Re: [Paddlewise] The risk of Cold water Immersion

In a message dated 11/4/99 4:42:29 AM Pacific Standard Time, 
Outfit3029_at_aol.com writes:

>   The only reason that I am harping on certified instruction is to 
>  assure minimum standards.  If the instructor teaches to the proper level, 
> the  Newbie should be safe.

Perhaps in a perfect world where *Common Sense* is common, where newbies take 
classes and care to learn, and where instructors -- certified or not, can 
actually teach good judgment.

Bruce, I think it is rather dangerous thinking if you actually believe, and 
therefore tell the newbies that will listen, that your (or some) brand of 
certification can turn the instructor into the magic pill that will make them 
safe.  Nothing can make them safe.  Nothing can even start to ensure their 
(our) safety except their (our) own intelligent judgment, vigilance and 
dedication in making certain that the level of their (our) skills, knowledge, 
equipment and preparation are all up to a level at least equivalent to the 
conditions they (we) might encounter on each leg of each trip.  This isn't 
taught in a single lesson or series of lessons, but is a continuous learning 
process which should (I believe) include *quality* instruction.

I do believe that certification is a good thing and would even get all the 
certs available if I had the time and money needed.  I could undoubtedly 
learn a great deal and might even become a better instructor at the levels I 
teach.  I also believe that the certification process can raise the general 
level of instruction.  But I also believe that many of the best and most 
knowledgeable instructors in US kayaking have never had certification 
instruction.

I worry when anyone holds the act of certification (or teaching to some 
minimum standards) up as a final solution to any question of safety. 


Hardly got any opinions about anything :^)
Harold
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