Re: [Paddlewise] FW: Risk - was How and when

At 10:34 AM 11/4/99 -0600, Chuck Holst wrote:
>
>Considering the large number of novice sea kayakers going out in the
>Apostles after only a few hours of instruction, I am amazed that there
>have not been any deaths in the area. Either the sport is not as
>inherently dangerous as we think (at least, not in a non-tidal area such
>as Lake Superior), or the amount of skill and instruction required to
>sharply reduce deaths is much lower than often appears. 
>

One of the difficulties that we have had with this discussion is that the
degree of risk varies so much from place to place and from time to time, so
you can't take blanket measures that are appropriate for all circumstances.

As a for-instance: we're talking an inland lake, about 600 acres. Water
temp is in the high fifties, air temp is in the seventies. Not enough wind
to try out my new sailboat, and a leisurely paddle on flat water with
another moderately skilled paddler. In spite of the marginal water temp, is
it reasonable to skip the wet suit? I was glad I did Sunday; before it was
over with, I'd peeled down to a t-shirt. It got warm out there.

OK, Monday a front comes through. It's the same lake, the water temp is
about the same, but the air temp is about 40, it's blowing 25-30 MPH, with
rain and snow, the waves are about as big as you'll ever see on an inland
lake, and, since it's a week day, I'd have to be solo and going out just
before sunset. Should I wear a wet suit? No, because I'm not going out in
those conditions. The risk level -- and, for that matter, the discomfort
level -- is too high.

I immensely respect people like Doug Lloyd, storm paddling, in a Nordkapp,
no less, miles from anywhere, solo, cold water, a huge element of risk --
but equipped and trained for it as well as he can be. Would I accept that
level of risk? No. Since I have a far more benign risk threshold, do I need
the same level of equipment, training and experience? I don't think so,
although clearly I do need some fraction of it.

The threshold of risk that each individual will accept has to be the
decision of that individual. That decision needs to be made conservatively
and wisely, and based on one's experience, training, equipment, and better
judgement. How do I acquire all this? It's not a straightforward answer --
it comes piece by piece, with some mistakes made along the way. While
training gives some depth to the process of making a decision, it cannot by
itself be the basis for decision. Theoretical knowledge needs to be
tempered by real world experience, or it won't be real. You have to give
people some credit for common sense. If you don't, they will resent blanket
rules.

-- Wes



***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not
to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************