I just read a good analysis of a recent NTSB report at http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2000/07/15/ntsb/print.html and it got me thinking... As a low-time (500 hr) tailwheel aircraft pilot and a lifelong recreational sailor I really appreciate all the recent discussion here on Paddlewise surrounding the "go/no-go" decision-making process. It all boils down to having enough information ahead of time to be able to properly assess the risks. Pilots seem to enjoy easier access to a far greater range of weather service products than most boaters do and our training emphasizes maintaining awareness of our limitations (both human and mechanical). It is said, "I'd rather be down here, wishing I was up there than the other way around." I wonder (rhetorically) how much of this sort of thinking about risk assesment really gets encouraged by the recreational paddlesport industry. My own feeling is "not enough." Given that consumer access to equipment is through the main street retail-sales channel and not restricted to a relative few-and-far-between airports with a centralized oversight body this isn't likely to ever change. Add to this the fact that the cost of access to kayaking is vastly lower than to flying and we're likely to keep seeing a relatively higher incident rate that aviation does. How can we reduce our risk? It's easy. Seek out and listen to the wisdom of those who have greater experience than our own. Learn as much as possible about the whole environment (daylight, tide/current, wx progs, water temp, etc, etc) before you launch. Know your own limitations and don't expect someone else will be there and able to carry you when you fall. But above all, enjoy the being-here more than the getting-there. I've been lurking here for about a year and I just want to thank everyone for their collective wisdom... sometimes I think this list should be called "Worldwise" ;] --allan Marlboro, VT (where I can't get nearly enough salt in my diet) *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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