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.

Taking the non-PC approach.

I'm a big fan of modern day darwinism.  I'm also not a big fan
of more restrictive, padded cell mentality laws.  If someone wants to
freeze to death cause they weren't wearing warm enough gear, all
I ask is that not a lot of tax dollars get spent fishing the body
out of the water and disposing of said body in a sanitary manner.

I'm one of those that is against helmet laws, but pretty much always
wear my own helmet. Against laws requiring you wear a PFD, but
always wear mine.   As I get older I lean more toward keeping myself
safe and comfortable, but I'm not going to ram that down
someone else throat.

If a friend asks for my opinion, I'll strongly recomend using the
right safety gear, but I'm not going to missionary the rest of the
world to insist that they spend the cost of their kayak
on "manditory" safety gear.

Maybe if a few more clueless kayakers get eliminated from the gene
pool, there will be less crowding and less litter at various favorite
kayaking landings and campsites.

If you really feel something needs to be said,
About the farthest I would go is make sure that there are a bunch
of well written, helpful, and informative of flyers and notices
around the boathouse stressing how the right gear can make your
paddling safer and more comfortable.

Or if you are independantly wealthy, if you see someone without the
proper gear, give them yours to make sure they are safe. ;-)

dave

-- 
Dave Uebele (daveu_at_sptddog.com)	 Spotted Dog Systems
http://sptddog.com/daveu.html
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