[Paddlewise] Nearly fatal

>But how many kayak shops advise, or newbies
> consider, that a boat without proper equipment is just a floating coffin?
> 
> - -Nick


I have to chime in here and say that the one I sometimes work in does. We
don't use such frightening terms, but we do tell new customers what is what
in clear, unadorned language that cannot be misinterpreted by anyone the
inherent dagers of paddling small boats uninformed, in cold water, wind and
currents. We sell them pumps, skirts, floatbags and wet or drysuits when
possible, as they are comitted to purchasing the kayak or canoe already in
their minds and consider these accessories, like the paddle and PFD once
they hear our safety talk. We tell them that we are not trying to make more
sales, but want to be assured that they will return to their families at
the end of a day out, not show up on the evening news. If they are wanting
to demo a boat and the water is cold, we give them a rental drysuit and
tell them exactly why they are to wear it.

Some stare at me wide-eyed (deer-in-the-headlights) and get what I'm
saying, are grateful for the candor and concern for their safety. Some wear
the Invulnerability Armor, which I sometimes poke holes in with my Terror
On The Hudson story, some of you may remember told here two years ago.
After hearing it, those macho-types usually think twice, if not cave and
just buy the safety gear.

At the minimum, we hand out bright orange flyers with every boat sale, or
inquiry that seems serious, or to anyone asking for a store brochure, too,
and that orange flyer is all about cold shock and hypothermia written in
unmitigating terms. These are also in the brochure rack at the front door.

I don't know which dealer sold that Loon, but I can guess, as there aren't
that many around, esp. near Debbie to get demo boats from. They are much
bigger than we are and it seems to me if a customer dies they stand to lose
more than a settlement in a lawsuit, there's the bad press and reputaion,
too.

I see people in cotton street clothes a lot on cold water, many times
without PFDs. I assess them as I get near, sometimes I give them the talk,
sometimes I paddle on saying nothing. It's not an easy choice to make, the
latter, but there are people who will react with hodtility no matter how
you couch your advice and concern and I can see that it'd be a waste of my
time. Darwin Awards contestants...


Paul Hollerbach, survivor of his own stupidity (but just barely)
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