Re: [Paddlewise] How Would You: Change to. . . .PFD

   We have been through this all before. I have always taken the position 
that PFD's are not necessarily necessary, and have had to endure the back 
channel threats to my life as a result. You will find that, on this subject 
particularly, most people on this list are quite narrow minded and not even 
willing to consider that there can be some exceptions to the rule. Oh well. 
I'm up for the fight.

<< I really don't think that is true. Read the CG fatality reports,
 especially recreational boaters on inland waterways. Most fatalities,
 except in serious white water, were not wearing PFDs. Not for any of the
 rational reasons you've cited, just ignorance and belief that they didn't
 need it. "Hell, I can swim." Famous last words."

   Statistics can be so much fun! For instance, IF most boaters are not 
wearing PFD's, then it would be logical to assume that most boating 
fatalities would not be wearing PFD's either. It does not necessarily imply 
that had they been wearing a PFD they would not have become a fatality! OK, 
so you qualified this statement by saying "except for whitewater." So I can 
assume that most whitewater fatalities are wearing PFD's? Can I therefore 
assume that I have a greater chance of survival in whitewater by not wearing 
a PFD then I would if I were wearing one? I mean, just look at the statistics!
 
 
 <>

   I do not believe it is really possible in most scenarios to state 
unequivocally that this person would have survived had they been wearing a 
PFD, or that person would not have survived had they not been wearing one. We 
will no doubt get any number of anecdotal stories from people who claim that 
they are alive today as a result of wearing their PFD. The fact is that one 
has no way of actually knowing whether or not they might have survived just 
the same had they not been wearing their PFD.
   Please understand I am not trying to make a case against PFD's here. I do 
believe that most people should be wearing a PFD most of the time while 
participating in this sport. My position has always been simply that there 
are some legitimate exceptions to the rule.

Duck and cover!

Scott
So.Cal.
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