[Paddlewise] The risk of Cold water Immersion

> From:          "Kehoe, Kevin" <KEHOEK_at_coned.com>

> Subject:       RE: [Paddlewise] How and when to speak up

>  Some will listen, most will not.  Reducing risk is paramount to the more
> experienced paddlers but lessens the thrill for the novice.  Posting water
> temperature is a good start but experience is the best teacher. I think it's
> best to simply suggest there is a risk and advise the novice to be careful.
========================

Boaters coming into sea kayaking from the general public have NEVER 
BEEN IN COLD WATER dressed only in their blue jeans and T-shirts. 
They are absolutely convinced that they will be able to swim as well 
in November as they did in July.

I believe that it is not that they are out for the thrill and danger 
of it.  The problem is that they can not possibly imagine what it is 
like to plunge into cold water with no PFD and wearing only street 
clothes.  The American boating culture is that of the open (fishing) 
boat crowd that will never agree to wearing a PFD no matter what 
season or weather.  They are devoid of training.  They bring their 
ignorance with them when they buy the kayak and launch.  What's to 
learn?   They had no problem in August; now they have paddled 
successfully a few times-- they are blooming experts in their own 
minds.   Guess what?   A few of them will be written up in  short 
columns in the obits of a local newspaper.  "Local expert dies in kayaking mishap." 
Most of us will never see the story.   The fact is they never had a 
chance out there.  NO ONE TOLD THEM ANYTHING !!

Chuck Sutherland  
http://www.enter.net/~skimmer
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