Re: [Paddlewise] Risk Homeowhatsis

>Doug Lloyd wrote:
>
>[monster snip]
>> What are _my_ greatest allies for survivability, if that is the name of the
>> game? Not rating systems, that's for sure. Try, in order, common sense,
>> constant paddler's  awareness, knowledge/understanding of your skill level,
>> knowledge/understanding of your environment, the ability to think
>> three-dimensionally/proactively, *complete* self-reliance,
>> preparation/training, good gear and back-up gear, to name a few.

Dave replied:
>Good list.  Worth noting is that "ability to think three-dimensionally
..." is
>a difficult skill for some folks, and while the ability can be improved, a
few
>never reach a high level.  Example:  a former colleague, though
well-motivated
>to develop the ability to "read" topographical maps, **never** could do it,
>despite repeated, intensive attempts.

Doug says:
Those who have three-dimensional thinking abilities (3-DT) when operating
in a moderate to high risk environment have the edge. This type of thinking
skill is probably understood by some of the navy pilot types we have in our
PW group. Fighter pilots are dead without it. The game of chess develops
3-DT. Chess players perhaps go to extremes at the higher levels, often
cognating for hours over a single move (unless under a time limit). Chess
is a game of calculations and of complex multiple-mental permutations.

I like sea kayaking on the open ocean, on multi-day trips where you develop
3-DT. Like chess, the next "move" of mother nature may force you to
recalculate all your options. Route planing, as Ralph noted recently, taxes
your 3-DT -- or moreover, tests the results in real time soon enough. Dave
suggests correctly that while one's 3-DT ability can be improved, some
individuals don't reach a high level. I find this can be generally true,
but I also have seen some kayakers who have low to average intelligence
increase their cognition potential as they take on higher risk activity.
I've also seen intelligent, doctoral level individuals who just didn't have
a clue, finally getting nicked by the high risk's razor edge. Bloody
messes, they was. 

As part of our training curriculum at my local club, we developed 3-DT
exercises for new paddlers, using real life examples from the book "Deep
Trouble", breaking down the various factors, and then seeing if the
students could predict outcomes. While some of the executive felt we should
push hard skills, I desperately pleaded that we incorporate the above type
of exercises too. To me, it was mission critical. I lost out in the end,
and hard skills won the day.   

I said originally:
>[snip]
>> Another big one - protocol[:] the recent incident near South Portland,
>> Maine, with the bellbouy clinging kayaker: Alone, no back-up gear, shor
>> kayak, outflow current/inflow winds (I assume), to my way of thinking, is
>> out of tune with acceptable, normal paddling protocol.

Dave replied:
>Isn't "protocol" just risk homeostasis in different clothing?  Seems to me
the
>"protocol" we agree is the norm for surf kayaking (for example) is just the
>kit of tools and skills which reduces the risk to some "herd-acceptable"
level
>-- the level which almost every kayak surfer feels is OK (excluding Tsunami
>Ranger-types).
>
Doug"
Well, yeah. Its all a matter of degree. I was just concerned because Dave
said in an earlier post about bellboy (spelling intentional), not to be too
hard on the guy, that Dave could see himself accidently getting himself in
to a similar situation. No, I don't think so. This guy was way over the
edge for normal. I take a lot of risks, but I do it with my eyes wide open
(well, most of the time). I don't have a rivers edge to crawl up too and
get back in the kayak. To me, this guy just didn't fit into any normal
category. He has a right to be out there. I'm not opposed to that.
Especially not me. I just felt he was a loose cannon in a sport where we
all take aim at certain activities and levels of risk; that most of us know
what kind of skill and equipment we need to  have to undertake said
activity in a manner commensurate with typical customs.

Dave:  
>And, when we decide somebody was woefully unprepared, aren't we often just
>projecting our own level of "acceptable risk" onto their behavior?

Doug:
Apples and oranges.

Dave:
>I used to have a group of friends whose comfort zone climbing was
outlandishly
>different from mine:  I would not ice climb couloirs which had lots of
>stonefall.  Nor would I "free climb" without the protection of a rope on
>high-angle rock.  They did, and felt comfortable with their "acceptable
>risk."  Ahhhmmm ... sure wish I could ask them about that, but most of them
>are dead now ... victims of their "acceptable level of risk."

Doug:
I've climbed too, in the Purcels, and part way up Mt Assiniboine. I've done
"Australian" repelling down some steep faces (repelling backwards, face out
from the wall). I always knew when I was doing something dumb. I knew I
would turn into one of those mountain statistics. I also gave it all up as
too dangerous generally -- Marmots biting your hands at four in the
frigging morning as you ascend from base camp, falling rock, unstable ice
bridges. I find water a lot softer, seals a lot friendlier, and weather
offering a lot more windows of opportunity if you pick the right time of year.

Despite my notoriety for rough water paddling, I'm in the game for the
long-haul. When the level of risk exceeds that parameter, I usually back
off, but the reasons are different than why most would back-off. I've had
many days where I refuse to paddle, even though it wasn't that bad. I knew
my attitude was bad that day - I was feeling *too* invincible, and knew
there was a potential for trouble, so didn't want to tempt fate when
conditions deteriorated. There are few conditions I won't paddle in, and
that is the problem. That's when I back off - when I most *want* to go out
and challenge nature. On our April 99 Storm Island rescue trip, one buddy
went hypothermic in the gale, the other was exhausted and falling asleep. I
was just starting to have fun. See what I mean? The next day, I felt like I
could conquer the world. I took the rest of the year off paddling. (BTW,
the Storm Island report is on hold with SK Magazine due to one of the
individuals still getting over the trauma and stigma). Well, I hope this
all makes sense and has some relevance to someone. Sounding too
self-important -- gotta go!

BC'in Ya
Doug Lloyd   

>-- 
>Dave Kruger
>Astoria, OR
>not accepting much risk these days
>
>
***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************