RE: [Paddlewise] Risk - (Safety Factor)

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Shawn W. Baker [mailto:baker_at_montana.com]
>
snip
> 
> There are always risks present; even risks of problems that 
> could hurt a
> good paddler.  I consider myself to be a fairly proficient 
> paddler, but
> what if I injured my shoulder and couldn't roll or paddle very well? 
> What if I was solo at the time?  This situation could make 
> even an easy
> trip risky.  Maybe Dr. Inverbon is right about ARPEE's! ;)

  Good questions, Shawn.  Playing the "What If" game can be a good exercise.
Of course, one could also "what if" themself right back into the false
safety of the easy chair and a heart attack from worrying about the dangers
of life.  
  There's no magic formula - it all comes down to a combination of luck,
your ability (willingness) to learn from others, your ability to learn from
your own mistakes, ingenuity, that most uncommon of characteristics - common
sense, and in my particular case - whether or not my guardian angel was
being attentive at the critical moment (so far she's batting 1000!).
  One safety idea that I rarely see mentioned on this list, but that I use
religiously, EACH & EVERY time I go out solo, is to file a float plan with a
friend (along with the understanding that I don't want anyone to risk their
life or safety in any way to rescue me (or recover my body) if I disappear).
Maybe a float plan is such a basic idea that it is beneath mention, but I
consider it as important as my PFD, whistle, or knife.
  I'll pass on the ARPEE, I really like paddling alone.  Risk - I wouldn't
want a life without it - but I also try to manage it.  "Gnothi seuton."

Dave Seng
Juneau, Alaska
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