between oblivious
and experienced, at least as far as the person standing in front of you
is concerned. So it may not be useful to start out with "Yesee, son,
I've been paddling these here waters for nigh onto 25 years, and..."
because the inescapable conclusion of the listener is "...and you
haven't, so you're inferior to me." Especially if the listener is a male
accompanied by a female, as these types have a strong need to know
everything, and therefore _must_ reject advice, as following it would
prove the contrary.

These suggestions apply to casual contacts, not to members of the party
I'm paddling with. There I want to be much more direct: "You're not
dressed warmly enough for immersion. Put some more clothes on or you're
not going with me."

YMMV.

Steve
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