Re: [Paddlewise] How and when to speak up

I agree with you that people may not want the advice.

Having said that I will passionately ask yo to please start wearing a
helmet when biking, since I would like to continue receiving your comments.
I say I am asking passionately since a helmet saved my 13 year old son from
serious head injuries and possible death this summer when he was hit by a
car.  He was medivaced by helicopter to the hospital.  He was indeed lucky.
He had also had the foresight to purchase a new helmet several days earlier
when it was noticed his current helmet had a small crack.  My brother races
bikes.  I ride.  We all wear helmets.

Wearing helmet and PFD's are individual choices.  They do not in and by
themselves negate the dangers of the sport(s), but they do reduce the risk
of injury should a mishap occur.

I have done my preaching for today.

best wishes and safe paddling, bike riding, driving, et al to all,
sid


                                                                  
 (Embedded                                                        
 image moved   James Lofton <n5yyx_at_etsc.net>                      
 to file:      11/02/99 04:43 PM                                  
 pic10264.pcx)                                                    
                                                                  



To:   paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
cc:    (bcc: Sidney Stone/AMS/AMSINC)
Subject:  Re: [Paddlewise] How and when to speak up




rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com wrote:
>
>BIG SNIP<
> So some questions:
>
> 1.  Should one speak up always when confronted with such situations of
> pretty off-the-mark paddling approaches?  I don't mean talking with
> someone who is wearing a farmer john when you think the situation calls
> for a full suit or not having spare paddles etc. i.e. incremental
> differences rather than wholesale ones.  I mean something very basic
> like seeing some one with jeans and windbreakers in Northeast paddling
> in December.

I sometimes wonder if telling people what is good for them isn't counter
productive, much of the times.

People are snowed under with rules, legistation, laws, and orances sp?,
until most just want a tiny bit of say so in what they do. I would guess
paddling is one of those things.

I'm not suggesting that there are right ways or safe ways to do it, just
that sometimes being able to make a mistake or two is part of the
learning curve. ..and if it's fatal, well..it was that persons choice.

If someone sees everyone doing something one way and decides to do it
someother way, don't you think maybe it was a concious thought?

I can only conpare this to the motorcycle helment debate. Most would
agree that a helment will protect your head..? , but I have seen people
blasting along the hyways with one on and wearing shorts, no shirt,
thongs, and have some little thing on the back, barefooted and a halter
top. Got them helments on tho! :-(

If the kayaking communty wants to have laws that says you have to dress a
certain way and carry certain things, well fine. You still can't
legislate common sence or even half way good judgement calls.

My personal opinion is to help pass on help and information to those that
ask, but don't try to cram it down those that likely don't.

I've been told to dress for emersion. I know that, I've been in freezing
water and work at not repeating the exsperance. I've also had 93 stitches
in my face from a bike wreck, but I still won't wear a helment.

If some clown came up to me at the lake and told me I wasn't dressed
corectly.., on a good day I would just smile and walk away.

I guess I just say lighten up or work to pass laws. They seem to be the
American way.

James, wouldn't have done anything if I'd waited for proper
instruction(or approval)

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