[Paddlewise] Safety and Novices

I always get a bit guilty after posting some kind of example of derring-do.
Whether it is myself and whirlpools, or Duane talking about surfing or X
rescues, or someone else discussing a long crossing or cave exploration
trip, I always have a concern that newbies to the sport who have just
joined Paddlewise the might be tempted to try to over do it, or even have a
bit more cavalier attitude toward safety.

Please, please, please...if you are new to the sport or wanting to expand
your experiences toward something a little more adventurous, you are in a
dangerous mode for the next little while. Once a new paddler has acquired a
few rudimentary skills, bought some good gear, immersion clothing, and
possibly some essential safety items/devices, etc, there is a point where
you think you can handle a whole lot more than perhaps you are able. Be
very careful.

I've taken a lot of risks over the years - everything form being pinned and
beat up against barnacle covered dock supports as a big ferry pulled away,
to being blown back out to sea just near the completion of a long, rough,
20 mile crossing. I've always got out of it due to shear determination and
will power, but not everybody has such mind over matter powers - or perhaps
it has just been plain good luck or God's angel rescue squad she keeps on
standby for me.

I normally take risks with my eyes wide open, knowing the dangers and
accepting the risks. A novice might not be aware of the dangers, or have
the appropriate reactions, stamina, backup gear and know-how for use in
poor conditions. I was really impressed with a private e-mail from a fellow
Paddlewiser recently, who said he hadn't got out much lately, due to the
fact that nobody was around to go out with (I'm assuming he meant this for
safety reasons).

Almost all of my close calls have been solo.Some have been with others too.
I don't want to get the solo debate going again. I just think a lot of
prudence is required until you develop a "big picture" mentality. I'm
having a hard time indicating in words what I mean hear overall with this
post on safety. Perhaps some of our more elite scribes like Ralph can help
me out here. What I'm trying to say is that when the you- know-what hits
the fan, and it will if you push "adventure paddling" too far and too fast,
an average new paddler has a very difficult time "thinking outside the box"
as it were. If they get caught in a tide race, offshore breeze, or bail in
heavy weather, they often just give up way too early - its a process hard
to quantify here.

There are often a number of possible solutions to a dilemma, but panic may
overcome you too readily.  I've mentioned thinking in 3-D on this list
before. Its much more difficult to manipulate spatial relationships in your
mind when you are a new paddler or in a panic mode. With experience,
training, testing, and gently gaining control in rougher situations, you
are better able to keep out of trouble in the first place by correlating
chart information with weather and tide information and your abilities. And
then my point, you are also better able to deal with consequences when
something does go wrong.

I liken something going drastically wrong at sea, to what it must be like
if you suddenly find out you have a serious disease, or perhaps even like
when you get mugged and someone stabs you. A friend who had this happen to
him, said the weirdest part was that moment when the knife penetrates and
you suddenly realize something terribly awful is actually, really
happening. I just don't think new to intermediate paddlers know what that
is like and how to deal with it when it does happen. Hope that makes some
sense.

And if you want me to continue to be part of Paddlewise, you will just have
to put up with me and some of my ramblings and dangerous paddle-play
antics, because that is part of who I am. I just don't want to be accused
by our list mom or anyone else of promoting unsafe paddling practices to
newer, impressionable paddlers. Thanks for listening.

BC'in Ya
Doug Lloyd (whose in a reflective mood tonight) 

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