In a message dated 4/3/00 4:48:25 PM, postmaster_at_eskapekayak.com writes: << So you might be surprised that this "keen" paddler never leaves shore without his paddlefloat. Although I doubt I'll ever have to use it, it seems like a wise decision to carry one as a back up. But then I'm the sort of obsessive personality that goes so far as to carry a spare tire in his car and a jack, even though I haven't had a flat tire in years, so you'll have to take what I say with a grain of salt. >> Roger,..... I can't believe you are suggesting that rolling sea kayakers should carry paddle floats as back-ups. This is just the kind of obsession with safety that jeopardizes sea kayaking's hard-fought image as a group of ne'r do wells risking life and limb for some death wish driven search for cheap adrenaline rushes. My own paddlefloat sees such little use that I almost forget that it's on my back deck. I'm sure that in a real emergency that I could never find the deployment instructions in time. "Roll or Die" is our motto. OK, enough of the attempt at humor. As I practice more and more different kinds of rolls in worsening conditions, I sometimes feel a pang of guilt for not practicing rough water paddle float rescues more often. As you so eloquently pointed out, the more dangerous the conditions, the greater the possibility of a failed self rescue. Just as a dedicated roller will strive to learn every imaginable roll, any truly dedicated kayaker would seek to master all forms of self rescue, in all conditions. I fully expect to swim someday, not because my roll might fail but rather because I have to assist a fellow paddler and the only way to help them is to be in the water. I can't imagine the circumstances that might precipitate such a need, but neither can I convince myself that the possibility will never arise. So I too, always carry a paddle float, in my case on the back deck. Not for myself, but for emergency assistance to another paddler. But if I do ever need it, it will be right there where one hand can grab in under 3 seconds. And if I do ever get sick or injured at sea, it will be right where I need it, when I need it. The paddle float has many non-emergency uses as well, I can't image paddling without one. Thanks for your thoughtful and thought-provoking post. Jed *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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