Re: [Paddlewise] Nearly Fatal

Debbie,
 Wow, what a powerful story. Sort of says a lot in a short space. For the
retailer who sent you out in test kayaks without checking them, great way to
make a potential sale, wouldn't you say? For the sale to a new guy without
proper safety gear or instruction- refer to the bicycling community where
litigation is costing manufacturers and retailers money and leading to
stupidity like requiring lights on all bikes sold with no regard for bicycle
usage or light capacity.
  For the club and the show, how do you measure the cost benefit ratio of
one life saved? Remember, the new guy (or lady) who gets the right training
and equipment may keep paddling (and buying stuff like most of us) and will
certainly act as an example to others, just by "doing it right". The level
of activism you decide on should be whatever you are comfortable with--
Ralph's recent story of harassment can serve as a cautionary tale here-- but
the questions are simple ones: If not me, who? If not now, when? I don't
want to sound preachy, I think you are just venting, which is very
necessary, especially in the face of all that accumulated ineptitude and
lack of care.
   Basically safety is a lot like the environmental cause mantra "Think
globally, act locally." You did that, good on you. Keep fighting the good
fight!
R/
Kevin

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