[Paddlewise] Part II: A trip that could've gone wrong

Here some honesty will rear its ugly head:

Ryan had a drytop and sprayskirt, but nothing but cotton clothing
underneath.  I did not notice that when we departed; I saw his drytop
and assumed he was similarly clad underneath.  I didn't notice until the
lunch stop that he didn't have any cold water protection on the bottom. 
He was also wearing aqua-sock type shoes and had cold feet the entire
time (I learned later on the ride home).  Also, since he'd been race
training on a river, he had worn only a thin polypro shirt under the
drytop as in his previous "go-go-go" experience, anything else had been
too hot, and an accident would simply result in a cold wade to shore.  

This in and of itself might not have been a problem if he had a
bombproof roll ("the Malagiaq/native Greenlander factor") but he
didn't.  Capsize in his case would have meant getting quite wet.

I was the "expert", the "pro", so to speak, and I probably should've
looked a little closer before we departed.  While quite skilled at boat
handling, he has little self-rescue practice--I should probably require
that as a prerequisite of all my partners before a trip.  I feel
confident that I could've gotten him back in his boat, pumped it out,
and paddled back to shore, but after a capsize, that would have been an
extremely miserable trip for him.

In light of our previous "Nearly Fatal" discussion, Ryan's personal
responsibility, as Rob has stated, could have kept him from risking such
a paddle.  I, however, also feel responsible, as someone who knew
better, but should've done better.  I wasn't the only one wrong, but I
was wrong.  Fortunately nothing went wrong and I didn't have to find out
how bad things could've gotten.

I also think Matt, the shop owner is responsible (morally).  He knows
Ryans strengths and weaknesses and the fact that he doesn't own a
paddlefloat or pump.  He should probably require demo'ers of his boats
to have basic safety equipment/rent it with the boats/rent it at a small
additional price.  Neglecting all moral or legal arguments and
considerations, there still remains a simple fact:  if a rescue or other
Bad Thing had occurred, it could have meant some loss or damage to his
property (the boat), and I would think there would be some impetus to
protect that.

What I intend to do about it:
Saturday's trip is over and done with.  I can't change anything there,
but I can change what will happen again.  I value Ryan's company, and I
think he'll make a great paddling partner.  I will attend roll practices
with him and teach him self rescues and rolling skills (if he wants to
learn that skill).  I will also tell him that he needs to have a
pump/paddlefloat, and better leg immersion protection before we do that
type of trip again.

I will also have a conversation with Matt, and ask him what can be done
as far as safety equipment with demo/rental boats.

Any suggestions as to how I can gently state my intentions to these
two?  They are both friends and do value my advice.  I guess I'm going
to have to take my own advice given in the "Nearly Fatal" thread and
start with education right in my own back yard.  

Shawn 
hanging his head--all comments (good or bad) expected
-- 
Shawn W. Baker          0                                    46°53'N
© 2000            ____©/______                              114°06'W
~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^\  ,/      /~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^
baker_at_montana.com    0        http://www.missoulaconcrete.com/shawn/
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